by Evie Monroe
“The wardrobe was moved? I don’t know what’s going on.” But I did. The wardrobe wasn’t just moved; it was missing.
Weed had broken out into a sweat, and it was beading up on his forehead. “Who told you to load it up? I sure as fuck didn’t! You take orders from me!”
“It was a guy, he was short and wore a bow tie. It was like purple or blue or something. I don’t know. He said that you wanted it loaded so the floor could be cleaned. We know you run a tight ship.”
Weed let go of the man and ran out; I rushed out ahead of Johnny who was right on my heels.
“They aren’t there.” Weed came from the truck that we’d brought. “Someone stole the entire line.” I’d never seen Weed so down.
I looked to Johnny whose face had gone blank with no sign of emotion.
Nathan walked up about that time not knowing we were in the middle of a tragedy. “Hey, why the long faces? Did the weed man fail to deliver?” Weed gave him a withering glance and then turned around to put some distance between them.
“The clothes are missing. Someone snuck in and took the entire collection from under our noses.”
“We’re done. She won. Let’s just go home.” Johnny threw his hands up, and I narrowed my eyes wondering who “she” was.
“No, way! We’ve got to do something. We’ve paid for this event, for advertisers, we’re not giving that back. Surely you have something. I know you didn’t like the old collection, but let’s use it. It’s available.”
I let out a long breath. “No, we don’t. To save time I suggested we use them and just redo the lines. We have nothing.”
Nate rubbed his temples and seemed to be meditating a moment. “I’ve got it!” He turned to me and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Didn’t you say that you brought some of your designs?”
“Yes, I was hoping that Johnny would get to see them, and maybe give me some pointers, but why? We can’t use those.” I was suddenly panicked over them wanting my babies. Those were my very own designs, and I wasn’t going to just pass them off to Johnny as if they were his own.
“We can’t do that. People will want to see something from me, not some unknown who has never had anything on a runway before.”
“Pardon me? You didn’t seem opposed to my ideas last night, and now, suddenly, my idea of style is not credible enough?” I was insulted and rightly so.
“Wait a minute, you two. Let’s not fight. This could be a great stunt for you, Johnny. You can buy her out, or better yet, you could introduce her as our newest, hottest addition to the Mad Mode label.”
Mad Mode? He wanted me to be a part of the company? I could tell Johnny hated the idea, but this could be the break I needed.
Weed stepped back up, and I hadn’t been aware that he was listening. “It’s not a terrible idea.” He glared at Nathan.
“I have a good one now and then. What do you think, Liss? Johnny?”
“As long as I have full credit, and am compensated for my work and the collection, I’m in. I’d like to help.”
Johnny raked a hand through his hair. “What choice do I have? Nate, you and Liss go to my house and get everything you need. I’ll stay here with Weed, and we’ll do damage control.”
“Shit, here comes Wendell. That fucker’s starting awfully early today.”
“Hey, folks. How’s it going in the land of perpetual staleness?”
Johnny slapped on his biggest fake smile and began talking with so much grandeur in his voice; I thought he'd choke on it.
Nate took my arms, and we hurried out.
It didn’t take us too long to go across town and get my collection from Johnny’s house and drive it back. And by the time we returned things had settled down quite a bit, and the models had arrived. We also only had a couple of hours until show time to get everyone into them. Luckily my pieces were all a size too big for the waifish models, and we tailored them down to fit, and by the end of it all, I was reeling with excitement over it all. My designs were about to be featured in my very own fashion show.
The look on Johnny’s face made it hard to keep that excitement for too long. His day was ruined, and that was nothing to celebrate. It’d all been decided so fast. I wondered if he was even truly on board or just letting it all happen.
He came across the room and put his hand on the small of my back. “They look great. I hadn’t realized how many designs you’ve done.” The garment bag I’d brought had ten dresses and five other outfits in it.
