Chapter 50
CHAPTER FIFTY
The Really Big Space
New York Fashion Week
Mid-September
Camille was certain that whoever had come up with the phrase ‘morning sickness’ had never been pregnant. She felt green around the gills from the time she woke each morning, only finally coming good late in the day. By that time fatigue would take hold and she would be asleep on the couch by seven o’clock. Without Ryan, who had shown himself to be a jack of all trades, and a skillful master of some, she didn’t know what she’d have done.
Her lack of energy stood in stark contrast to his never ending ability to keep going. As she watched him hustling and bustling all around the Cinderella in the City runway set, Camille had a sneaky feeling. His efforts had as much to do with Francois and Martina’s impending ‘surprise’ visit as it did the actual fashion collection.
The show was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and Bryce had called a little earlier giving them the heads up that Camille’s parents had arrived from France. They were staying with Edward and Alice Royal at their private estate in Armonk, New York.
Her parents still hadn’t called her.
She was in two minds about that. On the one hand, she was grateful they hadn’t just turned up on her doorstep—not that they would ever do something so crass—while on the other hand, she was more than a little put out by their lack of communication.
“What’s with the giant taxi posters?” asked a familiar voice.
Camille spun round to find Sophie standing a few feet away. Her sister dropped her large tote bag, and rushed to greet her. They hugged one another for the longest minute. “I’ve missed you so much,” said a tearful Sophie, when they finally parted.
“You have no idea how good it is to see you. Now that you are finally here, it feels like my runway show is really happening,” gushed an equally emotional Camille.
She glanced behind her sister, half expecting her parents to suddenly appear. “No Mama or Papa?”
“No. Thank heavens for small mercies. I told them I was going clubbing. One of the Royal Resorts drivers dropped me off out front of the building.”
Sophie turned and pointed at Liam Collins. Liam who was standing a few feet away, was busy messing with his camera. “And that cute guy let me follow him through the door and into the elevator.”
“That’s Ryan’s brother, Liam. He’s handling the photography for the runway show,” explained Camille.
Camille waved Liam over. “Liam, this is my sister Sophie. She tells me the two of you have already met. Sophie’s just arrived from Paris.”
Liam, who was a darker haired version of his younger brother, offered Sophie a shy smile. “Yes, we did. It’s lovely to officially meet you, Sophie. Paris hey? You must be tired after the flight. Paris is one of my favorite cities.”
Sophie arched a brow. “I slept pretty much the whole flight. And Paris is one of your favorite places? Really. I find its dirty, noisy, and full of tourists most of the time. But it is home.”
Liam set down his camera bag. “I’m thinking that if the photo work from this runway show is well received, I might head over to Paris next January. See if I can pick up some work for fashion week.”
“Our father will be launching his next haute couture collection around fashion week. Do you have a portfolio I might be able to take a look at?” replied Sophie.
“Of course.”
Sophie and Liam were still talking about lighting and photo layouts as Camille quietly backed away and went in search of Ryan. It didn’t escape her notice that the two of them made a cute pair. They each had a quiet way of moving about the world.
Oh my god, what if they fell for one another?
My sister. His brother. Now that would be an interesting mix.
After a few minutes of searching she finally found Ryan. He was checking the swing tags on clothes and ticking things off on his iPad.
He was so engrossed in the task that he didn’t move until Camille tapped him on the shoulder. Ryan jumped and let out a cry. “Ah!”
Camille laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I just came to tell you that Liam has arrived, along with my sister Sophie.”
Resting her hand on his arm, leaned in close. “I left the two of them having a very in-depth conversation about runway photography. They look really sweet together. I think your brother might be looking to make a pitch for a job at Paris fashion week.”
“No playing matchmaker with our siblings. I’ve still got to get in the good books with your father before we head to France,” replied Ryan.
The prospect of going home filled Camille with nervous excitement. They’d danced around the subject of the M word but only in a vague way. She’d hinted that her father was a traditional, dare she say ‘old- fashioned’ man. If Ryan ever planned to propose to her, he’d score a lot of points with his future father in law if he went to Paris and sought Francois’ blessing.
“So your folks are here as well?” asked Ryan, going back to ticking off items on his iPad.
“No, they are at my aunt and uncle’s house. They won’t make an appearance until the runway show begins. I think they are both still mortified by the whole social media exposé thing.”
Ryan set his iPad down on a nearby table, and with casual ease pulled Camille into his embrace. She loved it when he held her this way. Closing her eyes, she giggled as he peppered her face with tiny gentle kisses.
I could get used to a whole lifetime of being loved by this man.
“I’m almost finished checking the garments. So when I’m done, how about we call it a day? If Liam and Sophie are getting on so well, then I might ask if he could show her the city sights tonight. You and I could then go back to the apartment, order in some food, and just chill.”
It was the end of a long afternoon of making final preparations, and Camille was starting to flag. She had an inkling that tomorrow was going to be the longest day of her life.
The runway show had not only completely sold out and had a waitlist, but from what one of Julia Spence’s minions had told Ryan, every media outlet in the country was planning on covering the event. And to top it all off, her parents were in town.
“Food and alone time sounds good,” replied Camille.
Ryan gave her one last kiss, then let her go. “I’ve got one last important phone call I have to make before we leave. So maybe go check on your sister and my brother. I can meet you at the elevator in a little while.”
As Camille walked away, a gentle smile found its way to her lips. Her hand rested over her belly, and she whispered, “Little one, you had better be ready for a lifetime of to-do-lists, with your papa.”
Ryan Collins was the most organized man on the planet.