“I can’t believe you got to wear the showpiece of the night,” Landon gushed. “Actually, I can. You’re an absolute icon, and I’m so glad you’re back in the limelight where you belong.”
Pride swelled in her chest. As far as comebacks went, she knew she’d nailed this one. Walking a New York catwalk again had been like riding a bike. Any nerves she might have had dissipated the moment she stepped onto the runway. Knowing Jordan was in the crowd helped too.
But something had changed since the last time she’d been in this position. The after-party didn’t tempt her like it used to. She’d told Jordan she wanted to go to it, but now she was ready for comfy clothes, room service, and crawling into bed with her man.
They hadn’t talked about how long they’d stay in New York, or what came next, maybe because she couldn’t picture not returning to Portland.
Being back in the Big Apple was like visiting an old friend. She loved the city’s energy. Her career had been born here. But Portland…she’d rediscovered herself there, and somehow, for better or for worse, it had started to feel like home.
And for someone who hadn’t lived anywhere for longer than a couple of years in a very long time, that meant something.
“Hey.” Landon looked up from his phone. “Jordan wants me to get you up to the roof for the after-party.”
She frowned. “He wanted me to meet him here. Besides, I thought the after-party was on the third-floor patio.”
Landon’s eyebrows shot up, and he curled his lip. “I don’t know what memo you read, but that wasn’t it. Party’s on the roof.” He waved his phone in front of her. “And the boss man wants you up there, stat. He’s getting antsy.”
It definitely was possible that she had read the note about the after-party incorrectly, but she clearly remembered Jordan’s instruction to wait here for him. “Jordan got in touch with you? When did you exchange numbers?”
“Before the show. He knew models weren’t allowed to have their phones backstage at this event, so he needed another way to reach you if plans changed. Which they have. So we should go.” He draped his arm over her shoulders and guided her toward the exit.
Unease stirred in her gut as she let the friend she’d always trusted lead her into the hall. “I don’t know. I mean, Jordan isn’t one to really change plans.”
Landon laughed. “Why doesn’t that surprise me? Here, read the text if you don’t believe me.”
Vanessa frowned at the brief text in front of her.
Bring her to the roof. I’ll meet you there.
“Have you seen the crowd?” Landon asked as he wove her through the throng. “He probably wanted to scope out the roof before you got there.”
That made sense. That would definitely be something he’d do. And Landon had been a friend for years. They always looked out for each other, so it also made sense for Jordan to trust her with him.
She followed Landon to the main lobby. A crowd had formed around the elevator.
“Come on, there’s another elevator back here.”
Straying away from the crowd made her feel more uneasy. As they approached the quieter corridor that led to a hidden set of elevators, she slowed.
“Do these go to the roof?”
“Yes, I went up there earlier to take photos of the space in the daylight. The magazine I’m shooting for wanted them.”
A ping echoed in the empty corridor as the elevator doors slid open.
“Maybe we should wait here. You could text him and tell him to meet us here.”
Landon rolled his eyes. “This stalker has you wound up tighter than a sinner in church, my friend. Do we need to get you another bunny rabbit?” He extended an arm, motioning her to step inside. “Trust me, he’ll be up there.”
He was right. She was overreacting. She followed Landon into the elevator and leaned against the back wall as the doors shut. The stalker really had gotten to her. She needed Nigel’s support. She?—
An icy chill swept up her spine, jolting her upright.Landon was facing away from her, staring up at the numbers as they increased to the roof.
“Landon?” she asked softly, inching closer to the call buttons, eyeing the one with the bell on it. “How did you know I had a rabbit?”
When she tried to reach for the alarm button, his hand whipped out lightning fast, trapping her wrist in his grip. “Don’t do that now. Not when we’re so close to the finish.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
