Page 90 of I Dreamt That You Loved Me

When Gigi was ready, I helped Noelle into a blood-red mini-crini trimmed in lace and ribbons.

There was still no sign of Gabriel. Most likely, he’d gotten so engrossed with his work that he’d left the studio at the last minute and got stuck in traffic.

He should have left earlier. I couldn’t believe he’d left me hanging like this. He was supposed to close the show, but he wasn’t even here.

I felt like that kid back in junior high waiting in the wings for my dad to show up for the talent show.

But I didn’t have time to dwell, so I brushed off my disappointment and focused on the show.

Here goes nothing. I crossed my fingers as the models strutted down the runway, opening the show to a Siouxsie and the Banshees song.

“Xavi. If Gabriel doesn’t show up in the next two minutes, can you fill in for him?"

Xavi ran his hand down his body. “Do I look like I’m six feet tall with Gabriel’s body type? I’d be swimming in that jacket.”

I sighed. Xavi was slim and around my height, five foot seven. I’d tailored the leather jacket and the shirt to fit Gabriel’s exact specifications.

“It’s okay, my love,” Simone assured me. “Let’s just keep this moving. If Gabriel doesn’t turn up, you’ll just throw that jacket over your shoulders and strut down that runway like you own it.”

“That’s exactly what you should do. Own it, girl,” Xavi chimed in. “But if youreallyneed me, I’ll do it.”

While I appreciated the belated offer, I knew he didn’t want to wear a jacket tailored to fit Gabriel and I couldn’t really blame him for that. The proportions would be all wrong.

We only had fifteen minutes to impress, and I’d worked too hard to drop the ball now so I kept moving. Quick outfit changes and off they went again.

But as time ticked by with no sign of Gabriel, I had a pit in my stomach. It wasn’t like him to just not show up. Gabriel would never do that to me.

Something was wrong. I could feel it in my gut.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

A Hole songwas playing when I sent the models out to close the show for the big finale. Leather and lingerie and towering lace-up boots. Noelle wore a veiled headpiece and Gigi had beaded horns on her head. Playful, irreverent, and a little bit subversive.

“Cleo, there you are. I wasn’t sure where to go…”

I spun to face Devin. “Where’s Gabriel?” I craned my neck, looking over his shoulder, wishing and hoping that Gabriel would magically appear but the look on Devin’s face told me he wouldn’t.

“He’s…we need to go to the hospital,” Devin said, looking around at all the people backstage. “Sorry about this but we need to go now.”

I was already grabbing my coat and bag before he’d even finished speaking. “Simone?—”

“Go.” She shooed me away. “I’ll take care of everything.”

I rushed out the door with Devin, belatedly calling out a thank you over my shoulder.

When we got outside, I didn’t see any taxis so I sprinted up the block to the cross-street and flagged one down.

I climbed into the back seat and slid over to make room for Devin. When he told the driver to take us to NYU Langone, I closed my eyes and took some deep breaths.

Keep it together, Cleo.

This was no time to fall apart. I needed information.

“What happened?” I asked Devin as the taxi cut through Central Park.

“Gabriel was in the recording booth. He wasn’t happy with his vocals on the last track and he wanted to do it again. But his voice wasn’t open, you know. It sounded strained. So he said he just needed some air. I could tell something wasn’t right. He was sweating and he looked really pale and shaky so me and Eddie went outside for a cigarette break just to check on him. As soon as we walked out the door, we saw him collapse. Next thing I know, he’s on the ground having a massive seizure.”

A massive seizure?I white-knuckled the door handle as images of Gabriel having a seizure on a New York City sidewalk raced through my head.