Chapter 23
The RLF runway show was taking place on Monday, one week from my first fitting.
The models were selected at the beginning of the summer and were measured and assigned outfits long before I was brought onto the RLF team.
So, when I arrived for the early Monday morning fitting, I was the last piece of the puzzle.
The pieces showcased were the highlights of the upcoming spring-summer line.
Everything I’d worn and highlighted on social media were fall and winter ready-to-wear pieces that were available on the site and in select stores.
The outfits I’d seen for the show were cool and interesting, but still wearable.
I was fitted for the final piece: a white asymmetrical dress combined with a black sheer trench coat.
While Angelica checked the fit of the dress on my body, I learned that I was slated to walk down the runway with Russ.
Excited was an understatement.
I got goose bumps as I imagined being on a catwalk for the first time and then sharing that moment with Russ.
I was so giddy I could barely stand still.
As I stared at myself in the mirror, I felt overwhelmed with joy, pride, excitement, and love.
I was in a gorgeous outfit that Russ designed…
as I prepared to be in the RLF fashion show during New York Fashion Week…
where I would be walking down the catwalk with the designer… who happened to be the man I loved.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I blinked back tears.
Russ’s vision and concept were realized from the wardrobe, set design, runway setup, and music selection.
I was so happy for him, and proud of him.
I’d spent Monday and Tuesday working with Lori, Angelica, the design team, and the show coordinator.
It was a lot, but I wanted to do well—not just for myself but also for him.
I wanted to make sure I made his first show a success.
But more than anything, I wanted to make him proud.
Russ left for New York on Tuesday and wouldn’t be back for a week.
He was so busy getting everything ready for the show, we only talked before bed.
He told me he wanted me to text him updates, but I didn’t want to disturb him throughout the day.
But after Wednesday’s fitting, I couldn’t help myself.
I sent him a text message as I walked to the conference room for the meeting.
Nina: This dress is so sexy! I want it.
Russ: It’s yours.
Grinning, I started to reply.
“If it isn’t Ms. Runway Model herself,” Jacqueline remarked from out of nowhere.
I almost dropped my phone.
Regaining my composure, I slipped my phone into my pocket and greeted her. “Hey!”
“Congratulations are in order. I wish it was me, but I’m not a hater.”
I nodded. “That’s fair. Thank you.”
We walked through the conference room doors and Taisha squealed, “Congratulations!”
Her joy was infectious, and I couldn’t help but giggle a bit. “Thank you!”
She jumped to her feet and clapped enthusiastically. The three of us were the only ones in there so we were a little louder than usual. When I was close enough, she hugged me.
“And don’t think I didn’t see you with that tall piece of work at the airport,” Taisha mentioned. “He seemed very happy to see you.”
I laughed nervously as we took our seats. I tried to read her face and her expression, but I couldn’t.
She didn’t see who I was with, did she?
“Who was happy to see Nina?” Jonah asked from behind me. “Nobody is happier to see her than me.”
“Her man,” Jacqueline said in a singsong voice.
“Maybe we should’ve hung around to check out Jonah’s competition,” Matias joked as the guys took their seats at the table.
“The way that man had her in the air when I drove by, I don’t think there is any competition,” Taisha speculated. “Sorry, Jonah.”
“What did he look like?” Jacqueline asked her.
Panic swept through me.
Russ had kissed me and made me forget that Taisha was driving by, looking directly at us. The same anxiety and worry that tightened my gut on Sunday afternoon returned, with more intensity. And unfortunately, Russ wasn’t there to kiss the dread away.
I swallowed hard.
“He’s over six feet. I could only see his legs and the back of his neck, but he looked light brown skinned”—she pointed to Matias “—like his complexion. He had on a hat, T-shirt, and jorts.”
“What the hell are jorts?” Jonah asked with a chuckle.
“Jean shorts,” she answered.
“Is that why you’re looking so shook, Nina?” Jacqueline wondered. “Your boyfriend wears jorts.”
Everyone looked at me and all I could do was put my head in my hands while they laughed. Even though it was only the five of us in the conference room, I couldn’t help feeling like things were getting a little too out of control.
Taisha started rubbing my back comfortingly. “Jorts aside… That man was so engulfed in Nina, I couldn’t even see his face.”
