25. Chapter 25 #2
The three of us approach the women’s restroom, and I raise a hand to knock. Briar and Jamie blink up at me when I pause. “You sure it’s just Daria in there?”
Briar nods. “Positive.”
I knock. Wait. “Daria?”
“Dane?” Her slightly panicked voice echoes off what sounds like tile walls. “Is that you?”
“I’m here.”
Not three seconds later, she opens the door and drags me inside by the front of my shirt. “Oh, thank God.” Clinging to me like I’m her only lifeline, she folds her arms around my waist and groans. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
Wrapping her as tightly as I can, I soften my voice and ask, “What’s going on, sweetheart? Did something happen?”
“No,” she murmurs against my cotton T-shirt. “I just got here and saw all the other designers and we’re supposed to be meeting Paris any minute now and—”
“Hey, it’s okay. Take a deep breath.” I gently extricate her arms from around me and look down into her face.
The worried expression she wears is a new one.
Little lines crease her forehead, and her big, brown, beautiful eyes are full of uncertainty.
It’s enough to make me want to cradle her against my chest until all this is over.
But she has to walk through this. All I can do is hold her hand while she does.
“Was it just that?” I ask. “Seeing the other designers?”
Her chest expands with a full breath, and she nods. “They look so...so...professional. Have you seen any of their designs?”
“I haven’t,” I admit. “But I’ve seen yours. And I can say with confidence that you’ve got nothing to worry about. You should be proud of what you put together tonight.”
“I am, but—” Her teeth sink into her lower lip. “I’m just so new at this, Dane. Some of these other people look like they’ve been doing this for years . And it’s not just people from our little podunk town; designers have come from all over for this. It’s way bigger than I thought it’d be.”
“That’s good, though, right?” I skim my hands down her arms. “Stiff competition is what you want. You wouldn’t be happy with a win otherwise, am I right?”
Her perfect lips tilt into the beginnings of a smirk. “I guess not.”
“Of course you wouldn’t,” I reiterate. “You’re Daria Dantez.
A fierce, competitive, amazingly talented, beautiful woman.
And your innovative designs are going to stop the show tonight.
” I tug her back against me and cup her face in my hands.
“Plus, I think you’re forgetting one very valuable asset you’ve got on your side. ”
“Hm,” she hums dreamily, her gaze falling to my mouth. “What’s that?”
“Your bunless burger, bland taco eating, bodybuilder boyfriend is your male model.” Her lips stretch until she’s open-mouthed smiling. “And he’s going to rock that runway for you.”
She snorts a laugh. “A little full of yourself, aren’t you?”
I rest my hands on her lower back. “Nah. Just stating the truth. You like my confident side. Just like I like yours .”
At that, her smile fades. “I don’t feel very confident tonight.”
“I know, D.” I gently rub my hands up and down her back, massaging lightly. “And that’s understandable. This is a big step for you, a turning point in your career. It’s totally normal to be nervous. But trust me when I say it’s all going to be okay.”
“Even if I lose?”
I gently twine a strand of her dark hair between my fingers before hooking it behind her ear. “Even if you lose. Your designs will be out there for all to see tonight. That’s a step in the right direction, win or lose.”
A deep sigh loosens from her chest. “You’re right. This is about exposure, not just about winning.”
“That’s my girl.” I press a light kiss to her forehead. “You’ve got this. And I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
She pulls back and sets her hands on my shoulders. “But my friends don’t know about us. If we talk or flirt too much...”
She doesn’t finish her sentence. Maybe because she’s not sure what consequences, if any, she’ll face once they find out. I’m not even sure why exactly she wants to keep us a secret, but I haven’t seen a reason to push the issue. I’m just grateful she likes me at all.
“You could just tell them,” I suggest.
Her eyes widen. “Tell them? As in confess that I’m dating you ?”
I’d be offended by her statement if she hadn’t said we were dating. Technically, we aren’t. But she just said we are, and that alone fills me with so much satisfaction I could run laps around this place on sheer adrenaline.
“Why not?” I ask. “They seem to like me.”
She scoffs. “Um, duh. Because Jamie will start planning my wedding tonight . She’ll have color schemes and bridesmaids' dresses picked out...I’ll never hear the end of her white-picket fence ideals until I’m taking your last name.”
Riotous colors explode behind my eyes at hearing her say that.
Taking your last name. Taking your last name. Taking your last name.
“I’ve never heard anything more beautiful come out of your mouth,” I say, tightening my grip on her. I lean close and press a kiss to her lips. “Say it again.”
“I— what ?”
“Talk about taking my last name.”
Her jaw hardens and she leans away. “No. Why...why would you say that to me? Right now, of all times?”
“I—” Am clearly an idiot. I don’t know why I said that except hearing her even imply it could be a possibility overrode my senses in the best—and obviously worst—of ways. “I’m sorry,” I say immediately. “You need to focus on the show right now, not us.”
Her throat muscles constrict on a swallow as she steps out of my arms. “Please don’t say anything to them. I’m not...I’m not ready to tell them.” Again, she swallows. I hear what she’s saying, but it feels more like I’m not ready to go there with you. Not now, maybe not ever .
I dip my chin in agreement anyway. “All right. I won’t say anything.”
“Guys?” A knock sounds on the door. “It’s time to meet with Paris.” Jamie .
Daria blows out a breath, rushes over to the sink, and gives herself one last look. “Oh my gosh, this is it. This is it .”
“You’re going to do great,” I say, not even sure she’s listening anymore. “I’ll say a prayer for you.”
“Thanks.” She rushes by me without another word, not even so much as a squeeze of my hand. Then I’m left standing in the women’s restroom like a creep. Worse than that, I'm a brokenhearted creep who might’ve just ruined his only chance with the girl of his dreams.