Page 113 of Flare

“Thanks,” I said, meaning it for once. Maybe I’d misjudged him, after all. Then again, even arseholes had their moments, right?

“You’re welcome.” He kept his eyes on the line-up, directing a couple of the models as they passed.

“They’ll get there,” I said, keeping my eye on the passing parade. “I had a few late changes that are throwing out the rhythm.”

“Oh, so there was a rhythm buried in there somewhere, was there?” He smirked. “Who knew?”

And he was back. “Fuck off,” I grumbled. “And what’s this?” I reached for his lanyard. “Barnaby? I thought you were booked with Gloria?”

He shrugged. “When she pulled out, I had to pivot, and Barnaby asked first.”

I jerked around to face him. “Gloria pulled out?”

He flicked a shuttered glance my way. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know. She withdrew this morning. All that bad publicity. The organisers didn’t want it tainting the show. Thought you’d know all about it after that little stunt you pulled.”

“Excuse me?” I bristled.

He rolled his eyes and sniffed. “We both know those images didn’t just appear from nowhere, Rhys. And we alsobothknow your store was suffering.”

Oh no, you fucking don’t. I narrowed my gaze and faced him straight on. “In that case, I think we alsobothknow that Gloria didn’t come up with those designs on her own. She took them from my line and was flogging them off so cheap, I couldn’t compete.”

A few of the models shot concerned glances at my raised voice and the line-up wobbled a little.

Shayne waved a dismissive hand. “It happens, get over it. Gloria’s paid her dues. She’s earned the right tobendthe rules a little. Your feet aren’t even wet, Rhys. I’m simply saying you need to be careful, that’s all.” His gaze swept the room. “Just a bit of friendly advice.”

I followed his gaze through the crowded event space, and for the first time, I noticed a few chilly looks being sent my way. Not everyone. There were some sympathetic smiles in there, as well. But okay, I suddenly got where Shayne was coming from. Still...

“Be that as it may,” I said coolly, “it wasmylabel being ripped off.Mybusiness suffering.Mycareer. I wasn’t going to simply standby and let Gloria walk all over my big opportunity just because she’s been around longer. Did you know she had an almost direct copy of the pivotal piece of my collection and that she was going to rack it last week, before the show? That’s notbendingthe rules, Shayne, that’s deliberate ugly sabotage.”

He shrugged. “He said, she said. It doesn’t really matter. It wasn’t like the committee sided with you, Rhys. It had its hands forced. All the twenty-somethings up in arms on social media? Fucking protesters outside her damn shop? What the hell is wrong with people? The big labels do this kind of thing all the time.”

I shook my head. “That’s changing and you know it. No one’s saying designers don’t borrow from each other or that fashion doesn’t repeat itself, but we all know that’s not what happened here.”

He huffed. “Maybe not. But don’t go thinking the organisers are happy about it. You’ve caused them a lot of troubleandcost them a big name from their line-up. And I saw Gloria talking to the media at lunch, so don’t expect to get away without a bit of mud slung your way as well. Gloria doesn’t take things lying down. You of all people should know that. I’m still rooting for you, of course, but good luck with the reviews for your show. You’re gonna need it.”

Fuck.I tried not to react but there was more than a grain of truth in what Shayne said. How the hell had I missed hearing about Gloria? Because I’d been consumed by worry about the show and about Beck and Jack and whether I’d fucked things up between us, that’s how.Son of a bitch.If I truly had that dragon Beck insisted he saw in me, he’d chosen the absolute worst fucking time to go on vacation.

I was saved from having to respond by Shayne’s sudden shift in attention. Alec had begun his solo walk and I realised Shayne hadn’t yet seen the man on point.

Tall, blond, and effortlessly sexy, Alec glided down the catwalk drawing every eye in the room including Shayne’s. I took a sneaky look around and smiled at the sight of several big-name designers with their gazes fixed on my lead model’s tall athletic frame. Thank God I’d kept him as a ring-in and not encouraged him to go for the general call. No one could take him from me.

Hope surged again. Okay, so maybe there was a little fire left on my tongue. “He’s gorgeous, right? He’s gonna be big, trust me.”

“Maybe.” Shayne still sounded unconvinced, but there was a nasty slick of envy to his voice he couldn’t hide. “Still, there’s a difference between looking hot and making it in the business.”

“I have every faith in him,” I countered with a smile I didn’t try to hide. “Take a look around. Everyone who’s anyone is watching him.”

Shayne’s gaze travelled the cavernous room, and for the first time, he frowned.

I bit back a smile. “He’s a fucking natural and he’s going to sell this show of mine regardless.”

Shayne’s expression took on a constipated pinch. “Well, I hope for your sake, you’re right.”

“That’s it, Boss,” Taylor called from the top of the runway, the group of models at her back looking slightly nervous as they waited for my verdict. “You want them to go again?”

“No. Our time is up. Thank you, everyone.” I gave them a clap and there was an audible sigh of relief. “And practice, please. If any of you want to come by Flare this week, I’ll be happy to talk. And check your call times. No excuses.”

They clapped me in return and disappeared behind the curtains.

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