Instead of disappearing through the arch, the last model made a sharp turn back toward the runway. The music changed in tandem, signaling not the end of the show, but the beginning of the second act, which the announcer had alluded to.
The model’s movement changed, her steps far more deliberate and pronounced. No longer was she smooth and cool, but sharp and intense, mirroring the music. Then another model came out behind her, and another behind her.
Models streamed onto the runway with accentuated charisma and started…
Stripping.
The audience gasped. Murmured.
Little by little, the models tore away their dresses to reveal various garments underneath. A traditional, formal gown became a chic dinner dress, then a nightclub dress. Each design fell apart into different pieces, and once Jax recovered from the shock, he realized what Lexi had done—created several dresses within one.
“Genius,” he murmured.
But then even more pieces came off and bits of crimson began to show. Red bras. Red garters. Red panties. Red corsets. Red teddies. More gasps erupted around Jax, immediately followed by a burst of insane applause. Within moments, every model paraded along the runway wearing searingly sexy crimson lingerie and dragging their stunning white haute couture gowns behind them along the floor. And Jax thought the applause would bring the roof down.
Whistles, cheers, shouts poured from the audience as the models returned to the entry arch and lined up along either side of the runway. Once they were all in formation, the models turned toward the opening and joined in the applause.
Everyone in the audience stood, the cheering so loud it rattled Jax’s eardrums as they waited for Lexi to appear.
Twenty-Seven
Backstage, Lexi covered her mouth with both hands and started crying.
Rubi bounced on her toes beside Lexi, clapping and screaming to be heard over the applause, “Didn’t I tell you? Didn’t I tell you?” She squeezed Lexi’s arm. “Good-bye Galliano! Hello LaCroix. Girl, you don’t need anyone now. It’s all about you. ”
Lexi couldn’t speak. She could only shake her head. She’d dreamt of this moment. Of the ear-shattering applause, the standing ovation, the recognition, the validation. And now she was too overwhelmed to move.
Rubi grabbed her hand and pulled her out onto the runway. When she tried to let go of Lexi’s hand and push her toward the audience, Lexi held tight.
“I couldn’t have done this without you. ” Lexi pulled her into step beside her.
The ham ate it up, strolling down the runway like the elegant model she was, beaming, holding Lexi’s hand. Lexi waved to the cheering audience, bowed, continued crying, unable to stop and not giving a damn.
Rubi pulled her to a stop at the middle of the runway, leaned close, and said, “First row, directly on your right. ”
Lexi gasped, suddenly terrified to look and see Jax standing there. She’d hoped he would come. Prayed he would come. But a big part of her didn’t believe he would come.
“You do your part,” Rubi said. “The girls know theirs. ” Rubi released Lexi’s hand and stepped back, giving her the spotlight.
But now that she was here and Jax was right there, she was terrified.
Risk. Jax is all about risk. And letting go.
And both had led her here. Despite whether he still wanted Lexi as a lover or not, she knew he deserved that recognition.
She bowed to the audience again, mouthing thank-yous. Then she took a deep breath and turned right, searching for a black leather jacket. But every male in the row wore a suit. Trepidation snuck in. Maybe Rubi was wrong. Maybe she’d just seen someone who looked like Jax.
She skimmed the faces and passed over Jax’s before halting and scanning back.
Yes, he was there. Dressed in a dark suit, white shirt, and crimson tie—as if choreographed. His hair was shorter, combed off his face in a sophisticated style. He looked so incredibly handsome, Lexi’s head went light.
He was standing and clapping along with the rest of the audience, but Lexi’s hearing seemed to have gone, because it all sounded muted now. All she could fo
cus on was the beam of his smile, the sparkle in his eyes.
This was the moment each designer brought out those significant to the line and shared them with the audience in a show of appreciation. Designers often brought their wives, husbands, business partners, or a special model onto the runway. Lexi had always been up here alone.
Now, she managed to reach out to Jax.