UNBROKEN (Friends, Lovers, or Nothing Book 5)

by Jackie Chanel

  “Watch where you’re going,” I snapped when Ramey Hall crashed into me.

  Her face immediately screwed up as if someone had hit her with cold water when Aiden’s ex-wife recognized me.

  “Ugh, I was hoping you wouldn’t cross my path,” she said.

  “Likewise,” I replied with a snide smirk. “Actually, I’m surprised to see you here. How’d you book a show at Fashion Week? What? They give weekend passes at Choices now?”

  “Don’t start with me, Sunny.” Ramey rolled her eyes. “I’m working.”

  “One show.”

  I laughed remembering when Ramey Hall could book five or six shows at Fashion Week. She used to be hot but her Xanax addiction, bad attitude, and gold-digging ways caught up with her. I can’t think of a better example of Karma coming for that ass.

  “What’s happening here?” Ramey glared at me. “You think you’re hot shit because you’re showing at Fashion Week? I’m sure your clothes are still as mediocre as they were last time. If you were smart, you’d stay the hell off my bad side, Sunny.”

  “Is that a threat?” I chuckled. “Bitch, please. You haven’t worked in years. No one gives a fuck about what you think about anything anymore. You’re not the same Ramey Hall that everyone wanted to wear their clothes anymore. You’re a former supermodel who is lucky that Charlie has a soft spot for has-beens. Good luck on the runway though. It’s been awhile and I’ve seen the shoes that Charlie has you walking in. Don’t fall.”

  I walked around her and ran over to Delilah and Erica. E’s makeup and hair were flawless. She was wearing a terrycloth robe because I don’t want her to get dressed until the very last minute. She was clutching the robe like a security blanket. This was her first time walking in such a huge show and I knew she was nervous.

  “Toni and Chloe are almost finished so we can start dressing the other models,” I informed my team. “We only have thirty minutes until show time.”

  I looked through each rack of clothes, checking for an out of place button or mismatched earrings.

  “Stop,” Erica demanded. “You’ve done all you can. If you, Kirk, or Delilah touch those clothes one more time, I’m gonna scream. Just relax and let the show happen.”

  “Do we know who’s in the front row?” I asked Candace. She nodded.

  The front row of this show could make or break me. There were only about a hundred seats in the front and I needed those seats filled with the major players in the fashion and entertainment world. Where they go, the press goes.

  I hired a top-notch PR firm in New York to handle the seating. If I had to worry about it, the room would be empty. Jade and Candace have also been working the phones trying to get some of my A-list clients in those seats. I know for sure that Daniela is out there. Madison Charles texted me that she was coming too.

  “Jade and Kelly both emailed you the final seating chart,” Candace said. “Hold on, I’ll pull it up.”

  “No!” Kirk and Delilah yelled. Startled, Candace looked up from her phone with a confused expression.

  “Do not show her that,” Delilah ordered. “The seating arrangements are exactly what they need to be.”

  I stared at Delilah for a minute knowing there was a damn good reason she didn’t want me to see the seating chart.

  “He’s out there, huh?” I asked.

  Delilah nodded. “He’s the VP of Merchandising for Macy’s Inc., Sunny. Kelly doesn’t know about you and him. That’s the only reason she invited him.”

  Tristan and I managed to keep our relationship out of the public the entire time we were together. I had my own reasons but they weren’t nearly as shady as his were. As Aiden Tyler’s baby mama living in Hollywood, I didn’t want to be in a public relationship with someone who wasn’t Aiden. Tristan couldn’t have a public relationship with me because the asshole was married. Or is married. I didn’t know if he still was or not. I don’t care.

  “The other one is out there too,” Kirk told me. “He’s dating one of the models. I guess she got his ticket.”

  I’m definitely not bothered by Xavier’s presence. He’s only here because it’s my show. He doesn’t care about that model. He thinks if he keeps reminding me that he exists, eventually I’ll be open to taking him back. I’m going to let him keep thinking that until Aiden gets sick of the calls, texts, and Thinking of You flowers and kicks his ass. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw my models walking towards us in full hair and makeup.

