Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye - Jacquelyn Middleton Page 0,127
of “Never Can Say Goodbye” by Sheena Easton blasted from the speakers, hushing the guests in the next room. Leia blew out a breath and swayed along to the melody, waiting…waiting until just before the lyrics began. With an encouraging nod, she gave Lucy the green light and off she went, strutting her stuff with a cheeky wiggle and a whole lot of sass.
The last notes of Diana Ross’s “More Today Than Yesterday” blended seamlessly into Dua Lipa’s “Love Again” as Leia grinned at the monitor’s live feed from the runway. Shantelle was sashaying back, finishing her second of three appearances while a beaming Sarah rolled toward the end of the runway, where a cluster of photographers snapped away on a riser. The two rows of seats hugging the sides were full of rapt fashion experts, and the standing area behind remained packed with many a phone aloft, filming the festivities.
Two songs down, one to go… no clothing malfunctions, no runway collisions. Please let us have a clean finish. Leia looked up, catching Shantelle walking through the doorjamb. “Okay, Alex, you’re up.”
She flashed a grin and danced back onto the runway for her second appearance. Joan, Freddie, Naomi, Ben, and Riley moved forward, awaiting their respective turns. Lucy stood with Jordan, Simon, and Spencer, ready for the presentation’s conclusion when all the models would join Leia for her final bow.
Shantelle lingered by Leia’s side, fiddling with the ruffled sleeve of her dress.
“You okay?” Leia bobbed her head to the music, her eyes glued to the live feed. “If you need help with your zipper, Spencer can do it, or Simon. Your final dress is on the rack.”
“Scotty, there’s something you should you know.”
Leia spied Sarah about to return backstage. “Is it about your dress? If not, can it wait?”
“Not really.” Shantelle stepped closer, giving Sarah space to sweep past in her chair.
“Joan?” Leia beckoned her forward and Freddie took her spot next in line. He casually swayed back and forth, shamelessly eavesdropping.
Shantelle shot him an unamused stare. “Scotty”—she leaned in conspiratorially—“me and Bastien…we’re sleeping together.”
Leia snorted. “Duh, yeah! I figured as much. He is SO into you.”
“What?!” Leia blurted, her eyes widening, straying from Alex’s final walk. She hated him a month ago!
“I’m giving up my apartment and moving into his—in Paris.”
What the fuck?! Leia’s jaw dropped in shock. “Paris?! Shan, but are you…what will—” She stammered, her tongue unable to keep up with the anxious thoughts spiraling through her mind.
I can’t believe this! My closest friend MOVING—across the world!
She just bought her new townhouse in Tribeca–what’ll happen to that?
Her breath hitched.
What’ll happen to our contract?! SHIT!
Reality sinking in fast, Leia’s heart raced. She blinked wearily at the live feed and caught Joan dancing and playing up to the audience, reliving her glory days on stage. The fashionable crowd ate it up.
LEIA, FOCUS! Frill-Seekers first, Shantelle’s drama later. You’re almost done. Keep momentum going, stay in control. She fought the tightness in her chest with several deep breaths and a quick sip of water. “Shan, you go change. Freddie?” She patted his arm. “Once Alex is back, you go.”
“No worries, darling!” Sweeping his floppy brown hair from his eyes, Freddie playfully practiced poses in his sparkly blue gown made from two 1970s disco-era dresses.
Biting her lip, Shantelle jumped in again. “I know this changes our contract a smidge—”
“No, Shan. It changes it a lot!” Keeping her volume low, Leia’s whole body tensed. “Three thousand miles is NOT a smidge!”
“But it won’t cost you a penny!” Shantelle clasped her hands together. “I’ll pay for your flights between New York and Paris.”
“And what about my time, eh?” Leia flashed a tight grin as Alex squeezed past and Freddie bounded onto the runway, his exuberance part Tigger, part Derek Zoolander. “That comes at a cost, too, you know! For me, not you.”
“I’m sorry, Leia. I know this is out of the blue, but this afternoon, my psychic said…”
The psychic? Again? Shit! Fuming, Leia rubbed her furrowed brow. “Shan, I love you, but right now, I really need you to change.”
“I will, but—”
“Shan, NOW!” Leia ordered through clenched teeth. For fuck’s sake! She’s going to screw up the end of my show!
Shoulders slumping, Shantelle skulked past Naomi, Ben, Sarah, and the others, their shared wide-eyed glances silent but loaded.
Shit. Leia chewed her fingernail. What am I going to do?
“Ah, I enjoyed that!” Joan, breathless and beaming, ambled backstage, patting Leia’s arm before joining her