CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
TIFFANY
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“Everything is stunning,” I squeal, clapping my hands together as Sadie and I peek out at the runway and the gathering crowd.
Models, celebrities, politicians, and industry people are showing up, along with all the big media influencers.
We have at least three hundred notable names sitting in the VIP seating ready to see the launch of the Maison Diamond Luxe Lips & Lash launch.
The press is here with a ton of cameras, plus there’s a ton of security.
Noah, Josh, and Ryder asked to meet with me on Monday and told me all the reasons why this shouldn’t go ahead.
I told them it must.
I wasn’t trying to be irresponsible, but if we let these criminals rule our lives, they win.
Yes, Maison was rattled after they heard about my second burglary, but this wasn’t being held at my home, and we were all committed. They had their own security, just like for the NetAwards.
The diamond necklace was currently sitting heavily on my neck, glowing even in the daytime.
This set was their most valuable.
The diamonds are worth twenty million dollars. We’d talked about it being here—as of course you would do during a promotion—and all the marketing collateral showcased affordable versions that customers could purchase.
The stage is covered in our joint branding, my lip and lash products surrounded by a scattering of diamonds. It looks just how I imagined...stunning.
Diamond lashes.
Diamond lips.
We are minutes from the show starting now.
“The Blush team has done such an amazing job. Where has Zane gone?” Sadie asks, glancing around. “That’s weird. He’s disappeared.”
I glance over my shoulder.
“He won’t be far away.” I take one last look down at my Gucci sequined dress. It was custom made for me in a shimmering bronze that sets off the sparkle of the diamonds.
I spot Mom and Dad in the crowd and smile.
I’ve been understandably nervous about today, despite being stubborn that it goes ahead.
Stupid, I know, but I really hoped Jayden would reach out and be here.
He hasn’t.
When anger wears off, it leaves the pain behind, and I am realizing just how much I like him. More than like him. You know when you meet someone and just click, as if your soul knows them already?
I keep thinking about that day in the pool. How he sat in the kitchen while I ate breakfast each day. The way he teased me for doing Pilates.
Then he was gone.
Noah and I discussed the security for today earlier in the week, and it calmed my nerves.
“We’ll have the place surrounded, visibly, and as you know, Maison has their security. No one is going to get close.”
“Thanks, Noah. We should make a big fuss of handing it back to the company and show it driving away so no one bothers breaking into my house again.”
“Would Maison go along with that?”
“We can ask.”
Noah smiled. “Smart idea.”
They did. They agreed to do that backstage and show it happening live on social media. Sadie would livestream it. Everyone has been briefed.
The music begins, and across from us, the models begin lining up, lashes done beautifully, in outfits from local American designers who will be shared in the press, and fake diamonds.
“I’m here,” Nadia appears behind me.
I turn, surprised.
“Oh, hi.” I smile, wondering what she’s doing backstage.
I spot Alexei but don’t bother smiling. He won’t smile back and my nerves are starting to rattle.
“Quick, head to your seats. We are about to start.” Sadie says to them, bubbly as always, but they don’t leave, and I don’t have time to care.
The beat kicks up and the models launch out onto the stage, one by one.
Wow!
This is so exciting.
I nudge Sadie so we are out of the way for the models to pass, and we watch the runway on the monitor.
“This is so top class.” Nadia says from behind me.
I shoot her a smile, annoyed she didn’t do as I said. I’m due to go out once the models have finished and don’t have time to entertain. I never approved any backstage passes, either.
I shoot Noah and Todd from Maison a look, but Noah is focused on someone down below—doing his job—and doesn’t notice my annoyance. I consider asking Sadie to escort them out, but in seven more minutes it will be over.
It’s reasonable that they were allowed in, given that they are friends. Mom and Dad came backstage just twenty minutes ago.
I bite the inside of my cheek, wondering if the thief is watching, if MessyBob is the culprit. How Jayden suspected everyone, including Nadia and Alexei...and the mailman.
The police visited MessyBob’s home, I’m told, after finding his real identity. They searched his home but did not find anything and were unable to explicitly link him to the letter and panties.