  “Alright, let’s get these girls dressed and on the runway.”

  With seconds, left to spare, Kirk and I fastened the straps of Erica’s shoes around her ankles and stood up at the same time. Ten thin long-legged models stood calmly waiting for their cues to step out onto the catwalk. I couldn’t stop staring at them. They’re all so beautiful, so radiant, and so tall. To top it all off, they’re wearing my clothes!

  Every single dress, skirt, pant, and shirt was designed by me. My fall collection was everything I’ve ever dreamed about. In one minute, anyone who’s anyone in fashion was going to see my clothes walk the runway at New York Fashion Week.

  I almost passed out.

  I sat in Erica’s abandoned chair for a second and took a few deep breaths. I swallowed a few gulps of water before getting up and walking over the line of models.

  Delilah and Kirk were going from model to model, straightening collars, fixing flyaway hairs, making sure that every last detail was perfect while I stood staring at them, awed by the sight of them. A hand sneaked around my waist and pulled me close to a very familiar chest. I felt Aiden’s lips brush against the top of my head and looked up. I’ve never been so surprised to see those eyes in my life!

  “What are you doing back here? You’re supposed to be in Chicago!”

  “I’m right where I’m supposed to be,” Aiden answered. “Surprise.”

  “I told you he was going to show up!” Erica yelled from the front of the line. “I don’t know why you never believe what I say!”

  “You weren’t supposed to tell her anything!” Aiden shouted. “Jesus, can’t you keep a secret?”

  “How many times do I have to tell both of you to stop plotting and planning behind my back?”

  They both could tell that I was only pretending to be mad. How could I be upset that Aiden, my #1 fan, was there to support me? Aiden squeezed me and discreetly rubbed the small bump that my loose-fitting jumpsuit was hiding. “How’s my little man doing? Is he as nervous as you are?”

  I pushed his hand away from my belly. “Stop,” I scolded him.

  I wasn’t about to tell him that Erica guessed that I was pregnant. He’d have a field day with that one because if Erica knew, it wouldn’t be long before everyone else knew.

  “Baby,” I said when I noticed that the zipper of one of the model’s skirts wasn’t all the way up. “Give me a second. Why don’t you go sit in the audience?”

  “Yeah right,” Aiden laughed.

  “Enough, you two!” Delilah interrupted our moment. “We’re trying to work here! Aiden, you’re such a distraction! When are you going to stop making kissy faces at each other?”

  “What do you need me to do?”

  “We’re ready,” Delilah answered. “The show is about to start.”

  She began to lead the models to the one of the show producers.

  “Oh,” Aiden started to say just as the house lights lowered and Delilah grabbed my hand to escort me to the stage. “I switched your music!” he called. “Dee-Lee said it was okay!”

  “You did what?”

  I was mortified as stepped onto the runway. My palms were sweaty and I felt like I was going to drop the cordless microphone a producer had thrust in my hand. What did he mean by he switched my music? My models had practiced to the medley of songs that I had my uncle put together for me.

  I briefly closed my eyes. It was too late to do anything about it now. I opened my eyes again. Over a thousand people were looking at me, eagerly waiting on me to introduce my collection.
I didn’t even have time to scan the crowed for the familiar faces of my family and friends. The polite applause died down as soon as I brought the mic to my lips.

  “Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for coming. First, I want to thank IMG for giving me this amazing opportunity to show my first collection here at Fashion Week. And I want to thank my parents who have supported me from day one. This is a dream come true for all of us. My collection is called Uninhibited and was inspired by the strong, independent, sexy, and carefree women that I’m around every day. I’d like to dedicate this show to my independent and carefree daughter and her father, the love of my life. Enjoy the show.”

