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“Fuck no. Why would I do that? I want to see her,” he says.
Immediately, I think about the roses she was sent last night. If they didn’t come from Josh, then who?
I don’t fucking like how uneasy it makes me feel, knowing it was someone other than him. If he’d sent them, he’d have bragged. His ego is too large.
“Please go to your room and get some sleep. You’re drunk and emotional.”
“No,” he says, looking over his shoulder, acting paranoid.
I step out of my room and glance down the hallway. Nothing is there.
“I’m going to find her, and you won’t stop me.”
Josh pushes me, and I stumble back, then catch my footing, then grab his shirt with my fist.
“You ever fucking touch me like that again, and I won’t be so kind.” I shove him away and slam my door shut.
It’s too damn early for a brawl, and while I’d like to knock him the fuck out, it’s best if I don’t. I know his day is going to get a lot worse without me breaking his nose.
I know I won’t be able to see Billie until Bellamore’s runway show. Directly afterward is Josh’s. I wonder who was responsible for that scheduling.
I place a call and order breakfast to be sent to Billie’s room for her and Brody. I text Brody to let him know, considering sheadamantly refused anything be delivered to her after the flowers were sent.
Brody sends me a thumbs-up emoji.
Right after, I text Weston and give him an update on everything.
Weston
Thanks. We’ll land in an hour and a half. I’ll find you then.
The backstage area is chaotic.Models rush around half naked, makeup artists give final touches, designers frantically check seams, and voices compete over one another. Through the hecticness, my gaze narrows on Billie. I stay in the shadows, not wanting to distract her or bring attention to myself. This is her time to shine, and I love to watch her sparkle.
Regardless of the immense amount of pressure she’s under, Billie calmly gives final approvals and subtle instructions as the models line up. As if she were a drill sergeant, she goes down the line, making sure every single person meets her high standards. She’s glowing, determined, and I fall harder, watching her be in charge.
Right now, her hair and makeup are done, and she’s wearing a smock, not the dress she’ll be walking in today. It will be a surprise for everyone, a secret I can’t wait for her to share.
Weston spots and approaches me.
“Is everything in place?” I ask quietly.
“Yes. Lux dropped the story thirty minutes ago. Lustre’s imploding,” he says.
I unlock my phone, refreshing his website. The countdown has a little over an hour left, and the anticipation of what will happenwhen it says 0:00 has me in a choke hold. I quickly scan the headlines of Lustre Fashion’s downfall that are already trending, all quoting LadyLux’s article, which is full of receipts from awhistleblower.
“Damn,” I whisper. “TheTimesalready picked up the story.”
“The world has.” Weston smirks. “He should’ve never messed with my sister.”
“He should’ve been a better person. People like him don’t deserve power.”
Weston turns and glances at Billie as Easton and Brody stand next to Harper. “She’s handling this like a pro,” Weston says.
I nod, pride swelling in my chest. “She always does. It’s a Calloway trait.”
He beams at her.
“Everyone got it?” Billie asks after giving her final instructions and outstretching her hand.