“None of us are too busy for your dad. He’s important to all of us and always was.”

She tilted her head and smiled up at him. “We all had good times together in college, didn’t we?”

“Yeah, we did.”

“Though all of you gave me a hard time.”

“What? I never gave you a hard time. That was Trevor.”

“Please. You teased me mercilessly. And especially Trevor, who tried to bribe me to do his schoolwork for him.”

“Yeah, well, school definitely wasn’t his thing.”

She laughed. “Clearly. And look at him now. The superstud superstar.”

“A legend in his own mind.”

She laughed at that. “My hope is to someday be in a position to shove a microphone in his face and make him as uncomfortable as humanly possible.”

“Well, you are in broadcasting. And he’s in sports. It could happen.”

“If things go well with this new national job I’m in line for, it could definitely happen.”

“Oh, yeah? What new job?”

“National sportscaster.”

“No shit?”

She grinned. “No shit. I don’t want to talk too much about it in case it doesn’t happen, but my fingers are crossed.”

Haven was gorgeous. Tall, curvy in all the right places, short raven hair, the most amazing blue eyes he’d ever seen, and just about the smartest and savviest woman he’d ever known. She was on-topic on any subject, and she knew sports as well as any guy. “You’d be perfect for the job, Haven. I hope you get it.”

“Thanks. Me, too.”

“Have you told your dad about the opportunity?”

“Yes. He’s very excited for me, but also sad he won’t get to see me make the big time as a sportscaster.”

He squeezed her hand again. “He’ll be there watching over you, honey.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “I know he will.”

Not wanting to monopolize her time, and knowing he had a plane to catch, Drew finally stood. “I guess I should head out.”

Haven hugged him. “Thanks again for coming today.”

“Stay in touch, okay?” he asked as he hugged her back.

“I will.”

He went down to the parking lot and climbed into his rental, but found himself staring up at the hospital, still unable to leave, to make that final break from Bill. He finally just dropped the keys in his lap and released the tears he’d held in check.

TWENTY-EIGHT

“I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S HERE, CAROLINA. YOUR DAY HAS finally arrived.”

Carolina took in a deep breath, knowing it was probably the last time today she’d be able to breathe. She turned to her assistants and nodded. “It is. I couldn’t have done this without your help.”

Edward pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “You made this happen, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited as hell to be here.”

“You’re going to knock them dead out there, Carolina,” Tierra said. “And like Edward, I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

“Thank you. Both of you. Now let’s go get everyone dressed. Is makeup here?”

Tierra nodded. “Just arrived. Hair people are here, too. And Jessica is checking in the models.”

At least something was going right.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

She turned and gave a quick hug to her brother. “You made it.”

“Of course I did.”

“Are Mom and Evelyn here?”

“Yes. Mom’s so excited she couldn’t stop talking.”

Carolina grinned. “That’s great. I’ll go check on her.”

“Don’t worry about her. You have enough to do. Between Evelyn and everyone else fawning over her, she’s in heaven. She gets to meet big designers and magazine people today. And watch her daughter’s big debut.”

Just the thought of who would be out in the audience today made her stomach do somersaults. Other designers, along with the editors of some major fashion magazines.

She grabbed Gray’s arm. “I think I need to go lie down.”

He laughed. “You’re going to kill it. Now, where do you need me?”

“See that cute brunette over there? Just tell her who you are and she’ll tell you what to do and where to go.”

“Okay.” He kissed her cheek and wandered off.

Carolina took a moment to center herself before dashing off to see to the rack of clothes currently being guarded by one of her staffers. She and a few of her staff removed the clothes from the bags and began steaming any wrinkles while the models were busy in makeup and hair.

“All the models are checked in,” Jessica said. “Except for Drew Hogan.”

Carolina squeezed her eyes closed and counted to ten. She tossed Jessica her phone. “His number’s in there. Call him and ask him where the hell he is.”

This fashion show would be a nightmare without Drew. He was supposed to wear three of her menswear outfits. He’d promised her he’d be here. He’d already bailed on the print ad—surely he wouldn’t drop the ball on this, too, would he?

“No answer,” Jessica said, handing her phone back. “I called twice.”

Dammit. “Okay. Thanks, Jessica.”

Dread dropped a lead ball into the pit of her stomach. What was she going to do if he didn’t show up? She looked at the time on her phone. An hour until the show started. There was hair and makeup and coordinating the models into the lineups.

She wanted to tear her hair out from the roots, but her panicking wasn’t going to solve the problem. She had backup models ready to go in case of illness or no-shows.

She found Tierra. “Get Gerard into hair and makeup and prep him for Drew’s outfits.”

Tierra nodded and ran off.

Though Carolina had a million things to do, her thoughts drifted to Drew.

He’d let her down.

Again.