This is good. I lifted my head and looked at her. Nothing to worry about.
“His arms were wrapped around her so tight, I couldn’t even see them,” she continued. “And I told my sister how happy I was for her. And then I get an email Monday morning saying she got picked to walk the runway and I was even happier. Am I jealous? Yes. But am I happy? Also yes.”
“We are all happy for you,” Jonah told me. “But if anything happens between you and your man, I’m here. Taisha talking about you being hugged up on like that and seeing that you’re good is a good thing. Am I jealous? Yes. But am I happy? Also yes.”
All of us cracked up.
“I appreciate all of you. Thank you. And I’ll represent for us on the runway,” I promised them.
“Do you think they picked you to make up for the fact that they are giving away half of your appearances to the other model?” Jacqueline asked.
All of us stopped and looked at her.
“Jacqueline!” Taisha admonished her. “Uh-uh, don’t do that.”
“Whoa…” Jonah reacted.
“That’s not cool,” Matias muttered.
Jacqueline’s eyes got big as she looked around. “What? I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It’s fine,” I assured them. “It very well may have been part of their reasoning for choosing me.”
I didn’t mention the fact that Angelica had noticed my walk a few weeks prior and told me she would be nominating me.
Because while that was true, I didn’t know the motivations of the others who voted.
Remedy had pulled me aside to address the Gabby situation in the same breath as the runway show.
And Russ was my man and had all but promised me he would make sure I was okay.
Having everyone think I got the runway opportunity as a peace offering was the safest bet.
“What do they have you wearing? What do they have you doing?” Taisha asked, trying to change the subject.
As I answered her questions, people entered the conference room. There was a buzz of excitement as almost every RLF staff person I’d ever crossed paths with filed in. When Remedy and Lori walked in, we quieted and gave them our undivided attention.
“Fashion Week kicks off on Friday, and our very first Fashion Week appearance is on Monday at eleven o’clock,” Remedy announced before breaking down everything we needed to know.
“Our spokesmodels will be in New York for promotion over the weekend. On Friday and Saturday, they have in-person appearances. On Sunday and Monday, they will be promoting the show. And speaking of spokesmodels, Nina will be walking down the runway for us.”
Everyone clapped politely, and grinning proudly, I waved.
After some additional information, the meeting concluded, but Remedy and Lori asked us to stay behind.
“You already know your duties for the New York store visits, just like in Atlanta,” Lori told us.
“But you’ll be in New York on Sunday and Monday for content creation.
On Sunday, you’ll be talking to other fashion heads about what they are thinking and expecting from RLF.
On Monday, you’ll be talking to spectators after the runway show. ”
“You aren’t journalists,” Remedy reminded us.
“No one is expecting you to do interviews. However, you are forward-thinking fashion content creators, so your take on Fashion Week, specifically the RLF show, should be highlighted. Everything you do should be catered to your personality. We hired you for your style and your authenticity.” She turned her head to me.
“Nina, you will need to report directly to Russell, Angelica, and the show coordinator because you will have rehearsal, final fittings, and other things that may interfere with your ability to be at your store post for long stretches of time.”
“Should I contact the store to let them know?” I wondered, confused as to why I was just hearing about the changes.
“No. Lori has contacted them, and Gabriella will be in New York to take over your stores,” Remedy informed me. “You just focus on creating RLF content and getting ready for the show. You will have eyes on you.”
“Oh… okay.”
“Angelica is waiting for you all to pick up your clothes for the weekend. See you in New York.”
Without waiting for us to respond, Remedy turned on her heel and left the room. Lori gave us a small smile and asked if we had any questions. I rose to my feet and left the room with everyone else.
What does she mean I’ll have eyes on me? Because I’m on the runway?
“Do you think they are going to compare you and the Gabriella chick and make a decision on who they are going to keep this weekend?” Jacqueline asked.
“What is wrong with you?” Taisha asked her.
“What?” Jacqueline stamped her foot. “I’m just trying to understand what’s going on!”
I was lost in my thoughts and barely participated in the conversation.
Between Jacqueline’s conspiracy theories and finding out last minute that my schedule had changed, I was thrown off.
It wasn’t until I was in the elevator, holding clothes I was expected to wear over the weekend to my chest, that I realized my job might actually be at stake.