22. Oakley
TWENTY-TWO
OAKLEY
I’m about to crawl out of my skin. Between this uncomfortable tuxedo and what I learned about how Alain treated Lowen, I’m squirming, but I do my best to sit still.
I’ve told myself I wouldn’t push Low or tell him I how I feel about him too soon, but fuck, I just want to pull him into my arms and confess that I want this to last. I want to be the guy who proves to him what love really is.
My attention shifts when there’s movement to Lowen’s left. I’m surprised to see Alain’s man sit in the empty seat and lean in to whisper something to Lowen, who for his part, smiles graciously. From all the rehearsals we’ve done, I think the show is about to start, but Gerard sits tight.
Now it’s my turn to lean in and whisper. “What’s going on with that?”
With a fake smile on his face, Lowen murmurs, “I’ll tell you later.”
I nod, holding his hand in mine. The curtains open and a woman dressed in a gorgeous red silk gown walks out, assisted by none other than Alain Durand. The crowd claps, as does Lowen, but I can feel the tension spreading through him. I know his body language pretty well by now.
We sit through a presentation on the new offices the magazine will inhabit soon and then a brief history of the awards and why they’re being held in New Onyx this year. When they announce that they will return to Paris after this event and going forward, all the tension drains from Lowen’s face.
I don’t think he’s enjoying any of this. I guess I thought he’d be in his element again, but he seems anxious to get to the end of the week and back to life in Willow Bay. Probably a good sign for me since I can’t really afford to keep that rock on his finger.
An hour in, Lowen leans over, squeezing my thigh. “See you soon.”
“I’ll be right here.”
I watch him walk away to slip backstage so he can present next, glancing briefly at Gerard, who’s also watching Lowen. He turns and smiles awkwardly at me, then shifts to move into Lowen’s vacated seat.
“Hi. Oakley, right?”
“Yes. Gerard?”
“Right. Are you enjoying your time in the city?”
“I live here. Close to here, but I do a lot of work in the city. You?”
“Paris. I live there now. I stayed after I graduated, but I’m from the West Coast.”
I nod, glancing at the stage, but the last winner is still going on about all the people he wants to thank.
“Lowen is my idol,” Gerard says abruptly. “I decided to become a designer because of him. I know the circumstances are strange, but I asked if he had a few minutes before everything was over to chat. Alain hasn’t given me much free time.”
My jaw ticks, but I nod. “Cool.”
The music comes on again and we quiet down, waiting as none other than Alain introduces Lowen. That had to be planned. They could have had the other presenter do it.
Lowen walks out to loud applause, pausing to put his hand over his chest and slightly bow his head, then he continues to the podium. He seems like he might not acknowledge Alain at all, but I see his lips move and then Alain’s gaze shoots out to the audience, pausing when he finds Gerard sitting next to me. I wave just to be a dick.
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” Lowen says, now standing at the mic. “I’m so pleased to present the latest Up-and-Coming Designer of the Year award. Our winner set foot in Paris only six years ago, quickly immersing themselves in the scene through numerous internships, finally landing at the House of Whitley two years ago, where Amanda Whitley herself saw this person’s potential and unleashed it upon us all through four boutique hotels and two bougie restaurants in the city. Please give a warm welcome to our winner, Alec Quinn.”
We all clap as the tall, lanky designer stands and walks to the stage. They’re wearing a white suit that clings tightly, with wild platform boots in many colors. Their hair is long and wavy down the center and dyed pink and teal, but shaved on the sides, and they sport many facial piercings.
When Alec reaches Lowen, they do that air kiss thing on the cheeks, then Lowen hands off the award and moves to the back. I keep my eyes on Lowen, still awed at how composed he is in a situation like this. Under the lights up there, his outfit is very see-through and his skin seems to glimmer from here.
Damn, he’s gorgeous.
Alec finishes up their speech and the two of them walk off stage together. A few minutes later, Lowen returns, sitting down in his original seat now that Gerard has moved over again.
“You told Alain that Gerard was sitting with us, didn’t you?”
“I sure did.”
“Savage,” I whisper.
“I could be so much worse. I should get credit for that.”
“Consider it granted.”
He smiles, then turns toward me, squeezing my knee. It seems like he wants to tell me something, but he just kisses my cheek.
“You good, kitten?”
He nods. “Yes.”
“Almost time for your award.”
“Then we can leave and be alone again.”
“You don’t have to stick around after?”
He shrugs. “I mean, they’d probably like it, but what are they gonna do if I don’t?”
We sit through a few more awards. I keep stealing glances at the ring on his finger. He looks damn good being wifed up. By me. I want to growl possessively at the thought.
