Page 32 of Say It Isn't So

Did you hear that? I wanted to move on.

I had been given somewhat of a second chance here, right? So, I would see it for what it was and forget everything else. It had been two years, sure, but Knox was still Knox and we still had this easiness about us that just made sense.

I held up my phone as the first model walked out.

* * *

The entire presentation was striking—breathtaking, really. To be frank, I was shocked the designs came from a new designer. The sheer level of skill and consideration for detail that we’d seen was normally reserved for seasoned designers.

I leaned over and whispered to Knox, “That was incredible. Whoever this Rina woman is made a big splash.”

Knox nodded, shifting in his seat. “Sure did. This is going to be in every publication known to man.”

As we watched the last model exit the stage, the audience collectively waited with bated breath to clap for the designer’s walkout moment.

* * *

Rina

I didn’t need anyone to tell me what I already knew—it had gone marvelously.

Forget about Stefan or anyone else.Mypresentation was going to be the one to remember from this LFW.

The last model walked toward me and smiled. “That was amazing, Rina.”

I placed a hand up before she could get another word in. “Shh,” I tried silencing her further. “I don’t want to miss the cue for my walkout.”

She must’ve left because when I turned around no one was there but one of my stylists. “It’s time,” he said.

I nodded and put one foot in front of the other as I walked out to the crowd—all here forme, to seemycollection.

I arched my back to make my entrance. When they saw me, they’d be seeing the face of the up-and-coming designer, Rina Levana.

* * *

Knox

The music turned off and it grew quiet before—

“Oh, no,” Bianca whispered.

I followed her gaze.

She was looking at the floor.

“My phone,” she explained and pointed under my chair to where it had fallen.

“I’ve got it,” I told her and extended my arm down, my hand under my chair to retrieve it. My attention was on her phone when a loud round of applause exploded through the venue.

With the phone in my hand, I quickly sat up and moved to pass it back to Bianca. She was the only one hardly clapping, though, her hands as frozen as her expression. She looked shocked, her mouth forming a complete O as her gaze was transfixed on the stage. What was—

I didn’t need to finish that question because as soon as I turned and looked at the stage, I understood.

It was like I was seeing a ghost.

Suddenly, it was two years ago.

If you need to reach me, call my parents. They’ll be able to get in touch with me in Spain.Those had been the last words Rina spoke to me. It was my last memory of her before I’d turned and left her standing in our apartment with her bags packed, ready to leave us and the life we had been starting to make in New York. Together.

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