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Camden.
We've seen each other exactly three times since our breakup. Both times were brief, awkward encounters that left me feeling hollow.
But something about the way he carries himself tonight seems different.
Roman follows my gaze and stiffens slightly beside me. "I can ask him to leave."
"No," I say quickly. "It's fine. Really."
Camden reaches our table, looking surprisingly at ease in a well-fitted navy suit.
"Cassie," he says, and there's none of the bitterness I half-expected. "Congratulations. The collection is incredible."
"Thank you." I search his face for signs of resentment but find none. "I'm surprised to see you here."
He shifts slightly.
“My new lawfirm Langston Reed & Carrington represents Levesque Textiles—they're debuting a new fabric line tonight, and your brand happens to be the one showcasing it."
He offers a smile that’s self-deprecating, but not without bite.
"Guess breaking up with a fashion designer has its perks. Turns out I get a front-row seat to your next big moment.”
"That's... that's great, Cam."
An awkward pause follows before Roman extends his hand. "Roman Kade"
Camden shakes it without hesitation. "Camden Sullivan. Though I guess you know that."
"I've read some of your thought pieces," Roman says, surprising both Camden and me. "Your coverage of the sustainable fashion movement was insightful."
Camden's eyebrows shoot up."Thanks. That means a lot, actually." He turns back to me. "I won't keep you. Just wanted to say your work deserves all this success. You always had it in you, even when I was too self-absorbed to see it properly."
Something tight in my chest unravels. "That means a lot, Cam. Really."
He nods, a silent acknowledgment of closure, then slips back into the crowd.
Roman's arm wraps around my shoulders. "You okay?"
I lean into him, oddly moved. "Yeah. Better than okay. I think that chapter of my life just got a proper ending."
Four hours later,my feet are killing me, my back aches, and I've never been happier. The event has been deemed a resounding success, with preliminary orders exceeding projections by nearly forty percent.
Roman and I are in the back of his car, headed to our new home—a spacious brownstone that we're still in the process of renovating.
"You were magnificent," Roman says, his fingers laced through mine. "Everyone could see it."
"Wewere magnificent," I correct him. "Having you there, supporting me but never overshadowing me... that meant everything."
He raises our joined hands to his lips. "Get used to it. It's you and me, equal partners, remember?"
"Equal partners with very unequal bank accounts," I joke, though it's something I still struggle with sometimes—the vast disparity in our financial situations.
"Money is just a tool, Cassie. Your creativity, your vision—that's the real wealth."
I rest my head on his shoulder, watching the city lights blur past the window. "Olivia texted during the event. She's got 'epic plans' for the baby shower next month. Should we be worried?"
He laughs. "Probably. But I've learned to trust her instincts. She knows how to bring people together in ways that actually work."