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I know a vodka sunrise when I smell it.
My blood boils immediately. I turn and look at one of the models in pure anger. My heart surges and wrath floods my veins. Except …
Her face is angelic. Pure beauty. My heart flips from anger to confusion, then to pure lust. I don’t recall seeingherout the back. I don’t recall seeing her face in the booklet we had for vetted models either. But she definitely must be one of ours. She’s amazing. She’s—I feel like an idiot all of a sudden. I can’t even find words to describe how beautiful she is and can only stare like an idiot.
Then I remember who I am.
Then I remember that she’s just spilt a fucking six-dollar drink on my twenty-grand tailored suit.
“What the fuck are you doing out here?” I snap. “Why aren’t you behind the curtain getting ready with the other models?”
But her face just turns white. She points to herself and stutters, “Me?”
Chapter 3
Sophie
Hisfaceislivid,a demon staring deep into my eyes. I’d shake if I wasn’t so scared. The music swells louder and louder until the synth bloom cuts out.
It’s complete silence for a split second.
Just as he yells, “Did I fucking stutter?”
I flinch, and a few people turn but the music kicks back in and models flood the stage. The show has begun!
I’m wide eyed and completely unsure of what is happening. “I’m—I’m not a model,” I stammer. “I’m just here for Piovere,” I gesture at the stage.
His head swivels around, then back to me, eyes bulging. Realization floods his face. And suddenly, instead of a demon I’m looking at what could only be described as a god. He’s simply beautiful. His chiseled jaw and slicked back hair. His mouth is gaping open and his cheeks have flushed red.
“I’m so sorry,” he says, leaning towards my ear. “I just assumed you were in our show because you’re so beautiful.”
“Yourshow?” I whisper. He grunts that he didn’t hear me. “I said, I didn’t realize this was your show.”
He waves me off and says something under his breath. “Let me buy you a drink.” He directs me towards the bar and we cut through the sea of people. His grip is firm butnothard. He keeps looking at me out the side of his eye, a small grin sitting on his lips. Lips I’d love to taste—
Sophie!I chide myself. Then I realize I’ve just told myself off for liking a man.Oh god, I really am a prude.I laugh and wish that Mimi could hear what I was thinking. The man thinks I’m laughing at something though and leans in towards me. “Sorry?” he says.
“Nothing,” I say. “I’m just so happy I’m at a Piovere show. I’ve dreamed of coming to one of their catwalks forever. I love the brand and Tommy Lippee. I’ve wanted to be a fashion designer my whole life.”
His face lights up. “Well maybe after I buy you a drink I can introduce you to Tommy.”
My brain goes blank—like a friggin empty hall! There’s dust and everything coming out of the woodwork, stopping me from speaking anything intelligible. So instead of thanking him, I babble like an idiot. He just laughs.
“You’re welcome,” he smiles, and it is the warmest thing I’ve ever experienced.
We get to the bar and he signals to the manager, she grins and leans in. He orders something for us and she looks at me with apprehension, then walks off. Apparently not too impressed.
“My friend thinks you’re underage,” he says. “You’re not, are you?”
“No,” I say quickly. A little too quickly probably. Can he tell I’ve barely ever been out. As in,never.“I mean,” I say, more casually. “I’m twenty-two.”
His eyes light up, and his tongue flicks out, licking the corner of his lips. “And do you always spill your drinks on men?”
“No, but not all men are worth spilling their drink on. Not all men know Tommy Lippee.”Where the hell did that come from?I’m about to excuse myself and fall into the ground with embarrassment, when he laughs again.
Even over the music his laughter is like the sweetest bell I’ve ever heard. My heart flutters and I can’t believe I’m standing here with him. I can’t believe he hasn’t fled fromme.
“No, I suppose not,” he says. His friend returns and gives us our drinks. “I’ve ordered you another sunrise,” he says. “Since your last one spilled, I figure you deserve to try at least one of the drinks in our establishment.”
