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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CAMERON

Cameron found himself offstage, waiting there to support Rylan when he came out to introduce himself and start the fashion show.

After their summer break, Rylan labored on making his designs come to life. Cameron felt guilty because he published Rylan’s website when he finished half his creations for the show. The site was live for two days when he received e-mails inquiring where they could buy Rylan’s original designs.

When he told Rylan about the e-mails, he spotted contained fear mixed with excitement sparkling in Rylan’s eyes. That was when they decided to hire an assistant for Rylan. Meeting Steffie was a godsend and she fit in with ease, knowing when Rylan needed to concentrate, directing him to the projects that needed completion before the others, and ordering him to take a break whenever he felt overwhelmed or needed one.

Most of the time, Rylan wouldn’t leave until Steffie texted Cameron, and he dragged his husband out to dinner or a movie to get him to relax.

But before they allowed Steffie to accept the job, they told her about their problems with Tristan. Instead of quitting on the spot, she disregarded any danger Tristan might pose to her and became protective of Rylan, much like Issa. And when the two women met, no one stood a chance. Steffie refused to quit and Issa wanted a way to destroy Tristan without it coming back to any of them.

So over the past month, Cameron stuck close to Rylan and instead of either of them feeling stifled by how much time they were spending together, they grew closer. Cameron couldn’t remember a time without Rylan in his life, filling his home with color and life.

And the week before the fashion show, the head of the design and merchandising department from the college called Rylan. She told him she learned about his side business and his fledgling design company and at first Rylan thought she would kick him out of the program with under a year to go to graduate.

Rylan waved his hand at Cameron and when he noticed the frantic look on his husband’s face, Cameron encouraged him to put the call on speaker.

“As I was saying, Mr. Ellis—”

“Sorry, professor, it’s Ellis-Hayes now.”

“Congratulations, Rylan, that’s wonderful! And I’m calling to give you more good news. I’ve talked it over with your other professors and we agreed to allow you to graduate early. We agreed that your real-life experience translates into credits for your remaining classes and you can graduate with the class in December if you would like, or we could mail you your degree.”

“Um… wow.”

“Professor? This is Cameron, Rylan’s husband. He’s speechless but he would like his degree mailed instead of attending the ceremony in December.”

After another few minutes where the Rylan thanked the professor and promised to keep in touch, he threw himself into Cameron’s arms and kissed him breathless. The smile on Rylan’s face made Cameron’s chest swell with pride.

They celebrated with their friends and family. Mom was especially proud, drawing Rylan into a hug that had both of them wiping away tears of happiness.

And the Monday after they learned about Rylan’s graduation, Cameron spoke to the dean of the computer science department and he agreed Cameron could take the rest of his six credits needed to graduate online.

The growing crowd and increased volume at the Seawell Ballroom where the fashion show was being held, drew Cameron back to the present.

Because his mom along with Sophia and her friends spreading the word about Rylan’s new company, the online popularity of Rylan’s designs were growing, and they had to move the show from a downtown hotel to the bigger venue.

Rylan’s nerves showed during their drive down to Denver, but once they arrived and he counted all the outfits and made sure he accounted for the models, he relaxed. As he dressed the models before he added a touch of makeup to each of them, Cameron realized he was in his element.

As someone shouted from the doorway that the show would start in fifteen minutes, Cameron drew Rylan into his arms. The kiss, a simple brushing of their lips together, letting his husband know he was proud of him, soon grew out of control and they both moaned as they deepened the kiss. It wasn’t until he heard giggles and some throats being cleared that he pulled back.

“I love you. I’ll be out by the stage if you need me.”

Rylan nodded. “I love you, too. I need to change, but I’ll see you in a few.”

With a stolen kiss, Cameron nodded and left Rylan and Steffie to do their thing.

As the lights dimmed, Steffie stepped up next to him as he wrung his hands together, a nervous gesture.

“Relax, you know he’ll blow them away with everything he’s designed,” Steffie said.

“Where is he?”

She smiled. “He made a special outfit he wanted to wear for you. He’s on the other side of the stage waiting to surprise you.”

Before he could ask, the microphone clicked on and Sophia walked onto the stage. The bone white business suit, one of Rylan’s most popular designs online, fit her perfectly and she looked stunning.