CHAPTER SEVEN

LAYING ON HIS BACK in bed, Maiken reached for his phone on the nightstand. It was almost two a.m. and he was the furthest from sleep he could possibly be. He realized he’d been selfish in thinking he was the only person on the planet who’d lost someone special to them. Had he been acting that way around Lincoln too? Chances were, he had. Regret swamped him as he tossed the phone beside him on the bed. It was useless to just lay there and ponder shit that didn’t need pondering so he got up and headed downstairs. When he got to the living room, he noticed Jessica standing at the front window looking out into the blackness.

“Everything okay?” he asked. She must not have heard him come downstairs because her body jolted as she spun around to face him. “I didn’t mean to scare you,” he walked closer to her.

“It’s fine. I was just staring blankly out the window.” She laughed.

“Hey, I’m sorry for the way I’ve been. I’ve been caught up in my own shit for so long, I forgot how to live.” He admitted.

“You don’t have to apologize. I’m the one who pretty much crashed into your life here.”

“That’s not such a bad thing if you ask me.” She smiled but he could tell she wasn’t convinced.

“Truthfully, I’ve been so caught up in my career and trying to be somebody that I forgot how to live too. Heck, I can’t remember the last time I went on a date even. I always found something wrong with men who were interested in me.”

“I’m assuming you found one big flaw with me, huh?”

She shook her head. “No. That’s who you are. It’s fascinating and intriguing.”

“Most outsider women would’ve ran screaming when they overheard Izzy and I talking about it.”

“I’m not most women.”

“No, you’re not. You’re a beautiful woman who deserves love and devotion. You should consider taking time in your life to recognize when it comes along.”

“You’re right.”

“In the meantime, I know you need to return to New York. But, when you finally figure things out, I would like to take you out.”

“Did you just ask me out on a date?” she laughed.

Maiken smiled. “I’m pretty sure I did.”

“Then, I accept.”

***

Six Months Later

“Make sure those garments are lint free. You know how the stage lights make it more prominent,” Jessica barked at her team behind the curtain at New York Fashion Week. The interns and assistants fluttered around the area, armed with lint rollers, hairspray and water bottles. “Get those earrings off that model, they don’t go with that coat!” she screamed.

Stress didn’t begin to describe what she was feeling as she prepared for her runway show. She wanted everything to be perfect because this collection was special—more so than any of her others in the past. J. Cristobel was debuting its first outerwear line and she needed it to be a smashing success.

“I can’t find the shoes for the model wearing a vest,” a panicked intern shook as she relayed an issue to Jessica.

Jessica glanced around the area. “She’s second to last in the lineup, have her use a pair from another model after their walk,” she calmly said.

This was it, she was doing something completely different than what she was known for. It was a risk to step outside the box in the fashion industry, but she wanted to create a collection that was close to her heart. Even if the fashion industry hated it, she would love it anyway.

Checking her watch one more time, she took a deep breath. In just a few minutes she would send the models down the runway with her new designs. I can do this. She thought to herself.

“J. Cristobel, we’re ready for you,” a short energetic man with a headset on, signaled to the line of models waiting patiently behind the stage.

Jessica’s nerves ramped up but she refused to show fear externally. Even though her heart was about to crash through her ribcage, on the outside she looked just as polished as the models currently making their way down the narrow runway. It was over in the blink of an eye and soon she was doing the final walk with them all. Tears pricked the back of her eyes as the entire crowd rose to their feet, giving her the loudest session of claps she’d ever heard. Her big moment had went smoothly and soon she would be back behind the curtain, able to find a moment of relief. Jessica waved to the crowd as a thank you for their support, then she followed her line of models off the runway.

Since her show was the last of the day, cheers erupted from the models, and staff. Once everything quieted down, she began to speak, “I want to thank all of you for your hard work. I know I get neurotic at times, but I think we can all agree it’s for a good cause,” she laughed. “Now, how about we go somewhere and celebrate?” Everyone cheered as they undressed the models and packed things away. When Jessica turned around, she stopped in her tracks. Her eyes went wide and a smile spread across her face. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, I’ve been doing nothing but thinking of you for the past six months,” Maiken had his hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans and he looked unsure of himself.

“You have?” she stepped closer.

“It’s the strangest thing. Doesn’t matter where I go or what I do, you’re always front and center in my mind,” he closed the distance between them. “Even when I’ve shifted, I still think of you.”

She fought the tears that were threatening to spill over like a waterfall. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Jess, I’m not asking for marriage or even a solid commitment right now. But I do think there’s something here. I know it must be strange knowing what I really am, but I’m hoping you can give us a chance despite it.”

“But I live here. What about my career?”

He looked around her and took in the hustle and bustle of the area. “We will find a way to make it work.” His brow crinkled a bit as one of the models walked by them. “Did you design a line of clothing from fur?” 

“Um, I did. It’s all faux fur though.” She suddenly felt self-conscious about her designs. “You inspired me.”

“Now I’m speechless,” he said as he removed his hands from his pockets and reached for hers. “Are you willing to give us a try?”

Jessica bit her lip and let out a pent up breath. “Yes.”

Without warning, Maiken let go of her hands, then placed them on the sides of her face. When he leaned in, pressing his warm lips to hers, Jessica felt like all was right in her world. The truth was, she’d been thinking about him every day too. She couldn’t exactly say it was love but one thing was for sure…Jessica was happy.

The End