Page 53 of Fashionista's Playbook

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Moriah

After the Pigmo debacle, I shied away from wearing formal gowns. Considering my passion for fashion, that was a damn shame. This time, though, my date looked better than anyone who had been at that dance.

I studied his profile as he drove. The city lights flickering off his handsome face put me in mind of late nights what they would bring. Maybe even tonight. I could still remember the way he felt, the way he’d tasted, the things he’d done to me. Those thoughts, like always, made me blush.

Something cool rested against the warmth of my skin. I glanced down at the twinkling butterfly. I didn’t dare imagine how much he’d paid for it.

People were already crowded around the swank country club when we arrived. I held my breath and waited as Travis handed the keys to the valet, skirted the front of his shiny Audi, and opened my door, like a real date. His palm was warm and strong against mine.

“It’s like it was made for you,” he observed.

A nervous laugh floated up from my stomach. “Well, it was.” When he made an appreciative face, I continued. “I found one I really liked, but it wasn’t large enough in certain areas. I bought similar fabric and made something that would fit. I think I’m going to try to sell them in different shades. I really love the fabric.”

When I noticed him watching me, an amused smile on his face, I stopped babbling. “I went full fashion nerd for a minute, sorry.”

He brushed his lips over my knuckles. “I don’t mind at all. I’ll be around if you need to model the rest of them.” When hedropped our hands, he ran the back of his across the hem at my chest.

A healthy dollop of heat flickered to life inside me.

Travis’ laugh was playful and rich. “I can’t guarantee they won’t end up in a mess on the floor.”

I pursed my lips and swallowed whatever reply I might have come up with. Vincent and Bianca waited for us, just outside of the entrance to the red carpet that had been set up. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes twinkled.

Apparently, Travis wasn’t the only Madera with something else on his mind.

Bianca joined us, the excitement beaming off her so contagious I didn’t have time to think about what Vincent was or wasn’t doing.

“You look lovely,” I told her.

“So do all of you.” She gestured to the guys. “Vin said you fitted him for this one.”

Travis’ brother looked sharp. No way to ever tell the suit was a hand-me-down.

“Maderas clean up nice.” Vin popped the lapels of his jacket and whipped around in a tight circle.

Bianca and I both laughed before she reached for my elbows. “This dress is amazing.”

“She designed it.” The pride in Travis’ voice was obvious.

My anxiety ratcheted up as I flicked a glance to Vincent, but it settled when he ignored us. I allowed myself to enjoy Travis’ pride, to relish the prickle of happiness.

“There he is, one of my men of the hour.” Claudia Jones swept through, her long black hair shimmering beneath fairy lights that lit the red carpet.

I’d never met her, but Michael Jones’ wife was well known in the San Antonio sports world for her charity work. She was a former fashion model, so I knew her on sight.

Travis leaned in for Claudia to kiss both his cheeks and released my hand when she enveloped me in a hug.

“Moriah, I assume. Glad to finally meet you in person. I hope you’re really happy with how everything turned out.” She ushered us to the red carpet. “There are several national press outlets here. Smile big, ask for money,”—she reached out to brush her fingertips across the butterfly pendant—“and don’t forget to shine!”

Travis’ Kids was something I was fully invested in. Though he didn’t speak much of those years after his parents died, the years he spent in the system, their impact on him was obvious.

I was so wrapped up in pride in what we’d accomplished, I forgot we were heading toward the red carpet until it was too late.

“Travis! Travis! This is the first time we’ve seen you on a red carpet with a date! Who is thisvivaciousbeauty?” A reporter yelled.

That meant fat. The urge to both cry and run away screaming at the same time pushed against my chest. Memories and bright lights blinded me.

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