But there was nothing she could do about that. She checked on her models, who were mostly prepped and getting into their outfits. The stage manager gave her instructions, and she sidestepped security to finish up last-minute details. With her mother in the audience, security was extra tight today, Secret Service being doubled because of the expected crowd. Even she and Gray had Secret Service protection today, though she mostly ignored them. It was enough to know they were there, extra bodies in an already tight space.

When there was a rush of crowd noise, she turned around to see Drew running toward her. Sweat poured down his red face.

“I’m so sorry.”

“What happened?”

“Goddamned taxi rear-ended the car in front of us three blocks away. Traffic is a f**king nightmare. I finally got out and just ran the whole way.”

“Oh, Drew. I’m sorry. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Sure I did. I promised I’d be here, didn’t I?” He looked around at the models getting dressed around him. “Am I too late?”

He was sweaty, his hair wet from his run. Actually, he looked perfect. “No.” She grabbed his arm and took him into hair and makeup. “Gel his hair, give him a rough edge. He doesn’t need much in the way of makeup other than to tone down the redness from running. Otherwise, he’s good to go.”

“Probably a little deodorant would help, too,” he said with a smile.

She laughed. “Whatever. I’ll see you on the runway.”

He’d made it. He hadn’t blown this off. Her heart swelled with joy. One less thing to worry about.

In short order the models were lined up, Drew was in that fantastic outfit, and everyone was ready.

Carolina took in a deep cleansing breath, let it out, and when given her cue, stepped onto the runway.

“Good evening. My name is Carolina Preston, and I’m so thrilled to be here today to showcase Carolina Designs. This has been a long-held dream of mine, and I’m happy to set it free today. I hope you enjoy the show.”

She turned and headed back behind the curtains, listening to the polite applause. She knew it wouldn’t be wild clapping. She hadn’t earned that yet. But she hoped her fashions would show that she was a capable designer.

The music queued up, and she sent her first model down the runway. As she watched them on the monitor, it felt a lot like giving birth.

The men were going first, and they looked spectacular from casual slacks and button-up shirts to Drew taking the runway in a weekend outfit of drawstring pants and a fitted Henley. He grinned at the end of the runway, turned, and oh, God, the way he walked. Confident arrogance. No one could have done that outfit justice better than Drew. And Gray in a suit was something to behold.

The guys dashed back and changed, then went out again, everyone moving with precision. So far, so good. Gray came out next in a weekend casual piece, still very elegant, but oh, he looked so good. And Drew in jeans and a button-down shirt made her salivate. Every piece of her men’s line had turned out perfectly. She could tell the audience was captivated. She hoped it was the same when it came time for the women, who were up next.

First down the runway was her camel leather jacket and beaded mini. She felt such a sense of pride seeing something she’d created walk the runway at Lincoln Center. Then came the flirty dark print skirt and body-hugging sweater, followed by the low-slung pants and matching knee-length coat.

Outfit after outfit walked, and with each one Carolina wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes shimmering with tears. She hoped—oh, she hoped so much they were well received.

And when Esme walked out in her gown, she heard the collective gasps, and knew she had the audience by the throat. The applause as Esme disappeared was loud, and as the men came back out, followed by the women, people were on their feet, the applause deafening.

She’d done it. It was over. And it had been damn good, so she no longer cared what anyone thought.

“This is your moment,” Edward said, squeezing her arms. “Go take it.”

She nodded, turned to her assistants who had been right there by her side since the beginning. “Thank you. For everything.”

“Go,” Tierra said, laughing.

She walked out behind Esme. All the models clapped for Carolina. When she reached the end of the runway, she took a bow, then clasped Esme’s hand and mouthed “thank you” to her. Esme grinned and they walked hand in hand down the runway toward the curtain.

After, her staff surprised her with champagne. It was nonstop media and interviews and her mother and Evelyn came backstage, too.

“Oh, Carolina. You took my breath away,” Evelyn said.

“It was more than even I hoped for you,” her mother said, pulling her in for a tight hug. “Your designs are stunning. I’m so very proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

She did a few interviews and talked to some fashion editors, who gave her very favorable reviews. One, a very prominent editor with one of her favorite magazines, said she’d love to do an interview and article about her. She had to keep from squealing, so she did it on the inside.

“So . . . you did good.”

She turned to her brother and Evelyn. “Thank you for doing this. You looked amazing today.”

Evelyn laid her hand on Gray’s chest. “He did, didn’t he? You know I’m going to want a suit like that for him.”

“And I’ll be happy to make one for him. On the house, of course.”

“Now how are you going to make money for Carolina Designs when you do it gratis.”

“Only for my fantastic brother.”

“I’m really proud of you, Carolina. I think you’re fantastic.”

That was high praise coming from Gray.

“Thank you.”

“I have to agree with Gray. You are a top-notch designer.”