  The house lights were brought down even further as the stage was lit. The silver glitter embedded in the stage’s white paint sparkled like diamonds. The opening notes of the instrumental version of Jodeci’s ‘Freek’n You’ started playing as soon as I stepped off the runway and the spotlight shone on Erica standing in the middle of the stage with both hands on her hips looking like sexy black Geisha in the dramatic black and silver kimono inspired dress.

  “She looks fierce,” Kirk said in awe.

  Delilah grabbed my hand and squeezed. “This is it! Oh my God!”

  Aiden moved behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. That’s when I realized it wasn’t Jodeci coming out of the speakers. It was Aiden and his band and they sounded good!

  “You just had to be a part of this, didn’t you?”

  “You like it. Admit it.”

  “I love it. When did you do this?”

  “I’ll tell you later. Watch your show.”

  Together, we watched as each piece made its way down the runway. From the moment that the Erica started walking, the crowd was awed by the clothes. Erica was all drama and sex on legs as she walked to the end of the runway alone. Only when she turned around to come back, did the next girl step onto the runway. It looked perfectly choreographed and beyond anything that I dreamed about.

  As soon as she stepped around the corner, Delilah and Kirk started unzipping and unfastening Erica’s piece so we could get her into the finale gown. I let go of Aiden’s hands and hurried over to Erica.

  “Girl, they are loving this shit!” Her shout was muffled by the yards of fabric being lowered over her head.

  “I know!” I shivered with excitement then smiled at my friend as Delilah straightened out the dress.

  I smiled at my friend. My finale dress was a showstopper and Erica looked absolutely stunning in the shimmering dark gray and midnight blue gown. As excited as I was about seeing my clothes walk on the biggest stage in fashion, I was more excited to see the dress Erica was wearing glide down the runway.

  I’d been working on that dress ever since I walked into a fabric store in Morrison, Colorado while we were on tour. Erica and I were checking out the locals during one of the many stops on Aiden’s tour and stumbled upon the shop. The fabric caught my eye as soon as I walked through the door. The stormy gray color reminded me of my last night on the beach with Aiden.

  I held the fabric in my hands, amazed by the juxtaposition of soft and rough as my fingers ran over it. When the light hit it, I was transported to the moment when the dark rain-filled clouds burst and drenched us on the beach...when we made love on the sand, completely unrestrained and full of passion.

  The moment I knew that I could have it all.

  That I could have love, family, work, happiness and have it all without sacrifice.

  “I can’t believe this!” I uttered when Erica stepped onto the runway and the entire room burst into applause.

  Every dream I’ve ever had has come true. Every dream I didn’t know I had. Some days I feel like it’s all a dream. But when Aiden leaned down and whispered, “I love you” in my ear, I knew that this wasn’t a dream. This is real life.

  “I’m so proud of you,” Aiden said.

  I grabbed his hand and Delilah’s and stood the end of the line of models prepared for the final walk. Hand in hand, with a Tyler on each side and Erica in front of us, we walked down the runway to the applause of the biggest names in fashion. Sunny Rain and Uninhibited have arrived. Now the world knows that I’m not just the best stylist, I’m a damn good designer too.

  Chapter 10: Back to the Future

  THE TAY-WILLZ PHOTOGRAPHY studio is housed in the art district of Paris on the fourth floor of an old textile warehouse. I’ve been here quite a few times. Taylor is one of the hottest young fashion photographers in the game and she is really making a name for herself. Her shoots are edgy and fun. She’s known for shooting some of the hottest top models and for some of the trendiest designers in the industry. Her space is always loud and chaotic because that’s how she works. The only difference today is that she’s shooting Uninhibited for a fashion spread in Pink Neon during Fashion Week Paris. This is huge! Pink Neon did a piece on RainDrops and our sales tripled that month.

