Page 14 of At Your Service
“Nina, this is Chaz Warren, my boyfriend.” Riley smiled as she glanced at Chaz and he returned the look before extending his hand to Nina.
“Hello, Nina. It’s nice to meet you. Riley’s told me all about you, your company and, ah, this marketing plan.”
Major wasn’t sure how he felt about that. While his first instinct was to be happy for Riley—who seemed more relaxed and content with Chaz than he’d ever recalled—there was still a small part of him that was on guard. Telling Chaz about their marketing strategies when he was still working—even if only on a part-time basis—with his uncle, didn’t seem like the best idea. But tonight, Major had other things to worry about.
“King Designs is doing great this season. I’ve been keeping up with your shows and sales,” Nina said.
“Ah, yeah. Wow, you’re keeping tabs on us,” Chaz replied. “Not sure if I should be worried or impressed by that. But, um, our line is doing really well after the relaunch and we’re hoping for the same success with a couple other lines.”
“That’s good to know. And yes, in my line of business, I try to keep my eye on the top companies in the industry,” she told him.
Okay, add another thing to the list of things for Major to ponder. Was Nina really going to stand there and pitch her company to their biggest competitor?
“It’s almost time for the announcement,” Desta said when she joined them.
Thankful for the interruption, Major slipped his arm around Nina’s waist and gently led her in the direction Desta was now speed-walking.
“We’re going to begin with pictures. The family has already started, but you two are up next. Reporters are chomping at the bit trying to figure out what’s going on.” Desta talked as she walked and Major followed, enjoying the feel of his hand resting at the small of Nina’s back.
The venue was crowded with people, most of whom he knew from the industry, some of whom he’d never seen before in his life. He supposed he should feel some measure of nervousness or possibly anxiety, but all he felt was anticipation.
“There are so many people here,” Nina said when they made their way to the other side of the terrace.
It was a gorgeous night for a terrace party, not too humid and the sky full of stars.
Major came around behind her, his hand still at her waist as they moved through a group of people, one of whom did a double take when she saw him. It wasn’t someone he knew, but he could tell the buzz around tonight’s announcement was growing because the woman’s gaze had immediately shifted from him to Nina with an inquisitive quirk of her brow.
“Are they normally like this?” Nina asked.
“Like what?”
“So hungry for whatever is going to happen next. Surely they’ve been to this event before, so they know what you’re going to be talking about—your fashion house. But their anticipation is almost palpable.”
That question came when they were just a few steps from an arch covered in white flowers made to look purple by the up-lighting positioned on the floor.
“Everyone here was sent a private invitation that spoke of a big announcement,” he said. “Are you all right? Is it too much for you?”
He wanted to say he’d take her out of here if it was, but he knew Desta would probably have a cardiac episode if he even thought about doing that. Even though RGF still held its title as the US’s top fashion house, keeping a comfortable lead over their competitors was their marketing director’s priority.
“No. I’m fine,” she said. “Just wondering how this is all going to play out.”
Major stood beside Nina, waiting for Desta’s signal to step forward for pictures. He’d reluctantly moved his hand from her waist when his fingers had begun to tingle with the desire to either slide to the generous curve of her ass or up to the bare skin of her shoulder. Both, he was certain, were inappropriate movements on so many levels.
“As soon as the announcement is made, we can leave. Maurice and his team can field all the questions. All we have to do is stand here and smile for the cameras,” he said.
She looked surprised at that comment. “You’re not making the announcement?”
“No. My father’s going to handle that. Is that a problem?”
There was a slight hesitation then a small shrug of her shoulders. “If this were real, I’d think you’d be so excited about getting married to the woman you love that you’d be bursting with the need to announce it to the world,” she said, but then held up a hand and shook her head. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m no expert. It just seems like the sort of thing they’d do in one of those romance movies.”
Romance movies that she was obviously watching and paying close attention to.
“I don’t know that this was planned for romance,” he said. “It’s just a hoax, remember.”
He really needed her to remember that. Nothing personal or real was going to come of this six-week plan. That’s not what he was in the market for and he was banking on them being so focused on their business goals that there’d be no risk of losing sight of the goal.
She nodded her agreement and in the next moment they were being moved to stand under the arch and positioned for one pose after another.