“Yeah, I’ve had a busy few years.” I let out a short laugh. “This has always been a dream of mine. I can’t tell you how much it means to me, but at the same time, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. I know who was behind it. They’ll get theirs.” He lifted his chin as Nathan crossed the room toward us.
“Hey, I’ve got it all lined out with the announcer. They’ll call you both out at the end, and you can announce her.” Johnny nodded at the instruction and Nate looked up to me. I shrugged not knowing what to think.
Weed peeked around the corner and waved me over. “It’s time. Let’s get them lined up. They look gorgeous, by the way. You’re a lifesaver.” It felt good to help, but horrible that I’d had to. I was so conflicted; caught somewhere between happy and sad.
I wanted to smile and say something witty, but I was about to vomit I was so nervous. I had a feeling I was green or at least pale.
Minutes later, the first of my fashions were being announced, and the crowd was going wild. As Gretta strutted down the runway, I realized that all of my dreams were coming true and I let out a sigh of relief and took a second to let it sink in.
Before I knew it, the final model was swaying her hips down the long walk, and then she stopped and showed her sass, giving it a spin before heading back. I took a deep breath knowing it was almost time to take my bow.
“And now for the genius behind this collection. Ladies and gentleman, the man of many surprises, Johnny Hatter!” Johnny walked out from the other side of the stage and pointed to the crowd, his overenthusiastic energy was enough to leave anyone in the shadows, and as the announcer made his closing announcements and Nate shook his head to Johnny from the sidelines beside the announcer’s booth, I knew my moment was not going to come.
Mad Mode stole my designs to save Johnny’s reputation. He threw me a reluctant glance over his shoulder and lifted his arms as if there was nothing he could do.
Chapter 11
Johnny
As soon as the emcee finished his announcements and the crowd was done praising me for my stolen efforts, I hurried to the back and tried to find Liss. I felt about three inches tall as I pushed through the back door and ran face first into Weed. His manicured hand pushed into my chest gripping my shirt. I looked around and saw that there wasn’t anyone else around which is what he’d planned. He’d trapped me like a rat.
“How the fuck could you do that to Liss? You’re not that guy, Johnny. I don’t know what you let Nate talk you into, but you better fix it now!” He pushed me back as he let me go. “I won’t be a part of this. I’ll quit!”
“I didn’t know what he was up to! I’m looking for Liss now, where is she?”
“She’s probably crying in a corner somewhere!” The door opened, and Weed stepped back, not wanting the press to see the two of us in a fight. But it was just Nate. Before Weed could punch his pretty face, I decided it was my turn to get rough.
“What the hell was that all about? That wasn’t our agreement, and now I’m a thief thanks to you! I’d never steal another artist’s designs. How dare you bring me into this!”
“Look, before you go off on me, let me explain. The numbers were bad, and your poor designs aren’t doing Mad Mode any favors and even though I thought we’d do okay bringing Liss in as a new, hot item, that still leaves us with you! The crowd was going crazy out there because they thought those designs were yours, not some newbie unknown. Now whether you like it or not, I have to think of our best interest. It’s my job! I
don’t get to be the creative one or the queer superhero, but this company means as much to me as it does the two of you. We’re going to lose it. We’re built on your name Johnny. We’ll throw some money at her, and she’ll be fine. Hell, she’s already been afforded the experience of a lifetime, and now she at least has validation that she’s good enough to do this. We’ll let her do it. We’ll take her under our wings.”
“I’m two seconds from punching you in the face. If you don’t make this right, Nate, I will. And you will not have a job in the end if I have to. Let me talk to the press and make this right. We were supposed to announce this on stage, but I’ll spill our special secret now!”
“No, I can’t let you do that. Not when you’re upset. You’ll bury yourself, for sure.” He shook his head and put his hand out on my chest.
“Get out of my way! I have to find her.” I pushed past Nate and left him with Weed who I hoped would at least get one good sucker punch in before I could get back to him.
