Page 93 of All the Drama from New York

Her early pregnancy days of throwing up were blessedly behind her, but at the mention of her parents a wave of nausea washed over Camille. Her mother and father were yet to be informed that they were going to be grandparents.

Later. I will deal with all that later.

“Hang on, so you’ve met my parents?” The fact that Ryan had offered for them to sit elsewhere meant he had to have spoken to at least one of them.

“Yes, I did. I met Marina and François. Only briefly to introduce myself. They seemed nice enough people. They said they’d wait until after the show to see you. Your father mentioned something about letting you focus on the job at hand.”

Her parents of course would be polite and well-mannered in public. But what would they say when they learned that the connection between Ryan and their daughter was now a permanent one?

Later. I will deal with all of that later.

Camille shot a pleading look in Bryce’s direction, and her cousin nodded. “Vivian and I will go sit with your folks. I’m sure they are both thrilled that you have made it this far.”

Ryan led Camille over to a chair which was set in front of an oversized monitor. He helped her to sit and get comfortable. It was like having a mother hen fussing over her, but she wasn’t complaining.

I love this man.

She’d spent the last hour checking the models and their outfits, making sure everything was perfect. Now it was time to step back and let her beautifully tailored collection speak for itself. Let Ryan manage the show.

“The feed from the cameras will display on this screen, so you will see exactly what everyone watching the livestream gets to see. When Prince Charming and the Cinderellas have all come off stage, I’ll come and get you. Then you can walk down the runway and acknowledge the crowd.”

Camille’s heart swelled with deep affection. How lucky was she to have this man—this wonderful man—here with her?

“Thank you. I mean it. Thank you for getting me. Us. To this day. I don’t think I could have done it without you.”

He bent and kissed her lips. “You are a brilliant fashion designer, Camille; you would have made it with or without me. But I’m certainly glad to be here. I love you.”

The opening beats ofMaterial Girlfrom the 2021Cinderellamovie filled the room, and Ryan took a step back. “Time to go. See you after the show.”

Taking a deep breath, Camille turned to face the monitor. Everything for the next half an hour was in the hands of the gods. And Ryan.

The models they’d hired were the absolute picture of professionalism. They’d not only learned the choreography for the Cinderella in the City themed show, but as they walked the runway, they added sass and big city energy to their characters. Camille’s clothes shone even brighter than they had during rehearsals.

The audience was soon caught up in the story of Cinderella being lost in the city and Prince Charming the cab driver trying to return her glass slipper. Of course one by one all of the Cinderellas fell in love with the secret prince.

And to the audiences’ delight, they each rejected his marriage proposal. They would rather keep wearing their Camille Royal clothes and have their own careers.

Ryan chuckled as one smartass in the crowd called out. “Don’t pick the prince. He’ll expect you to clean his dusty old castle!”

The Prince Charming who they’d managed to source from the recent graduating class of the famous Juilliard School was the other shining star of the day. He hit his mark every time his fake New York cab came to a halt on the main stage.

The clever lines he improvised into the show soon had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. This was an actor destined for greatness.

Just remember to thank Camille in your Oscar speech when you win.

At the end of the show, the Cinderellas and Prince Charming all did their final walk throughs, then gathered center stage.

Ryan raced over to Camille, and led her to the runway before stepping back to join with the rest of the audience as they applauded her show.

To see her ready to wear clothing range received with such genuine appreciation, had Ryan blinking back a tear. She was talented, and she’d worked incredibly hard. All of today was for her. The woman he loved. The woman who’d given him a chance at finding his true purpose.

Camille shot him a nervous grin then stepped onto the runway to thunderous applause.

Camille’s heart was beating fast. She’d dreamt of this day since she was a little girl. Watching her father’s collection beingshowcased during Paris Fashion week each year, Camille had always known this was her destiny. And now she’d finally arrived.

Her first runway show in New York.

After bowing to the audience, she turned and held up her hand to acknowledge the models. The Cinderellas were all applauding.

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