The Naked Truth (The Honeybrook Hamdens)

"Of course. The final alterations just came in. Rehearsal is tonight."

"Good, so everything is running smoothly." She nodded. "Well, I'm happy to hear that. I'm just going to check into my hotel and--"

"Julie, why don't you come back and see everything you've done? You should at least take a moment to see it. All the girls have been asking for you."

"I..."

I can't. I can't see them. I can't see the clothes. I can't do any of it.

"Is this the carpenter? Maybe he can take a look at the catwalk while he's here. It'll only take a moment." Troy grinned, then gestured for them to approach.

Julie glanced at Chase, then at Troy, then back again.

Chase gave her a slight nod and for some reason that was all she needed.

She took a step forward, then another, and after a deep breath she said, "Yeah, okay, let's take a look at the runway, then we'll head backstage."

Trina gave her a wary look, but Julie ignored it. She had to face this head-on. The only way out was through.

And when it was over? That's when she could really get her revenge.

Troy led them to the edge of the catwalk and then pulled Chase aside to show him the places where the wood had splintered on delivery. Julie watched them talking, thinking of how normally she would have patted herself on the back to see exactly how much better off she was. Chase towered over Troy, and though the other man was so well-dressed, he looked almost silly compared to the way Chase made a flannel shirt and jeans look like the hottest look all season.

Try as she might, though, she couldn't focus on that. She could only think of what was waiting for her next. What she'd see behind the curtain. How she'd react.

"It's going to be okay," Trina said from behind her and Julie turned to face her friend.

"You think?"

"I know. They might be your designs, but nobody could bring them to life the way you could. One day this'll be your show and you can make him really feel the effect of everything he's done."

"Yeah, I guess." Julie chewed the inside of her cheek, and then Troy called them over.

"Now, if we're done with the help, it's time to see where the magic is happening," he said, then with a cursory glance at Chase he added, "No offense."

Chase had the good grace not to respond, but Julie frowned and clenched her hand, caught between wanting to reach out for him and needing to pull a cigarette out of her bag.

In the end, she did neither. She just following Troy meekly until he pulled back the curtain and she was there, taking in all the sights and smells of the backstage.

Even now the place stunk of hairspray and spilled champagne, and her stomach roiled again at the familiar bright lights and organized chaos of it all.

Around the mirrors, a collection of girls were toying with their hair and putting on jewelry. A few of them already had champagne glasses in their hands. In the mirror, she locked eyes with the tallest of the girls, a black-haired beauty who was destined to be a star.

"Julie," the girl practically shrieked. "We've been asking about you every day. I'm so glad you're here." The other girls mumbled their agreement as they all turned to face her. None of them, she saw, were completely dressed yet, all in short silky robes that just brushed their knees.

"Hi Angela," Julie smiled. "How are--"

Then she stopped dead. An assistant was rolling in a long rack filled with clothes of every color.

Familiar clothes.

Julie swallowed hard, all too aware of everyone's eyes on her as she took in the jackets, pants, and tops she'd drawn. She'd put together. Everything was exactly how she'd pictured it, right down to the color choices.

Even the models had stopped and the room filled with silence as they all waited for Julie to say something, anything.

But what was there to say?

"The clothes are beautiful. This is going to be a great show." She swallowed hard, and then she felt the light pressure of someone's grip on her bicep and she turned to find Troy there, waiting for her.