I went back inside and through the dressing area to the storage in back. The big garage door was open, and Liss was heading out with her bag over her shoulder. By the time I went out to catch her, she had got in a car and drove away.
Dammit.
I ran to my car and got in telling my driver to follow her car. By the time we got onto the road behind her, I could tell that she was headed back to my house to get her things. I eased back in the seat wondering what I was going to do.
She could sue me, and I’d deserve it. I deserved way worse. But aside from it all, what bothered me most, is that any chance I might’ve had with her was gone. The best I could do was beg for her forgiveness and give her a check for her designs and maybe hold a press conference. Maybe Victoria was right; I should just sell the business and fade into obscurity. It was inevitable anyway. Time was the enemy in my business.
I followed the car to my gate and had my driver open it so Liss could have curbside service.
I jumped out as she got out of the car and I stepped in and tossed a hundred-dollar bill into her Uber before she could dig into her purse.
I turned around, and she was already headed inside thanking Jack for getting the door.
“Stop, Liss. I want to make this right!”
Jack scurried away into the kitchen as she stopped and folded her arms across her chest and glared at me.
“I didn’t know what to do. Nate wouldn’t pass me the microphone, and everyone was glaring at me, the cameras.”
“I’m sure it was such a new experience that you froze up. Oh, wait. You’ve done it dozens of times. You could’ve spoken up; you had the floor; microphone or not. The crowd was focused on you.”
“It’s not that easy. I was torn on what to do, okay. I knew it was wrong, but at that point, I didn’t want to look like a colossal jackass.”
“Better to be an asshole to one person than a jackass to hundreds, I get it.” She took to the stairs, and I stayed right behind her as she hit the landing and turned to go to the room.
“Where are you going?” I had a feeling she’d be on the first plane out of town as soon as possible.
She went into her room and headed right for her suitcase. “Home. Just as soon as you pay me for my designs.”
“The job we promised is still yours. We can work this out, Liss. Please. I’m begging you.” I hadn’t begged anyone, and I let loose a long breath and grabbed her arm. “Liss.” The storm clouds in her eyes were fierce, and even though I knew she wanted to kill me at that moment, I realized that I could easily fall for her.
“This isn’t about the clothes or the promised job; this is about you. You’re not the person I thought you were. You’re just a rich asshole who is afraid of becoming nothing. You stood there and stole my dream right out from under me.” Tears filled her eyes.
“I’m sorry.” I stepped closer and fought the urge to pull her into my arms to comfort her. “I feel horrible. I know what it’s like to have someone try to take from you. How much you cherished your art. Dammit, I will do what I have to do to make it right, even if it’s the end of everything for me. Just don’t leave, okay?” I let out a long breath. “Tell me you won’t leave.” I couldn’t stand it any longer. I threw my arms around her, and though she pushed at me, I brought my mouth down softly on her. She pushed me away and shook her head.
“You’ve taken enough from me.” Her chest was heaving as tears poured down her face. “Besides, that’s too little too late. If you’d done that days ago, we might be in a whole different situation right now.”
I reached to touch her cheek, and she slapped my hand away. “Get out. I don’t want to see you. I just want to go home.”
She seemed so broken, and it cut me deep. I knew I’d have to go back to the event and try to make it right. There had to be a few people left there to talk to.
I left her there and went across town, only to find my crew was alone and cleaning up. All of the fashion reporters had left. They’d heard I was gone and bailed knowing there was no one else to talk to.
I went down to the tea house and sipped my favorite as I considered what I’d have to do. I’d make a formal press appearance and explain things. After, I’d go ahead and sell my business and give Victoria what she wanted. Then, I’d buy an island somewhere or maybe move away to Texas to return to my roots. I still had my parent’s house there. Maybe that would be the change I needed. I’d been so uninspired. The only time I’d felt like things would be fine was the past few days with Liss. She had reawakened me and for a few minutes there with her; I’d felt like we’d both fed each other’s minds. She was the awakening I needed in my life.
