Chapter 34
Isabelle felt like a princess. Her silver Ralph Molenaar gown flowed down to the floor, and her hair was teased into a sophisticated updo. The diamond necklace and earrings she wore cost more than her annual salary, which was evidenced by the guards standing at the far end of the runway and backstage.
Cole had taken position opposite the backstage security guard, his weapon hidden beneath his suit jacket.
She caught his gaze out of the corner of her eye, and he winked at her.
The smile she had pasted on for the cameras widened. She still couldn’t believe Cole had declared his love, especially in such an unexpected way, or how those three little words had become such a common phrase between them over the past five days.
Beside her, Marit turned her head slightly, no doubt to find Lars in the photographer’s area. The love between the two was palpable, but the little seed of envy Isabelle had experienced when she’d first arrived in Paris had died, leaving only happiness for herself and her friend.
Lars took several shots of Marit, Isabelle, and Nadia before redirecting his camera toward the three models mirroring their position on the other side of the runway entrance.
Lars had barely lowered his camera when Ralph stepped through the curtains and took his place beside Marit.
Applause erupted, the crowd coming to their feet.
Ralph bowed, and the applause only increased. He waved one hand toward the models on his right and then repeated the gesture toward Marit, Isabelle, and Nadia.
After bowing a second time, he lifted a hand in the air to acknowledge the crowd and stepped back through the curtains. Isabelle fell in line as the models filed off the runway and into the backstage area.
Cole appeared at her side an instant later. So did the security guard.
“Mademoiselles, please wait here while we collect the jewelry,” the guard said.
“Better wait for Lars,” Cole said.
Lars approached before the guard had a chance to respond. Apparently, he wasn’t willing to walk around to the backstage entrance, instead following the models’ path through the curtains.
“Let me photograph the pieces as we pack them,” Lars instructed the guard.
One by one, the models removed their necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, Lars documenting each piece with his camera.
As soon as Isabelle handed over the pieces adorning her neck and ears, she placed her hand on Cole’s arm. “I’m going to change.”
Cole nodded. “I’ll meet you by those cubbies where you left your purse.”
“It’s not my purse,” Isabelle said. “I need to return it to Ralph.”
“We can take care of that before we leave.” Cole leaned in and kissed her cheek. “See you in a few minutes.”
Isabelle nodded.
Marit stepped up beside her. “I’ll come with you.”
The two made their way to the dressing rooms and changed into their regular clothes. Isabelle set her high heels on the rack and took her time to pull on her favorite sneakers.
Relieved that her blisters had healed significantly over the past few days, she stepped out of her changing room and found Marit waiting for her.
“I can’t believe I’m finally finished.” Isabelle let out a sigh of relief. “My modeling career is over.”
“Maybe,” Marit said. “If Esmee has her way, this is only the beginning.”
“That’s sweet of her to think I can be successful at this, but from now on, I’m leaving the modeling to you. It’s way too much work for me.”
Marit laughed. “Come on. Let’s find our boyfriends.”
Isabelle led the way to the cubbies and retrieved the bag that she and Marit had been sharing since Marit’s was stolen. “We need to find something to put our stuff in so we can return this purse to Ralph.”
“I’ll bet he has a bag or box we can use.” Marit headed toward where Ralph was standing with several of his assistants, an air of celebration sparking in the air.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Marit said, stepping beside Ralph. “Do you have something we can put our stuff in so we can return your bag to you?”
Ralph shook his head. “I want you to keep it.”
“Oh, we couldn’t possibly—” Marit began.
“Of course you can. Without you and your friends, my company would have been ruined.” He motioned to one of his assistants. “Where’s the other one?”
“Right here.” The woman picked up another purse he had designed.
“I’ll let the two of you decide who wants which one,” Ralph said.
“You really don’t have to do that,” Isabelle said.
“It’s a small token of my appreciation,” Ralph said. “Truly, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Marit accepted the second bag from the assistant.
A reporter approached Ralph, pulling him away.
“That was very kind of him,” Isabelle said.
“It really was,” Marit agreed. “You know what I think?”
“What?”
“You and Cole need to stay through the weekend, and we need to have the guys take us out where we can enjoy having these great new bags.”
“As long as I don’t have to put on another pair of heels, that sounds like a fabulous idea.”