  The S.T.Y.L.E.Z staff was on ten, trying to make sure that every piece is perfect. Hairstylists, models, makeup artists, and Taylor’s friends and assistants are all over the place. People read fashion magazines, see our clothes on the catwalk, and displayed beautifully in boutiques but have no idea that the fashion industry is by far as glamorous as it appears. There’s a lot of yelling, arguing, sweating, and crying done in the hopes of getting that perfect shot that makes a woman want to buy our clothes. Today, we had to get hundreds of perfect shots to choose from for the eight-page spread. I was trying to give them as many options as I could.

  “Mama, I’m on set,” I shouted into my earpiece. “I can’t talk about that right now.”

  “Sunny, I need to know if you’re going to hire that Sinclair person or not because Dina and I were shopping in Beaugrenelle and she mentioned that we might need a wedding planner in Atlanta. Doesn’t it make more sense to hire someone local since you’re getting married there?”

  “Of course it makes more sense, Mama,” I answered absently while motioning for one of the hairstylists to get her ass over to me. “But I’m on set so I can’t talk about this right now. Why’d you call my work phone anyway?”

  “Well,” Peaches huffed. “I tried calling Sara but she’s somewhere with your fiancé and Delilah ain’t answer her phone.

  “Delilah is working on set with me.”

  “Why are y’all working? We’re supposed to be on vacation!”

  “Mama, you knew that I had to work in Paris. We’ll vacation when we get to Milan. I’ll see you back at the hotel tonight, okay?”

  She started to protest but I quickly ended that drama with the click of a button. This was the biggest photo shoot I’ve ever done. I couldn’t have these distractions. That’s why Sara was tasked with keeping her brother away from me. Kirk walked over to me holding a bottle of Gatorade and a bottle of water, both ice cold and tempting.

  “Pick one and have a seat,” he ordered. “You’re sweating and your hair looks atrocious. Do you have a brush in your purse?”

  “Of course I do,” I replied as I sat in a nearby folding chair and reached for the Gatorade. Aiden has my staff on high alert and on babysitting duty. Since Dr. Margolis confirmed that my anemia isn’t getting any better, they’ve been watching me like hawks. I can’t imagine what they were going to be like when I tell them I was expecting.

  I have been taking it easy…well, easier and trusting my team. However, after Fashion Week comes awards season and I’m constantly on the hunt for the perfect dress because no one is getting a Sunny Rain original this year.

  Despite everyone’s orders to rest, when the editor-in-chief of one of the biggest women’s magazines in the United States personally reaches out to give you an interview and eight-page spread in her magazine, pregnant or not, you set it up when the photographer is free.

  “Candace sent your itinerary for the Seattle trip,” Kirk informed me. “I cannot wait to see where your clothes are going to be made!”

  “Me either. I can’t believe we found a reasonable factory in Washington. I thought
we were going to have to look overseas.”

  “Then you’d be in China every week. So,” Kirk grinned devilishly. “Are you and the hubby going to move to Seattle?”

  “No, smart ass,” I giggled. “Aiden Tyler, leave LA? It’ll be a cold day in hell before that happens.”

  I took a swig of the cool drink and shut my eyes. I’m tired but the show must go on. Kirk quickly returned to work while I watched Taylor in action. She was in her element, snapping her camera at a rapid pace, changing lenses, and the lighting. She’s done enough shoots for Pink Neon to know what they like. I’m satisfied that the clothes on the models look fierce, exactly the way I made them.

  As I was a keeping eye out for a sneaky panty line or a rogue bra strap, Delilah jogged over and handed me my personal cell.

  Her smile was brighter than all the lights in the room when she said, “It’s your fiancé.”

  After our near wedding in Santa Barbara, Aiden and I hadn’t set another date, despite our family’s willingness to plan our wedding. I’m about to hit the sixteen week mark so we still have time. Besides, I just want to get to Milan and settle down so we can tell everyone about the engagement and the baby. After that announcement, I could start to focus on the wedding.

  I took the phone Delilah. “What’s up, bae?”

  Aiden groaned. “Please don’t call me that.”

  “You know I’m on set, right?”

  “Yeah, but I gotta talk to you about something. Do you think you can skip a show or two tonight and have dinner with me?”