A wounded noise escapes me. “Jamie.”
He smirks, delighted. “You can’t kid a kidder, Lily. That was absolutely the ‘some guy is ruining my life’ face.”
“Don’t call it that,” I groan, though my chest tugs painfully at the truth.
He softens immediately, because beneath the sass, Jamie always knows when to shift. With a glance at Isabella’s back, he lowers his voice. “Hey. Look at me.”
Reluctantly, I do.
“Whatever sent you here,” he says quietly, “it screwed you up. No offense, darling, but the way you hide things? That’s trauma talking. And someone still owns your damn heart. You don’t have to say it, but it’s obvious you still—”
“Jamie,” I hiss, but my voice cracks.
He just lifts a brow. “I’m not judging. I’m simply reminding you you’re human. And you’re allowed to want things, even messy things.”
My throat tightens.
He places a hand on my shoulder, softer now. “Don’t let the wanting scare you. And don’t let it decide anything for you either.”
I swallow hard. “I don’t know how we’d ever get back on track.”
“You don’t have to have all the answers today,” Jamie says simply. “Today, you wear the dress. You breathe. You shine.” He nudges me lightly with his elbow, a crooked grin returning. “And if whoever he is gets to see you like this again? He’ll have to earn it.”
My chest squeezes—painful, hopeful.
“Jamie…”
He winks. “Darling, I’m not saying he deserves a second chance. I’m saying… if he ever does, I hope he realises he’s looking at the reason the worddevotionwas invented.”
The breath I draw in is shaky, but lighter.
And for the first time all day, hope doesn’t feel like a betrayal.
Backstage, the energy is electric. A frantic buzz of anticipation mixes with the pounding fear radiating from my classmates and their models. For most of us, this is the first time a design of ours will debut on a runway, not to mention that these showcases are notorious for drawing industry insiders hunting the next big name and investors eager to back whoever stands out.
It’s not just our grades on the line. It’s our futures, and that makes the risk I’m taking that much more daunting. Either the judges and potential investors will love the boldness of my move or they’ll clutch their pearls to their chest, vowing to never work with me. No biggie. Absolutely none at all.
I slip into my dress, cool silk gliding over my skin, and pause to smooth it into place. Every detail matters—the way the slit falls, the curve of the fabric over my hips, making sure the neckline is sitting just so.
Jamie fusses over the hem one last time. “Perfect,” he says, a grin tugging at his lips. “Own it out there. Remember,youare this dress.”
“Please tell me you also feel seconds away from passing out?” I joke, glancing at him in the mirror. The dress demanded an updo, and thank God Isabella spared me the embarrassment of attempting a French twist myself. Between getting their own models ready, she and Jamie somehow found time to help with my hair and slip me into the dress.
I take a slow breath, the rhythm of the music thrumming through the floorboards even backstage. Adrenaline mingles with the remnants of desire, keeping my pulse sharp. The announcer calls the next model, applause swelling like a heartbeat that vibrates through the walls.
I step toward the curtain, fingers tightening around the fabric for courage while the music swells.
It’s my turn.
Channelling the version of myself who comes alive on my streams, I step into the light, shoulders back, chin high, heels clicking against the runway floor. I focus on the movement—the sway of the fabric, the curve of my body, the line of my neck. Confidence is performance—it’s one I’m well versed in by this point in my camming career—and I let it ripple through every step, every turn.
Halfway down the runway, something shifts.
Not the audience leaning forward. Not the judges whispering to each other. Something quieter. Sharper. A pull low in my stomach that makes my steps hover for half a breath before instinct smooths them out.
I know that feeling.
I’ve spent years trying not to know it, and yet my body recognises it instantly.