Which doesn’t mean he’s innocent.
But it also doesn’t mean he isn’t watching me right now.
Ugh.
I just want this all to be over.
London was appealing more and more every day.
I did find it interesting learning that diamond thefts were on the increase in Los Angeles. The LAPD detective said it was starting to look like a crime ring, and these things could be tricky to resolve.
They reiterated that having my brand associated with diamonds put me at risk.
This was my last public event for a while where I’d be wearing anything valuable. Once the launch was done, it all went digital. The award season was over, the holidays approaching.
My mind drifts to Jayden as it does every day. I wonder what he is doing for the holidays?
Would he go home to Fort Worth with Liam and Jessie? Does he have a girl back home? Someone he’s met, and that’s why he hasn’t replied.
Would I answer if he called?
Has he thought about me at all?
Does he feel anything?
Guess I should have learned my lesson when I was younger. These GI’s just want to get into my pants. I fell for it again. But Jayden used my body in a way no man has.
The things he did.
The things he said.
The way he looked into my soul while pounding was orgasmic and deeply erotic and intimate. The moment we woke, the barricade around him was back up.
But it was the night at the bar and the way he looked so cold that truly hurt. You shouldn’t be here, princess.
I drank so much tequila after he left I nearly made myself sick. In the morning, I burst into tears.
Pretty sure Jessie was up to speed after that and felt sorry for me when she invited me to her upcoming birthday party.
“Dwon’t fink I’ll be welcome,” I said, then hiccupped.
“Rubbish, you’re one of us now. Right, Liam?” Jessie asked.
“Leave me out of this,” he muttered.
That said it all.
He was Jayden’s best friend and knew everything. More than me, likely. Hell, I think everyone knows more than me.
I’d been rejected.
There wasn’t much more to say.
But they hadn’t seen the way he watched me walking down the stairs in my black Prada dress as if I were his prom date. Like he was a boy falling in love.
Gah.
I need to pull my head out of the clouds and focus back on my financial goals.
Get this product line launched successfully, pay Dad off, then perhaps date a few of those guys Mom has been trying to set me up with.
Or move to London.
“Eeek, Hashtag Luxe Diamonds is going viral.” Sadie does a little dance on the spot, snapping me back to the moment. “Already.”
The Blush Empire team is spotted around the sides of the runway, live streaming to all my social media accounts and monitoring comments.
“Yay, us!” I rub my hands together, getting nervous as my moment to step out on the runway approaches.
Nadia asks Sadie a question, and I tune them out, wiggling my toes in my very tight but high heels.
I glance behind me, and spot Alexei standing with his arms crossed. He gives me a dark look, which sends a creepy shiver through me.
Why are they here?
“Two minutes, Tiffany.” The Blush coordinator says, holding her tablet and tapping her earpiece.
“Argh, where’s my water?” I flap my hands around, my mouth going dry with nerves.
“Here,” Sadie swaps the bottle for my lipstick a second later. “Gloss.”
Nadia lays a hand on my arm, and I startle. “Darling, give me a closeup look at the Maison diamonds. Wow, Alexei look.”
“Ma’am, please step back,” Todd says, and I almost kiss him.
When I give Nadia and Alexei an apologetic look, I almost fall over. Alexei is smirking.
It’s subtle, but I don’t miss it.
“Everyone, please move away. I need you to exit the back, please. Go take your seats.”
I don’t know what happens next, as the Blush coordinator takes my arm and steers me right at the doorway to the runway.
It’s time.
Suddenly, I’m vividly aware that I’m wearing twenty million dollars of Maison diamonds and about to step out into a public space. Was Jayden right? Is this dangerous?
I glance over my shoulder at Noah, who is blocking everyone with his wall of a body.
He gives me a nod. “Go get ‘em tiger.”
I blow out a breath.
I’m fine.
I’m fiiineee.
I just wish it was a different man protecting and reassuring me, as I take one step after the other onto the runway and take in the lights, cameras and huge crowd surrounding the event.
This is Hollywood, baby.
Jayden, I really wish you were here.
I need you.