Chapter 11
Tess
The next morning, I woke up to a text from Liam.
Liam: Morning! How’s the search for panties going today?
I grinned, remembering that embarrassing conversation.
Tess: Hey…I’d been searching for the phone. Which was under the panties. And I don’t start all my mornings like that : )
I didn’t confess that I was still in bed. It felt too intimate.
Liam: So I just got lucky?
Tess: Or unlucky. Depends how you look at it.
Liam: When it comes to you, I’m always lucky.
Over the next two days, Liam texted me in the most unexpected moments, asking me what I was having for lunch or even just what I was doing. He was constantly on my mind.
On the night of the Proenza Schouler show, I was all nervous and jittery as I arrived at Spring Studios on St John’s Lane in Tribeca twenty minutes early.
I loved the endless opportunities New York offered, especially when it came to fashion events, and especially Fashion Week—which was more like fashion months, really, with events spread throughout September and October.
I felt so fancy in my cocktail dress and light coat.
I was shivering a little, because though it was mid-September, it was pretty chilly, but I wasn’t going to spend much time outside.
The crowd was thick in front of the entrance.
It was a great opportunity to meet important people, but this wasn’t the best time for striking up a conversation.
After the show, everyone was more relaxed and open.
Magazine and industry heavy hitters were all here, but I was leaving the socializing for later.
Right now, I was a little starstruck as I spotted Gisele Bündchen and her husband walk in.
A few seconds later, I noticed two actors from my favorite superhero movies.
I was so busy trying to spot other celebrities that I didn’t notice Liam until he was standing right in front of me.
He was wearing a dark-blue suit and bow tie paired with a white shirt. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He always dripped masculinity and sex appeal, but right then, he was just off-the-charts sexy. The man could easily be the cover model for GQ . I wanted to kiss every inch of his skin.
Holy shit, if my thoughts darted down that dirty road so early in the evening, how much dirtier could they get at the end of it?
“Hey! Here’s your ticket.” Our fingers brushed when he took it from my hand, and I swear I felt that touch in all my intimate places.
How was that even possible? I quickly lowered my hand.
It wasn’t the first time my body reacted to him like that.
Every time I saw him, I seemed to become even more susceptible to his touch.
“This is my first time at a fashion show,” Liam said.
“Really? It’ll be fun. And no talking about the contract, okay?”
“Great. When does the networking start? Now or after the event?”
“After.”
“Okay.” Abruptly, he looked over my shoulder. “Is that Tom Brady over there?”
I chuckled. “I like that you noticed him first. Most men would see Gisele before him.”
He returned his focus to me. “I’m only interested in one woman tonight.”
Holy. Shit.
I cleared my throat. “Anyway, Proenza Schouler is very talented. I’m hoping to pick up some inspiration from the theme for my brother’s wedding too.”
He smiled broadly. “I haven’t met anyone who thinks about their family as much as you do.”
“I just want to make them happy. So anyway, that’s one of my goals. The other is to add any new trends to our customization options.”
“I believe I made my goals clear,” he said. His eyes smoldered.
I swallowed hard, licking my lips. Oh, I remembered his goals.
Making me blush. Kissing me. Learning me.
Yeah, I read that message until the words were etched in my brain.
“Which one would you like to start with?” I teased. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was enjoying this too much.
His eyes flashed. “Which would you prefer?”
“I get to choose?”
“Of course.”
I fidgeted in my spot, biting my lower lip.
“You’re nervous,” Liam said. “Why?”
He leaned into me, as if inviting me to whisper in his ear.
On impulse, I tilted forward and confessed, “I’m not sure what I’m doing.”
Laughing softly, he straightened up. “How about we just figure it out as we go?”
“Hmmm…sounds risky.”
Liam was silent for a beat, just pinning me with his gaze.
“I like you, Tess. I mean it. I like that you’re strong and know what you want.
I like that you’d do anything for your family even though you have zero time.
I like that you asked all sorts of inappropriate questions during the get-together evening and wouldn’t let me off the hook until I answered. ”
Oh wow. If I thought my pulse was quick before, now it escalated to another level. It pounded in my ears, reverberating through my whole body.
Just then, the crowd started to move toward the entrance.
“Let’s go inside,” I whispered.
