Page 55 of Pretend To Be Mine

He left before I could respond, which was probably smart because I didn’t have a response.

Was I in too deep?

I watched Elizabeth laugh at something one of the models said. She wiped her cheek where some chalk dust had been sitting for the last fifteen minutes. She glanced over her shoulder and caught me watching. Did she feel my eyes on her? She flashed a quick smile and went back to work.

Yeah. I was definitely in too deep.

If Chris hadn’t suggested his sister and I’d gone with some professional actress or a stranger, the situation would all be so much simpler. Clear boundaries and no complications.

But then I wouldn’t have met Elizabeth. I wouldn’t have the strange feeling in my chest every time she looked at me.

I felt a little bad about sleeping with my friend’s sister. That was a line I’d never thought I would cross. But after watching Elizabeth work, seeing her in her element, being near her? Wild horses couldn’t stop me from being with her now.

I headed over to where she was working, unable to stay away any longer.

“How’s it going?” I asked.

She looked up, and the smile she gave me was different from the professional one she’d been giving everyone else. This one was just for me—warm and a little bit wicked, like she was remembering our time together.

“It’s going great. These dresses are incredible, Adrian.” She gestured at the garment she was adjusting. “This is why I wanted to work in fashion. This level of craft.”

“You’re fitting in pretty well.” I kept my voice low, aware of all the people around us. “Annika’s impressed. She told me you caught three potential issues before they became problems.”

She shrugged modestly. “I’m just doing what I can to help.”

“You’re doing more than that.” I wanted to touch her and pull her close. Instead, I slid my hands in my pockets. “Thank you for being here. For wanting to be part of this.”

“Are you kidding? This is a dream.” She glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “Though I’m having trouble concentrating when you keep looking at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re remembering what I look like without these jeans on.”

Heat shot through me. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m being completely professional.”

“Sure you are.” She turned back to her work, but I could see her fighting a smile.

Before I could respond to that, Annika called for her help with another fitting, and Elizabeth moved away, leaving me standing there like an idiot with my heart racing and my dick semi-hard.

Two more days until opening night.

What scared me was figuring out what happened after everything ended. I had spent the last year playing it safe and being responsible. I hadn’t bothered dating because it felt like it would be a distraction. But maybe it could be a bonus.

Elizabeth understood what I did on a level no one else I ever dated did or ever would. She would understand the three-day work marathons before a show. She would understand the risk of stepping outside the fashion box.

She would be a partner in every sense of the word.

18

ELIZABETH

With less than a day until opening night, I walked into the venue with Adrian and was in awe. It was still a construction zone but I could see the end game. It was so exciting to be a part of the process. To get to see how it all came together. Everyone was busting their asses to get everything just right.

The runway stretched down the center of the space, elevated and polished to a mirror shine. Enormous screens flanked either side, currently displaying the Blackwell logo in slow rotation. The lighting rig overhead looked like something from a stadium concert, capable of creating any mood and atmosphere.

Backstage was controlled chaos. Racks of gowns lined the walls, each one protected by a garment bag and labeled with the model’s name. Makeup stations had been set up in rows, each one equipped with professional lighting and enough products to stock a Sephora. Hair stations occupied another section. And everywhere—absolutely everywhere—people were moving around setting up, testing, and preparing.

I stood off to the side, trying to stay out of the way while simultaneously trying to take in every single detail. I wasn’t sure if I would ever get the chance to be a part of something like this again. I wanted to remember every detail.