the same.
“We rely on the media, but we can’t always control what goes into print. The Sip ’n’ Chat is our way of having an informal press conference where we release only the information we want the media to have, at the exact moment we want them to have it.”
She nodded. “Smart.”
“Yeah, just like me.” He winked.
“You? I thought we were talking about your team who came up with this very smart idea.” She smiled and he enjoyed the light that came into her eyes. A jolt of awareness hit him as he realized she really was different from the other women he’d met.
“I’m talking about how smart I was to have finally agreed to meeting with you when I did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing here with you.” He’d stepped closer to her as he said those words. Another step or two and he would be on top of her, which wasn’t a bad idea—except he wasn’t down for an audience.
“Hi! You made it! That dress looks fabulous on you. Doesn’t it, Major?” Riley asked when she approached, Chaz right beside her.
Why she was asking him the obvious, Major had no idea, but he gladly answered. “It does.”
“Thanks,” Nina said, holding a silver clutch in front of her as she nodded at Riley and Chaz. “I hope it photos well. I came up on the elevator with three reporters and two photographers.”
“Nina, this is Chaz Warren, my boyfriend.” Riley smiled as she glanced at Chaz and he returned the look before extending his hand to Nina.
“Hello, Nina. It’s nice to meet you. Riley’s told me all about you, your company and, ah, this marketing plan.”
Major wasn’t sure how he felt about that. While his first instinct was to be happy for Riley—who seemed more relaxed and content with Chaz than he’d ever recalled—there was still a small part of him that was on guard. Telling Chaz about their marketing strategies when he was still working—even if only on a part-time basis—with his uncle, didn’t seem like the best idea. But tonight, Major had other things to worry about.
“King Designs is doing great this season. I’ve been keeping up with your shows and sales,” Nina said.
“Ah, yeah. Wow, you’re keeping tabs on us,” Chaz replied. “Not sure if I should be worried or impressed by that. But, um, our line is doing really well after the relaunch and we’re hoping for the same success with a couple other lines.”
“That’s good to know. And yes, in my line of business, I try to keep my eye on the top companies in the industry,” she told him.
Okay, add another thing to the list of things for Major to ponder. Was Nina really going to stand there and pitch her company to their biggest competitor?
“It’s almost time for the announcement,” Desta said when she joined them.
Thankful for the interruption, Major slipped his arm around Nina’s waist and gently led her in the direction Desta was now speed-walking.
“We’re going to begin with pictures. The family has already started, but you two are up next. Reporters are chomping at the bit trying to figure out what’s going on.” Desta talked as she walked and Major followed, enjoying the feel of his hand resting at the small of Nina’s back.
The venue was crowded with people, most of whom he knew from the industry, some of whom he’d never seen before in his life. He supposed he should feel some measure of nervousness or possibly anxiety, but all he felt was anticipation.
“There are so many people here,” Nina said when they made their way to the other side of the terrace.
It was a gorgeous night for a terrace party, not too humid and the sky full of stars.
Major came around behind her, his hand still at her waist as they moved through a group of people, one of whom did a double take when she saw him. It wasn’t someone he knew, but he could tell the buzz around tonight’s announcement was growing because the woman’s gaze had immediately shifted from him to Nina with an inquisitive quirk of her brow.
“Are they normally like this?” Nina asked.
“Like what?”
“So hungry for whatever is going to happen next. Surely they’ve been to this event before, so they know what you’re going to be talking about—your fashion house. But their anticipation is almost palpable.”
That question came when they were just a few steps from an arch covered in white flowers made to look purple by the up-lighting positioned on the