Chapter 29 #2
And then she dropped me like a hot potato.
Briggs’s phone started buzzing on the table. He glanced at the screen and grinned. “It’s Sebastian.” He answered on speaker. “You’re on with the whole family. We’re also at a restaurant, so don’t be too loud.”
“Hey, everyone!” Sebastian’s voice came through, accompanied by what sounded like waves in the background. “Those pictures looked amazing! How’s Santorini?”
“Beautiful,” Mom said. “We miss you, sweetheart.”
“Miss you too. Bernadette and I are having a great time, but I wanted to call and wish Dash luck tomorrow.” A pause. “You there, little brother?”
“I’m here.”
“Break a leg. Not literally. We need you in one piece for the next show.”
“Thanks, Sebastian.”
“Seriously, man. The set looks incredible. You nailed it.” Sebastian laughed. “Tell Adrian and Briggs they never should have doubted you.”
I shot a glance at my brothers, who both had the decency to look a little humbled, but even that huge victory didn’t hit home the way it would have a week ago. I forced a smile. “Appreciate it. I’m glad it came together.”
“Oh, and one more thing,” Sebastian said, his tone shifting to something more teasing. “Who’s the hottie in the picture on socials?”
My stomach dropped.
“What picture?” Mom asked immediately.
Sebastian gladly filled her in. “The one from Corfu. Dash and some woman looking very cozy on set. She’s gorgeous, by the way. But that’s no surprise for Dash. Still, good work.”
Everyone at the table turned to look at me. I could feel their eyes boring into me.
“That’s Krista,” Elizabeth said. “The consultant.”
“Ohhh,” Sebastian drew out the word. “The one Adrian hired to keep Dash in line. Interesting development.”
“It’s not a development,” I said.
“The picture says otherwise,” Bernadette chimed in over the phone. “You’re looking at her like she hung the moon.”
“It’s one picture taken out of context.”
Mom leaned forward. “Are you two dating? Are you finally going to get serious about someone?”
“No and no,” I said, holding up my hands.
“But you were dating,” Mandy said. It wasn’t a question. “I can tell. You have that look.”
“What look?”
“Damn, he does,” Briggs said.
I set down my fork. “There’s nothing going on between me and Krista. We work together. That’s it.”
Adrian was watching me with that analytical expression he got when he was trying to figure something out. I knew he could see right through my bullshit, but thankfully he didn’t call me on it.
“Well, she’s very pretty,” Mom said diplomatically.
I shrugged. “It’s a professional relationship, nothing more.”
After dinner wrapped up, everyone started heading back to their respective villas. Mom kissed my cheek and told me again how proud she was. Adrian clapped me on the shoulder. Briggs gave me a fist bump. Elizabeth hugged me and whispered that she couldn’t wait to see the show.
“Dash.”
I turned to find Callum standing there, hands in his pockets.
“Yeah?”
“Can we talk for a minute?”
I nodded and gestured toward the edge of the terrace where we’d have some privacy. “I wanted to clear the air,” I said before he could speak. “What’s your picture of tomorrow look like?”
He raised an eyebrow. “My picture?”
“Yeah. Because my picture is you staying in your front-row seat the whole time and not overstepping. This is my show, Callum. I’ve worked my ass off for this, and I don’t need anyone swooping in thinking they’re going to take over or critique or whatever it is you’re planning.”
He looked at me for several seconds and then laughed.
“What’s funny?” I asked, irritation flaring.
“You think I’m here to step on your toes?” He shook his head, still chuckling. “Man, that’s not it at all.”
“Then what are you doing here?”
“Just like I said, research purposes only,” he said, holding up his hands.
“I promise. Cleo and I want to host our own exclusive launch. We’re talking high-end, invitation-only runway shows.
But my old man thinks runway is dead. He’s convinced it’s all about digital now, influencer campaigns, that kind of thing.
I think he’s just mad none of his children want to work in the movie industry with him. ”
I nodded. “Dad insisted we join the family business, so I can only imagine Uncle Max isn’t all that different.”
“Yeah, well, I’m here to get concrete proof that he’s wrong,” Callum continued. “When done right, runway shows can make a bridal line a huge success. And from what I’ve seen already, you’re doing it right. I want to watch how you’ve put this together. Learn from you. Take notes.”
I stared at him. “You want to learn from me?”
“Yeah, man. Why do you sound so surprised? I’m still pretty new to the fashion world. I’ve helped Cleo with some designs, but mostly I work on the financial side of things.”
Nobody had ever looked at me for guidance. As the youngest, I was used to being treated like I was inexperienced, green. This was unfamiliar territory for me.
I nodded and rubbed the back of my neck. “I guess I thought you were here to see if I’d screw it up.”
“Dash, no. I’m just here to observe. I’m excited to watch this thing.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
We parted ways. I headed back to the villa. It was quiet, but I smelled something fried. At least she’d eaten. I hated the tension. I wanted to go upstairs and talk to her. Go back to the way things were.
It was never going to happen, and the sooner I wrapped my head around that, the sooner I could start healing.