Page 65 of Her Every Fantasy

Putting out last-minute fires and calming nerves all day Tuesday helped me keep my own inner hurricane at bay.

I plunged myself into every query, took the time to inspect every outfit and accessory. I fetched water and wiped nervous tears. All the while wondering if I’d have the nerve to confess my feelings to Bryce when the time came.

I was in love with him. Had been since the first time he sauntered up to me with a sexy smirk.

And if he planned on ending this thing between us with another disappearing act for another three years, I needed him to know.

He was convinced we were different people. Maybe he was right. But we weren’t so different as to be totally incompatible.

My insides burned with fear and dread but I swallowed them down, reminded myself that nothing I’d wanted had ever come easy.

I’d launched and headed a successful brand where very few woman like me held their own for very long. I’d survived a difficult marriage and come through stronger.

I needed to know where I stood with him.

What if you stand nowhere?

My breath caught.

‘Are you all right?’

Nellie, my assistant, stood next to me, concern etched on her face. She wore the headgear that connected her with each model’s station, the photographer and stage manager. She was the heart of the operations and my right-hand woman. We’d been together for four years and she knew the ins and outs of most of my relationships.

But not Bryce. I shook my head. ‘Last-minute nerves.’

Her eyebrow shot up. ‘Really? You? The mosttogetherperson I know?’

I let a wobbly smile slip. ‘You’re good for my ego, Nellie.’

‘Would it have anything to do with that piece of eye candy prowling the back of the showroom?’

‘What?’

‘He’s been wearing grooves in the floor for the last fifteen minutes. I had one of the interns ask him if he wanted a drink. He got glared at. But he came bearing the most amazing painting so I let him stay...’

I was rushing for the short corridor that led to the catwalk before Nellie was done forming her conclusions.

One quick peek between the heavy black curtains and I spotted him. I also spotted the reason for his mood. Graciela Mortimer stood in front of him, her arms windmilling as she made whatever point she was intent on making.

Bryce’s jaw clenched before he glanced sharply towards my hiding spot. His gaze announced his fury and he left his sister mid-sentence and headed towards me. The Wu Cheong painting was propped up against a chair on the first row of the seating area with a carelessness that belied its quarter-million-dollar price tag.

‘Hi, Bryce.’

His gaze raked me from head to toe before settling on my mouth. With almost impatient need, he pulled me close and planted a hard kiss on me before stepping back. ‘You didn’t think to give me the heads-up that Graciela was coming?’

I shrugged. ‘You were going to find out sooner or later. Why make it sooner?’

‘My sentiments exactly,’ Graciela said, strolling up to join us.

Bryce took a deep breath. ‘Can you give us some privacy, please?’ he said between his teeth.

‘Why? You’ve already kissed her in front of me so I know there’s something going on between you two. Besides, we’re not done talking.’

Bryce rounded on her. ‘We’re not doing this now,’ he warned.

Graciela, a statuesque beauty with long, dark hair and signature Mortimer hazel eyes and as stunningly beautiful as her male relatives, folded her arms and glared at her brother. About to open her mouth, she froze when Nellie’s voice boomed from behind the curtain.

‘Thirty minutes to ignition, people!’

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