“Whatever you wish.” His tone was still playful, but his eyes didn’t lie. They were still as smoldering as ever.
As we stood in line, he placed a hand at the small of my back. Even through my jacket and dress, I felt that touch as if it was skin-on-skin contact.
After taking off my jacket and leaving it in the designated spot at the entrance, I tried to focus on my surroundings, on anything but the sexy man next to me.
Spring Studios was a glamorous location, perfect for a fashion show. There was a green marble bar to one side with round high seats along the counter. On the opposite side was a huge glass window overlooking Tribeca.
The string of spotlights above cast a pleasant glow in the room. There were five rows of seats on each side of the runway. Liam and I were sitting in the fourth.
Even after we sat and the chatter died away, I was still very much aware of the handsome man next to me.
Focus on the runway, Tess. Focus.
Just a few rows in front were the representatives of giant industry magazines like Vogue and Cosmopolitan .
Every aspiring designer wanted a chance to talk to them, pitch their ideas.
But I wasn’t one of them. Those publications weren’t really our targets.
I approached this differently. We contacted fashion and lifestyle bloggers, YouTubers, Instagrammers.
Some of the more influential ones scored invitations to these shows, and I was trying to see where they were seated.
Some sported at least a tote that showed off their brand, but some were incognito.
I did note a few in the crowd though, and I made a mental note to approach them later.
Once the first model strutted out on the runway, I was completely fascinated.
I loved Proenza Schouler. They had a perfect blend of urbanism and feminine delicacy in their collections, sometimes in the same outfit. They paired jeans with silk or even lace. A tiny clutch could completely elevate even the most laid-back outfit.
I was bursting with ideas. As discreetly as possible, I took out my phone. I typed as quickly as I could, hoping my notes would make sense.
After putting my phone away, I focused on the runway again. Liam trailed his fingers up my forearm before placing his arm on my shoulder. Oh Lord. I was hyperaware of every spot where we touched.
“What’s next?” he asked after the last model came out. “Already know who you want to approach?”
“I’ve noticed two influential Instagrammers and a blogger I’d like to meet.”
“I’ve seen an advertising exec I’ve worked with before. And also the director of A La Mode . It’s not as big as Vogue , but in my opinion, it’s a better place for you to advertise. I can introduce you to him.”
“That would be great. Thanks.”
“Want to go around together? That way we can let them know we might work together. It could help you out if they know you have additional backing.”
“We haven’t even signed yet and you want me to brag about it?” He was right; that would make a huge difference, but it didn’t feel right, since we hadn’t sealed the deal.
“I think it’ll make some people pay more attention. Besides, I don’t want to risk losing you. I have plans for you and me later.”
“Oh?”
“Rounds first.”
“Then let’s win this crowd over, Mr. Harrington.”
Almost everyone stayed huddled around the bar.
The chatter was so loud it sounded like background music.
While we walked around, I was extremely aware of my body, as if it suddenly operated at another level.
Everything was heightened. He held his hand at my lower back, touched my shoulder or my arm at every turn.
The result was that I was on edge the entire time.
I approached my favorite Instagrammer, LorelaiInLingerie, and we spoke a bit about how we could collaborate.
“You’re very natural at this,” Liam remarked once Lorelai moved to someone else.
“I like socializing. And I like Lorelai’s account a lot.”
“I could tell. Everyone likes honest praise. And liking to socialize is an important quality in a business owner.”
“Am I still on probation?” I asked, batting my eyelashes.
He leaned in, whispering, “Am I?”
I shrugged a shoulder playfully. “Maybe.”
“Then let me show you how good a partner I’d make as an investor.”
We headed straight toward the owner of the advertising company he mentioned earlier. After introducing us, Liam talked about Soho Lingerie.
“They’ve got passion in spades, and you can see it everywhere from their products to their customer relationship,” he finished.
“Well, that sounds like someone who can take the industry by storm. Drop me an email, Tess. I’ll be happy to help you any way I can,” Jerry, the head of Eastside Advertising, said.
“Thank you.”
We actually emailed Eastside Advertising last year, asking for a proposal, and they replied that they don’t work with small shops. I shook my head, smiling to myself. It’s all in who you know. Now, because an investor was interested in us, they didn’t view us as the new kid on the block.