It was Stefano.
Suddenly everything else fell away. The applause, the lights, the music, the audience. There was only now. This. Him.
“Stefano?” she whispered uncertainly, trembling.
Coming closer, he looked at her, and she saw that his dark eyes were luminous with tears. He said in a low voice, “You’re a star. As you always deserved to be.”
“What are you doing here?”
Dropping the roses, he took her hands in his own. His touch burned through her, and so did his dark eyes. “I’m here for you.”
She looked up at him in shock.
Reaching out, he cupped her cheek. “You were right, Tess. I was afraid. I couldn’t let myself love you because I couldn’t bear the pain of losing you. Then I lost you anyway.” Pulling her into his arms, he said softly, “Now I realize that there’s only one thing in life that’s worth any price.”
The audience in the tearoom had fallen utterly silent. Even the models were staring at them. Tess held her breath.
“I’m in love with you, Tess,” he whispered.
Now she knew she really was dreaming.
“You,” she said, faltering and licking her lips. “You love me?”
“I’ve never felt this way about anyone. And I never will again. Just you. I love you.” Stefano blinked fast. “You’re all I care about.”
Her heart was pounding in her throat. “What about Zacco?”
“I don’t need it. Don’t want it.”
“What?” she croaked, nearly staggering back in shock.
“I just need you. You were right,” he said huskily. “My legacy isn’t a company. It’s not wealth or power.” He glanced at their baby, sitting with her aunt and uncle in the front row. He turned back to Tess, and this time there could be no doubt that there were tears in his eyes. “My legacy is you. You and Esme. And I’m yours.”
“Stefano—”
“Give me the chance to show you,” he whispered, and lowered his head to hers. His lips seared hers, hot and persuasive, gentle as silk. He kissed her tenderly, and when he finally pulled away, Tess blinked, lost in a dream.
“Can you ever love me again?” he said wistfully, running his hand down he
r cheek. “Can you?”
“I never stopped loving you,” she choked out.
Joy lit up his eyes. Lifting her in his arms, Stefano whirled her around, making her colorful skirt fly out. She heard the audience’s applause and sighs of delight. But, for Tess, it was just the two of them, laughing together with pure joy.
When Stefano finally set her down, his handsome face was bright. He kissed her again, and a moment later, Kebe and the other models came to congratulate them, and Hallie, too. Joyful music played as confetti rained down from the high ceiling amid the audience’s thunderous applause.
“See?” Hallie whispered smugly in Tess’s ear. “I told you the show would be a success.”
Tess felt like her heart could burst. She waved at her family to join them onstage with Esme, then looked around for Lola, wanting her to join them, too. But she saw the blonde leaving with her baby, departing through the door on the other side of the room. She wondered what could be so important that would make Lola leave.
Then she forgot all about it as her husband pulled her in his arms, tilting her back with a fierce kiss.
“Is this really real?” Tess said in a daze, looking up at his handsome face as colorful confetti fell around them like flower petals. “Or is it a dream?”
“It’s both,” he said.
She smiled through her tears. “What will I dream about now that all my dreams have come true?”