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The man left, and we tried to find a way out, but the smoke was already so thick it was nearly too late for us. I don't know how, but Heath carried me out of there to safety before we went up in flames with the factory.
"We can't live in fear of the past, can we, and besides, I didn't die that day. You saved me. I know most of this town hates this site because it holds terrible memories of the lives who were lost and all the jobs too, when the factory wasn't ever rebuilt, but to me, it's kind of special. You saved my life that night. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, and having my warehouse here reminds me of that."
"I knew I loved you that night," he tells me softly.
"We were kids." I smile, only half believing him. I know how close we were, but we didn't know what real love was. How could we?
"I know, but I did." He wraps his arms around me, bringing me in for a passionate kiss. Like he is trying to show me just how much he loved me and still does. Or maybe he still feels guilty about his overreaction to Julian. And he should, I'm not putting up with that possessive shit now that I'm older. And all the stuff he threw at me on the plane—moving in, babies—my mind is spinning with it all. Maybe he let Julian get in his head, saying that he should make the most of his time with me, but those were just stupid empty words. Julian has no say in my love life, and he never would. I'm with Heath for the long haul, if he can just settle down a bit.
I slip my hand into his, wanting to deal with us but knowing I need to sort out my business first. As I walk with him through the front entry of the building, I realize just what Summer was talking about on the phone. This place is buzzing with energy, boxes ready to ship out stacked high by the loading bay door. There are more people here than I have ever seen before; I have no idea where she found them all at such short notice, but I'm glad she did. Walking into this scene should stress me out, but it doesn't. This is my dream, to have such a thriving business. I'm not scared of a bit of hard work, bring it on. I just hope Summer is okay.
I spot her holding a clipboard and calling out instructions to a group of warehouse staff, and her eyes meet mine, her face brightening as she shuffles over to us, her heels clicking along the concrete floor. "Thank God you’re home. This is crazy, Millie."
I take the clipboard from her and glance over it. She thinks it's chaos, but Summer is the most organized person I know, and from the looks of it, she already has everything under control. Most of the orders are already ticked off as being packed and sent out to the stores. "Looks like you have it sorted." I smile back at her, feeling guilty she has had to deal with it alone.
She takes back the clipboard like it's her security blanket and holds it to her chest. "I'm catching up, should have everything out by tonight. Thank God we already finished your latest collection because I have done nothing over at the studio this week. I think we need a catch-up, just the two of us, to go over how we’ll deal with this going forward. I haven't had a chance to read the article yet, but if a few words can send our customers into such a frenzy, what's going to happen when you launch your new collection?" She looks at Heath like she has just realized he's also standing with me, her eyes slowly inspecting him.
Yeah, I know he is hot, Summer, but keep your eyes off him, I tell her with one look. "I haven't properly introduced you two, have I. Summer, this is Heath."
"Oh, I know who he is." She holds out a hand enthusiastically for him to shake.
"Nice to properly meet you, Summer. Millie says she would be lost without you. Thank you for taking care of everything around here for her while we were away. I'm sorry the article caused such a frenzy."
Summer gives me a “we need to talk” kind of look, and I just smile sweetly at her. I'd say she is not only wondering why Heath is here with me today but why he just said while we were away. "Frenzy is good for business, we just weren't prepared," she tells him.
"Going forward we will be. I think it's time we hired a few more people to help us. We also have the Blanchet collaboration now, so looks like we're going international," I say with so much excitement in my voice, I think I could explode. I have been dying to tell her. This is as much a win for her as it is for me. Our little label we started out of my garage only a few years ago with just the two of us has now exceeded both our expectations.
She squeals and hugs me. "This is all so exciting, Millie. Can't wait to catch up about it all tomorrow. Better get back to it."
I give her a squeeze. "I couldn't have done any of it without you, Summer."
"I know. See you later, Heath." She starts to walk back toward the office.
"Summer, if you're okay here, I'll head back to the studio to catch up on everything over there," I call to her.
"Take those couple of boxes with you if you can. They’re running low on almost everything in the boutique." She turns to get back to it, then turns back like she just remembered something. "There is also a parcel for you on your desk." She shrugs. "No idea who it's from. It was sitting there on the back doorstep when I opened up the boutique with the girls this morning."
"Okay, thanks," I say, taking Heath’s hand in mine. This is all so exhilarating. How is this my life? Dating a rock star, my fashion label blowing up, traveling around the world meeting with other designers. I feel so lucky. Now I just need to sort out the studio and get my kids from Mom and Dad's place. I'm dying to see their little faces.
HEATH
Whenwearriveatthe Artemis design studio and shopfront, there is a lineup of people waiting to get into the boutique. We have about an hour before the kids are finished at school for the day, and Amelia wanted to get a head start on everything she's missed while she was away. But this is crazy. We pull the car around the back of the building and park away from all the people.
She turns to me, her eyes wide. "What the fuck. This is insane," she squeals. She looks energized, but once reality hits, I'm sure the thrill of being known everywhere you go and on show constantly will wear thin. I just hope she's strong enough to suffer through it for me. That we can be resilient enough as a couple to survive the reality of it all.
I walk around to the trunk of the car, taking the boxes of extra stock and carrying them toward the building. "Welcome to the world of fame, baby. You better get used to it; people know you're with me now. Your life will never be the same again."
She lets us in the back door. "Just leave those boxes over here. I'll get one of my shop assistants to unpack them and put everything on the shop floor as soon as they can.” I put them down where she tells me, and she presses the elevator button for her design studio floor. "Is this what it was like for you? This instant buzz?"
"Kind of. I guess we had a little more time to get used to it. And the last couple of years have been the most insane, when people have just decided they have the rights to some part of me. Hopefully this will be a positive for you. It's certainly working out that way for your stores."
"I couldn't have created this much hype about my brand doing anything else. You really are adored by all." She laughs, striding through her office like she's on a mission. She has such an air of confidence when she's in this place.
"Yeah." I smile, but I know it can’t have looked sincere. Being loved by all isn't as good as it sounds. Not with the dark side that comes with it. "Maybe I should come and work for you, now that you're so busy," I suggest, not really joking.
She's at her desk flicking through the mail but looks up at me, a brow raised. "Yeah, that would be fun for you," she says, her voice filled with sarcasm.
I go to stand behind her. "It would be if I got to spend more time with you." I wrap my arms around her, kissing her cheek. "You said you need more help. I can be very helpful."
