Page 71 of Last First Date

I took a deep breath, and the scent of hairspray and anticipation filled my lungs. I told myself I could do this. I was going to walk down the runway and walk back. I wasn’t going to make eye contact with anyone.

“Ladies!” A woman with a clipboard walked into the room. “Everyone, you know what order we’re going in. Take your places.”

The backstage crew ushered us toward the entrance. I stepped into the dimly lit corridor that led to where the runway was set up. The hum of the crowd intensified. The announcer gave a little speech. The music started and the lights went out a moment before I saw the glow of the spotlight filter into the area.

Laura squeezed my hand. “You’re going to do fine. This is supposed to be fun. Don’t overthink it.”

One after another, the other ladies stepped out onto the runway. Soon, it was my turn. I swallowed the nerves and stepped out. The runway stretched out before me. The audience was a sea of faces. I didn’t look at anyone. I took one step after another. As I walked, confidence surged. I was doing it. I was walking the runway in lingerie. It was exhilarating.

I made my way backstage and had to stifle a scream. I was giddy.

“You’re a natural,” Laura declared and gave me a hug. “How do you feel?”

“I feel like I’ve swallowed a lightning bolt.” I giggled. “I’m so excited. I can understand why you guys do what you do. That was incredible.”

The rest of the night was a whirlwind. I went back out on the runway several more times, each walk more confident than the last. The adrenaline rush was intoxicating, and I found myself riding the high of it all. The announcer’s voice blended with the beat of the music, creating a rhythm that I found myself walking to.

Backstage, there were quick changes, constant touch-ups, and whispered words of encouragement. Through it all, Laura was by my side.

At the end of the show, backstage was once again chaos, but this time, it was celebrating. I was caught up in the excitement when Knox walked in.

He handed me a dozen red roses. “Congratulations on your runway debut,” he said. “You nailed it. How did it feel?”

I smiled. “I don’t know. I’m still kind of numb.”

Laura approached. “Your girlfriend is a natural,” she said.

“Yes, she is.” Knox nodded. He didn’t correct Laura’s assumption.

“I hope we’ll get to do shows in the future together,” Laura said.

I laughed. “Thanks, but this was it for me.”

“Too bad,” Laura said, smiling.

After she walked away, Knox looked at me.

“You were fantastic,” he praised. “You killed it.”

“You sound surprised.”

“Honestly, I am, not because I doubted you, but you looked like you’ve been doing the runway thing for years. My first trip down a runway was not that smooth. I’m saying you did great.”

“Really?”

“I didn’t expect you to own the runway like that,” he admitted. “You owned it.”

The compliment lingered in the air. I felt sexy. “I should change.”

“I’ll be waiting,” he said. The way he said it made me feel like he was staking a claim. I didn’t mind.

I changed into one of the new outfits and returned to the celebration. Champagne had been opened and everyone was drinking and toasting. Knox spotted me almost immediately. He approached me, giving me a glass of champagne.

“I’m guessing you’re starving, right?”

I grinned. “I think I’m still a little too amped up.”

“Well, you’ll need to eat something,” he insisted, steering me toward a table laden with food. There were bite-sized sandwiches, little appetizers, and an array of desserts.