CHAPTER 39 TWO AGAINST ONE
TWO AGAINST ONE
Orchid
Navigating the tents at Lincoln Center during Fashion Week was akin to getting through an international airport, security and all.
Cavernous white spaces led hordes of showgoers through metal screens and ID checks to arrive to the runway location.
Only Orchid’s glossy paperboard ticket printed with the right words allowed her this far.
Dolce & Gabbana made Orchid’s love of leather and faux fur look good, even when worn together in a seemingly unplanned flurry.
Crowded into the vestibule to await seating, Orchid studied the varied looks of the fashion editors, bloggers and others.
The attendees swirled with a mix of colors, prints, naked shoulders, and high heels.
Orchid paid homage to the designers, layering a pleather minidress pressed into a subtle reptilian pattern over monochrome tights and platforms that bolstered her to six feet.
A simple stack of metal and crystal around her wrists completed the look.
Cool tonal music pulsed in over the speakers, setting the mood for a breezy, effortless show.
The hubbub generated by hundreds chatting seemed to mute as she caught sight of a crisp white shirt, tailored slacks and wavy-haired guy better-looking than the models shown on the screens around the tent. Phoenix’s head tilted toward the woman with whom he was conversing.
Orchid weaved through the crowd, unable to stop drinking in the mirage of Phoenix, even as every sip fed her longing and the requisite stab of rejection that accompanied it.
Closer now, she could see that the athletic platinum blonde woman’s arm was clearly wrapped around him, as was his around her.
The tight embrace was even more intimate than the one she’d witnessed with Liv a month and a half earlier.
Her blonde head leaned against his chest as the two enjoyed their private bubble.
Shit, this guy gets around. With his looks and smarts, no surprise.
Sensing her approach, he pivoted his eyes up without moving another muscle.
The look he gave her hitched in her throat.
She’d seen that expression before. After the initial surprise, his eyes stormed.
She was uncertain if it was with desire, tenderness or regret.
Which parts were for her, and which parts resulted from the rendezvous with his flaxen-haired companion?
“Hey there,” she said.
“Hey, Orchid, what are you doing here?”
She gestured towards the echoing space up high in the tent. “Same as you, I guess . . . ditching work?”
“C’mon, in our industries? This is work.”
She took a step closer. “I’ve been calling and emailing. I was worried about you. Your brother said something happened. Are you okay?”
He unlocked their tight stare and licked his lips. “Yeah, I’m okay.” He turned toward the blonde, who was staring back and forth between them. “Tish, this is Orchid. Orchid, this is Tish, my ex.”
Tish? Oh crap, THE Tish? The Tish who Caleb used as a warning story?
The couple unhooked their arms around each other long enough for Tish to shake hands with Orchid.
“What happened with Liv?” Orchid asked, jealousy spiking her tone.
“Liv?” he repeated, confused. “My admin?”
“Admin? Isn’t it unethical to date a subordinate?”
“Date?” Phoenix asked. “I’m not dating Liv.” He looked down at Tish for affirmation.
Tish grinned. “You were right that today would be fun. This is entertaining. Maybe you should invite her to the wedding.”
“Wedding?” Orchid’s voice squeaked. “Seriously?”
Didn’t take long for them to get back together. Shock hit her in slow motion. Orchid could feel the permanency of the idea travel through her brain, thick with denial.
“Yeah, first week in April. Cipriani’s,” Tish said.
She stared at him in disbelief. “Cipriani’s? Where we attended the Effies?”
“You mean you think—” He stopped and stared at her, eyes narrowing. “Is it really so shocking? Not everyone has the same hang-ups as you, you know.”
Hang ups? Was being jealous of his engagement a hang-up?
A security guard dressed in a well-cut black suit and slender, matching-hued tie came to face Phoenix and Tish. “You two can come in now. I can’t take a third though,” he said, eyeing Orchid.
“She’s not with us,” Tish said.
And they were gone.