How the hell did that happen?
I walked out and the lights fell on me. That rush I always got when I had a show intoxicated me and it was almost too much to stand.
“Welcome to my show. I’m Sloane Harris of SH Designs, and this is my first foray into lingerie. No, I didn’t mean for that to rhyme,” I said, and there were little titters of laugher. The lights were so bright on the runway that I couldn’t even see the crowd, but I didn’t need to. Everyone who counted was here, except for one notable exception.
Ryder. I closed my eyes for a moment and thought about him in Colorado up on a mountain. I hoped he was thinking of me.
“I hope you enjoy the show, and I hope you enjoy seeing my creations as much as I did making them. I’d like to thank my entire team at SH Designs, including my assistant Inari. I’d also like to mention my other family, Rory, Lucah, Chloe, Marisol, and Ryder. I love you all. Thank you.”
I waved to the crowd then walked backstage, my heart going crazy as the crowd applauded.
Showtime.
The lights came up, the music came on, and I watched the video screen from backstage. Inari was in charge of getting the models in line and telling them when to go on, so I could actually watch the show and hopefully not stress too much about it.
The first look came out, and I couldn’t help the tears that started falling. I cried at each show. I would probably always cry, even if I did a hundred shows. It always felt like the first time.
Kelly came over and stood next to me. I put my arm around her and we watched the show, squealing in excitement as each look came out and the model did a little kiss or cute pose. I’d told them to be fun and flirty and to have a good time during the rehearsal.
“It’s so perfect, Sloane. So perfect,” Kelly said, squeezing my hand.
It was. There was just one thing missing. I wished Ryder was there. The final look went out and the model did a little dance on the end of the runway. Inari dragged me out to do a little walk and take a bow, but this time I curtseyed since I was wearing a dress. Flashes went off and I scurried backstage again to bask in the afterglow as hugs rained down on me and the excitement hit a fever pitch.
Almost perfect.
~*~*~
“To Sloane!” Rory said, raising her glass. My friends had surprised me with a party after the show at my studio with all my staff, interns, and friends.
“To Sloane!” they all said, and we drank to that.
“Thank you all, I couldn’t have done it without you,” I announced. It was true. No one was an island unto themselves. You could try and go through life without help from others, but you’d live a pretty lonely life and you wouldn’t get far.
“It’s too bad Ryder couldn’t come,” Rory said into my ear.
“I know, but it just didn’t work out.”
She sighed. “It would have been really romantic if he got out on the same day of the show and you didn’t know he was going to be here and then he surprised you.” True, it would have. But this was reality.
According to everyone who talked to me, the show was a massive success, but only time would tell if I’d get calls from buyers. If I didn’t get very many, I’d have to start pitching to them myself. I had a few stores who already had my other lines set up, but we still needed to finalize everything. The work was just beginning.
But first we had to live it up.
Twenty-Seven
My high from the show lasted more than three days. It was boosted by getting several calls on Monday from potential buyers wanting to set up meetings, and their enthusiasm was overwhelming.
I did the math and if they did as many purchase orders as I thought they would, I was looking at potentially doubling my staff. It was what I’d always hoped for, but damn, I never thought I’d get there by making bras and panties.
Ryder’s letter from the day of the show arrived on Monday, and I read the entire thing with a grin on my face. He’d written it as if he’d been in the audience.
That one, I love that one. You’d look really good in that. Oh, and the trim on that is fabulous. You’re so talented, Sloane. Oh, I remember you showing me the sketch for that. Wow, look at that color! It really pops.
I laughed out loud. He was just too ridiculous.
Near the end of the letter, he got serious again.
I know the timing of me coming here was shitty since I couldn’t be there for your show, but I will be there for the next one. And the next one. And every single one. Even if you don’t want me there, I’ll be there. In the back. Lurking like a creeper in the shadows.