27. Chapter 27 #2
Once all the designers are lined up, the coordinator gathers the models. “I need all of you waiting in the wings in case your designer places in the top three. If their name gets called, you’re to meet them on stage and accept the award together.”
Hm. That’s a nice touch. At least I’ll get to see Daria’s face when she accepts the check for ten grand.
I have no doubt she’ll win it all tonight.
Not only were her clothes superior in quality and creativity, but her hard work was evident in every facet of her fashion.
She deserves this, and there’s nothing I want more for her than to succeed in all she sets her mind to.
Paris’s voice echoes through the event hall as she congratulates all the designers on their incredible work tonight. It truly was a well-thought-out event and really brought to light the local talent.
She announces the third-place winner, and I’m assuming hands them the thousand-dollar check. A couple models squeal their excitement just as the coordinator calls, “Team three, you’re up!”
I rub my hands together, sudden apprehension needling at me. Briar and Jamie lock arms as if to draw strength from each other. It’s surprising how nervous we all are. Guess it just proves how much we care about the dreams Daria holds so close to her heart.
“Team ten, that’s you!”
The models with the last designer head to the stage, all smiles.
This is it, the moment of truth. I wish more than anything that I could be holding Daria’s hand right now, giving her a measure of comfort, whispering in her ear that no matter what, she did an amazing job tonight.
Seconds tick by as Paris builds excitement for the first-place winner of tonight’s show. Then, finally, she calls the name.
Daria Dantez.
Jamie and Briar scream their excitement while jumping up and down. Then Jamie leaps at me, tossing her arms around my neck. I wrap my arms around them both and try to usher them forward before the coordinator can call our number.
When we reach the stage, Daria covers her mouth with her hands as tears freely slide down her cheeks. I’ve only ever seen her cry one other time, and those weren’t tears of joy. The sight of her so excited, so happy , has emotion clogging my throat.
Paris has one arm draped around Daria’s shoulders as she extends what I assume is an envelope with the prize money out to her.
Camera flashes and congratulatory cheers fill the event space as we reach Daria’s side.
To my surprise, her eyes find mine first. I imagine her darting forward and jumping into my arms. I’d catch her and kiss her until she couldn’t breathe, not caring a bit that we’re on stage in front of all these people.
But she doesn’t.
She just holds my gaze, a silent thank you written in the depths of her chocolate eyes. And I nod, quietly accepting it. It’s a moment so brief no one else would notice. But I do. I cling to it, hoping we get time to say everything that needs to be said later.
Briar and Jamie wrap Daria in a hug just before Paris hands Daria the mic. “Would you like to say a few words?” the influencer asks.
Daria’s eyes go wide, but she accepts. “Um, I just want to say thank you. To all the judges, to my friends who helped me make this happen, to Paris...and to everyone who came out to make tonight special for us...just thank you. I’m honored to accept this award.”
The crowd erupts in applause, and I look to where my family and friends are seated. Mom’s on her feet, whistling between two fingers, while Dad, Logan, and Parker all clap their congratulations.
It’s a touching moment I want to remember forever, and I can only imagine how elated Daria must feel.
The next few minutes are a blur as we’re rushed backstage to tear down our section and pack everything up. All three of the girls are laughing and smiling like they’re floating on a cloud. I leave them to their reverie and do most of the heavy lifting until my family appear backstage.
Jamie runs and jumps into my younger brother’s arms almost exactly like I’d imagined Daria doing to me on stage.
Logan smirks as he approaches. “So you switching careers now or...?” I punch him in the arm for his dumb question.
“Hey, even I might seriously consider it after what I witnessed tonight.” He sends me a pointed look.
“You’re just dying for women to check you out for once.”
I’m almost sure his attention darts to Briar for a split second before he jokes, “Har, har. You’re a comedian too.”
“A comedian with a nice butt , don’t forget.”
He shoves me just before Mom grabs my face in her tiny hands. “You were spectacular.” With a firm pat, she adds, “Marry her now before she becomes famous or you’ll miss your chance.”
I roll my eyes and gently remove her hands. “How about we save this completely inappropriate conversation for later, yeah?”
In true Alexandra Kent style, she huffs, pursing her lips and moving on to congratulate Daria and Jamie on a job well done.
Max and Theo filter in next. Max claps me on the shoulder. “Hey there, Mr. Model. Seemed like you were the star of the show tonight.”
“He’s right,” Theo adds, his smile climbing. “It kind of got old having to listen to people around us murmuring about the sexy guy in the green pants.”
My gaze involuntarily wanders to Daria. She’s a few feet away, kindly entertaining Mom as she gestures wildly and goes on about tonight’s highlights. I turn back to Max.
“Not me. It was all her.”
Both my friends eye me with sudden interest. “Called it,” Max says with a shake of his head. “Knew something was up the moment you let her move in with you.”
“Well, I knew something was up at Parker and Jamie’s wedding rehearsal.”
Giving them both a droll look, I grip each of their shoulders and squeeze. “Congratulations, boys. You each win a prize. Help me carry all this stuff out to my car.”
They chuckle and agree to help. Before long, everything’s packed up, and it seems everyone’s adrenaline is starting to wear off. Yawns spread throughout our group, evidence of just how late it is.
And I’ve got a busy day tomorrow. I promised Daria I’d help her pack.
In just two days, she’ll be moving out and into her new apartment.
While I’m happy she’s getting what she wants, there’s no denying the deep ache that pulses through me each time I think about waking up in my apartment without her there.
No more sharing meals or stealing forbidden kisses. No more early morning bedhead or coming home to a mess in the kitchen... I shove the melancholy thoughts aside for another day.
“I’m heading home,” I say to Daria, quietly so no one will overhear. “Is there anything else you need before I do?”
She quickly shakes her head. “No, I think I’m good. I’ll see you later?” The silent hope in her tone does something to me I can’t explain. Maybe she wants to talk about what happened earlier as badly as I do.
“Yeah. Of course.” I discreetly let my fingers tangle with hers, just long enough to squeeze the pads of her fingertips. “See you then.”
I give the rest of my family hugs, then slip into my car and head home. The sudden burst of adrenaline that rushes through me after such a long night is unexpected. But it seems that with Daria, unexpected is just par for the course.