“Noah—”
“Lennon?” Jane, my assistant at Children Everywhere, pops her head out the door. “Almost everyone is gone, but Trevor Fallon has been looking for you. He wants to have a few words with you before he leaves.”
I nod. “Thank you, Jane. I’ll be right there.” I wait for her to duck back inside before looking at Noah. “I’m sorry, but I need to go talk to him.”
“Don’t apologize,” he says. “This is your event. Do what you need to do. I’ll wait.”
I smile, still unsure what all of this means.
He flew across the country to see me, to apologize and hear what I had to say. Maybe I should re-evaluate my previous thoughts and plan. If we’re both in this for the long haul, ready and willing to work through whatever life throws our way, maybe there’s hope for us after all.
But first, Mr. Fallon.
With a hand pressed to the small of my back, Noah leads me into the hall where Trevor is waiting. “I’ll be over here,” he whispers, kissing my cheek. I watch him walk across the floor and take a seat at the near-empty bar next to Mikey.
Mikey glances over his shoulder once Noah is seated and catches my eye. He waves, and I wave back before turning toward Trevor.
“Thank you so much for coming tonight, Trevor,” I say, leaning in for a hug. He kisses my left cheek and then my right.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. This is quite the organization you’ve got going.”
“Thank you. It means so much to me.”
“It shows. But I wasn’t exactly wanting to talk to you about the charity.”
I tilt my head to the side and smile. “What can I help you with?”
“Your designs. They’re beautiful. Perfect, really. And just what my line needs.”
Pride and excitement and a million other emotions fill me up, along with a giddy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I want to jump up and down, throw my hands in the air, and give myself a high five, but I don’t. Instead, I clasp my fingers together in front of my body.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me. I put just as much love into my designs as I do this charity. They’re my passions.”
“You’re special, Lennon. There’s just something about you that people love. Whenever you get some time, I’d like for us to sit and down and see if we can work out a contract. I want you on my team.”
“I’m flattered, Trevor. And it would be a honor to work with you, but I have to be honest. I don’t plan on staying in New York.”
I look around the room at the chandeliers, the crystal glasses scattered on the tables, and the few remaining people dressed in designer gowns and suits, and I know my decision to leave is the right one.
“I want to get away from the city; I want to be somewhere quiet.” Somewhere like Heaven.
Trevor smiles warmly. “I don’t care where you are, Lennon. That’s details. I just need you.”
Perfect answer. “I’d like that.”
“Great.” Reaching for my hand, Trevor kisses my knuckles. “We’ll keep in touch. Get settled wherever you’re going to be, and then reach out. You’ve got an amazing career ahead of you, Lennon, and I want to be part of it.”
Pressing my lips together, I nod, desperately trying to keep my excitement bottled up until Trevor is out of the room. Once he’s gone, I do a little happy dance right there in the ballroom.
“I love seeing you smile like that,” Noah whispers from behind me.
I whirl around and throw myself at him. He wraps me in his arms, pulling me close as I squeal in delight. “That was Trevor Fallon,” I squeal.
His smile is bright, but he shakes his head. “Who is Trevor Fallon?”
“He’s with one of the top fashion houses in New York. And he wants to work with me. He loves my designs.” I laugh, hugging him tight again. “I can’t believe this.”
“Congratulations—”