The female presenter, Stacia something, comes out on stage and Lowen shifts in his seat, aware that all eyes are about to be on him. He was very clear that if Alain presented his award, he would walk out, and it looks like they took his threat seriously.
Stacia goes on and on about Lowen’s many accomplishments in Paris, accompanied by a slideshow of his works behind her. I’m truly stunned by all that he did, from hotels and restaurants to office buildings and a few boutiques.
Of course they talk about his time as co-owner of The House of Durand and Ainsley, with more pictures of the two men in professional settings, working side by side. That part is glossed over pretty quickly, and I have to guess that was also Lowen’s doing. Stacia talks about how there was no one else they would dream of giving this award to. Turns out it’s the inaugural year, kind of like a lifetime achievement award. Wonder what Alain thinks about Lowen getting it first.
“Please help me congratulate our first winner of the Parisian Beauty Contribution Award, Lowen Ainsley.”
The room erupts in applause, and seconds later, a standing ovation. I rise to my feet, offering my hand to Lowen. He stands, pressing a nice kiss to my mouth before turning to walk to the stage.
I’m clapping like everyone else and holding back the desire to whistle. Lowen is elegant and poised as he accepts the statuette from Stacia, glancing out at the sea of people who can’t seem to get enough of him.
“Thank you all so much,” he says as the clapping finally dies down and people take their seats. “I’m truly honored to receive such an accolade. You can’t imagine how much it means to me to have my work recognized by my peers.” He glances at the award, then up again with a soft smile on his lips. “There are so many people who were part of my journey, and it would take hours to thank them all. Just know that if we ever worked together, I remember you, and I thank you for helping me achieve my vision. I won’t go on forever, but I have to thank my fiancé, Oakley.”
My heart stutters in my chest, but I keep the smile plastered on my face.
“He came into my life when I was still finding my footing stateside. He became a trusted business partner first, then a friend, then…” He pauses, exhaling slowly. “More than I ever dreamed of. Sometimes we have our plans and the path for how we’ll get there all laid out, but things don’t always work out the way you hoped they would.”
My throat tightens with emotion. He’s being so open.
“But just when you think you’re completely lost, the path drops you off exactly where you were supposed to be. I was supposed to come here, back to New Onyx, so that my path could bring me to Oakley. Thank you for being exactly who you said you were.”
I blow him a kiss, aware of people watching me.
“I must also thank the fabulous designer Belle, who rivals my own aesthetic for indulgent beauty, for this creation I’m wearing tonight.”
He finishes up with a few more thank yous to the publication and then he leaves the stage to more applause. When he returns to his seat, I wrap my arm around him and kiss him hard, hearing the clicking of cameras from somewhere in the room.
“I’m so proud of you, kitten,” I whisper as we settle in our chairs again.
“I meant what I said up there. That part wasn’t fake.”
“I know.”
Lowen’s was the last award, and now Stacia and Alain are thanking everyone and talking about the reception in the next ballroom.
“As soon as the lights come up, make for the elevators,” Lowen whispers.
“You got it, babe.”
I keep an eye on the doors, and minutes later, the awards end with clapping. Lowen and I stand up, hoping to get lost in the mingling crowd, but Gerard is quick to get Lowen’s attention and Lowen frowns at me.
“I forgot I said I’d give him a few minutes.”
“No problem.”
“Balcony,” he says to Gerard.
Gerard nods and the three of us walk in the opposite direction from all the other people, stepping out into the freezing night air to chat away from prying eyes. Using my body, I shelter Lowen from the cold and from anyone who might be looking for him.
Gerard, tugging his suit jacket around himself, smiles nervously. “Thank you. I know this has to be quick. Alain will come looking for me soon.”
Lowen nods. “What can I answer for you?”
Gerard’s gaze flicks to me quickly, and something about his expression makes me nervous.
“Tell me the truth, Lowen. Please.” Gerard’s pleasant expression crumbles. “Do you still love him?”
Lowen pulls his head back. “Who? Alain?”
Gerard nods. “Because if you do, I just want to know.”
“Absolutely not. Why would you even ask me that?”
“Because all he ever does is talk about you. How brilliant you were, even though your head got too big, and how the work you did was stellar, even though you needed him to get the really big accounts.”
“What?” Lowen is incredulous. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I wondered if you might still talk to him.”
“God no.”
“Sometimes I think he wishes I were you instead.”
“Oh no,” Lowen says. “This is awful.”
“Why?” Gerard asks. “Is there something I should know?”
“Yes, sweetheart. There’s something you should know.”