Page 85 of Without Fault

“Another word, and you'll stay. In the car. We have things to do.” She climbs in the back seat, and I look over at Pri, who's smiling too damn happily.

“I've never driven a Rolls-Royce.” She holds her hands out for my keys but I don't hand them over.

“And you're not going to.”

She rolls her eyes before getting in the back seat and convincing my mom that I know how to drive. My mom is a backseat driver the entire time, and it reminds me of when she taught me how to drive, so I don't complain as we head to the mall.

After looking at a few stores, I'm still not sure what to get Sage for her birthday. I think of what she said about how things you can use make better gifts, but the woman is richer than me and haseverything.I think of getting her makeup, but she has people who do her makeup, and I wouldn't even know what she uses.

I turn to my mom. “What makes a good birthday gift for a girl?”

A smile reaches her lips as she steals a glance at me. “Is this for your friend who's a girl but not your girlfriend?”

I falter for a beat before looking over at Capri. I didn't think she'd remember that. Capri doesn't answer my silent question, and my mom goes on.

“If you're confident you know her style well enough, maybe a cute bag will do.”

I nod in thought as we keep walking.

“So youdolike her?” It's clear she's teasing, and the smile I was fighting breaks through.

“Yeah, I like her, Mom.” I shake my head at her when she smiles way to big.

When Sage kept asking if I was okay yesterday, I didn't want to ruin her day with my shitty problems. But then she looked at me like she wassoconcerned. These last couple of years, I haven't had anyone worry about me, but seeing the worry in Sage's eyes, I couldn't stop the words from pouring out of my mouth.

I didn't think it'd be that easy to talk to her. She just held me andjustlistened, and I felt good after talking to her. Capri always badgers me and tells me I shouldn't keep shit bottled up, but I didn't realize how good it felt to talk about it until I was in Sage's arms.

Chapter Twenty-One

Sage

“Are you nervous?” Mel looksat me through the mirror as I get my makeup done.

“No.” I try to convince myself, and when I see Mel’s face, I know I don’t sound at all convincing. “Yes? Oh my God.”

She laughs softly, and I join her, but even my laugh sounds nervous.

All month, I’ve been prepping for Vincent’s show tonight. I’ve been nervous since he first called me, but today’s the day, and I can’t believe a whole month passed so quickly, but I’m ready. Or as ready as I’ll ever be.

“I’msoproud of you, Sage.” She smiles at me with such admiration, and I force myself not to cry because we’re only halfway done with my makeup. “I remember when I first followed you on social media, before you were even a Magic Model, you talked about wanting to be a Moore Girl, and the fact that this is thesecondrunway show he’s invited you to?”

I feel my smile widen as she goes on. “He obviously loves you, and you’re going to kill it tonight.”

“No, literally.” Cara pauses on my makeup, and when I look over at her, she also looks so proud.

“Thank you guys!” I pull Cara in for a hug before she continues.

I didn’t count the first runway show I did for Vincent since it was through the agency, and he asked for every Magic Model. Then, when he invited me to his party, I brushed it off as him thanking me for modeling extra pieces at his show, butnow?

Now, he’s having a runway show in New York on the biggest stage in the state, and I’ve modeled here before, but I haven’t walked this stage forhimand I’m losing my mind.

We get back to my makeup and by the time I’m done, Helena is walking in with a coffee for me. “Why isn’t your hair done?” Helena stares at me like I grew another head, and I can’t help but laugh at her.

“I’m literally about to get it done, Annet is in the bathroom.”

She nods before handing me my coffee.

“Move over.” She literally bumps Mel out of her way with her hip, and my eyes widen at her in warning. “What?” She rolls her eyes at me in the mirror.

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