I finished my tea and decided to give her a little more time at the house. It had been two hours, but I wasn’t ready to go back and do battle, and I knew it would take a while for her to get over what had happened.
I went into my office and found Weed standing at my drawing table with Liss. They glanced over their shoulder and pretended I wasn’t there.
Before I could ask what was going on, Nate came into the room and breezed past me to join them. “Sorry about that. As I was saying, I had to make that call, Liss. If I had let you take credit for the designs, not only could we have been in big trouble from the venue and the sponsors. They paid for Johnny’s name, for his line to be featured. Not only that but with his issues lately, he would’ve been pulled through the ringer. I know it’s not fair what I did, but I take full responsibility. Johnny knew nothing of what was going to happen, and it wasn’t pre-planned. While you were backstage, I ran into one of our investors, and he was very adamant about seeing something new from Johnny, or he was going to pull out.”
I leaned against the wall beside them. “You should have told us. You could’ve said something.”
“It was three minutes before you walked out. I couldn’t get to you in time. I had to think on my toes, and I did. I hoped that Liss would be understanding. We’ve helped her, so I thought she’d help us.”
“I helped you. I saved your ass at the photo shoot and then I worked my fingers to the bone trying to get your collection ready in time, which no one seems that concerned about, by the way. Aren’t you a little concerned about the clothes?”
“I think I know who did it.” I knew the others knew too. We didn’t have to say her name. I scratched my head. “The press must all be suspicious that I bailed before I could do any interviews.”
“No, they’re taking it as part of your persona. That witty character of yours is shunning the doubters. You’ll make out okay.”
Liss shook her head and laughed. “Good to know your reputation as a madman is still intact. Glad I could help.” She folded her arms and glared down at the sketch before her. It was a sketch of what looked like her dying process. The scarves. She was showing Weed how to make them.
“So, there’s that. Good luck with it and remember to keep your primaries away from your complementary colors. You’ll end up with mud.”
“You don’t have to give us th
is, you know. Stay and work with me. I’ve had too much fun, biscuit.” Weed was still out of sorts, and I knew this kind of drama had always gotten to him. He gave me a pleading look.
“I know. I just want to help. It’s all I ever really wanted.”
I felt I had to say something. “I owe you, Liss. Stick around and let me make this right for you. I promise I will.”
She shifted in her chair and then cut her eyes over toward me. “Fine. But I still want to be paid for my designs, and I want to work from home. When I’m done with this trip, I’ll go home with that job you promised. I can feed you designs from there. Seems I already have. Besides, I have my shop and my own customers to think about.”
“That’s fair. But you’ll have to come in for shows. I need you.” I needed her in more ways than I felt comfortable announcing in front of my friends.
“Fine.”
“Well, I’m out of here.” Weed headed for the door and grabbed Nate’s collar on the way. He was obviously giving me and Liss a little time alone.
He closed the door behind them, and Liss turned around and looked up at me from the office chair.
“I’m glad you’re staying. For what it’s worth, everything he said is true, you know. But I still would’ve gone along with our original plan. I’d even already made plans to call the press and tell them what happened. I’ll still do it if you want me to. I like you, Liss. I thought we were doing great. We worked together like a machine.” I felt like we were two cogs on the same clock.
“I know what he was saying. Sometimes things aren’t what they seem, and I know you didn’t mean to steal my designs. But I’d wanted that moment forever. I’ve dreamed about it. It was so close I could taste it. I guess I just felt silly letting myself want something so bad that’s never going to happen.” Her shoulders slumped, and she sank down in the chair.
I knelt before her, taking her hands in mine. “You’ll take that walk, Liss. I promise you. You’ve saved my ass three times now, and it’s not going unnoticed. I think you’re amazing and I don’t know what I’d have done the past two weeks if you hadn’t shown up. I’ve been at my wit’s end for a while now, and just getting by. But you, you’re making me remember what it was like when I started out.”