Chapter 143 The Newbie
“The success of Freerange Rider depends on you now,” Emily said to her models. Twenty tall, handsome, and stylish men listened to her inspiring speech. A few of them looked bored, but that was just the way with male models. Also, a couple of them were missing… “Now get changed into your outfits, go out there, and make me proud! I know you will.”
At least Carter showed up, which seemed like a good sign since he was the face of Freerange Rider. The models went to change, while Emily turned to Katie, who hovered nervously behind her.
“Any word from those laggards?” Emily asked.
“Terence is sick,” Katie replied, “He just texted. And I have no idea where Milo is.”
“Great! I have to find two models on short notice. Just what I needed today.” Emily had not experienced a panic attack in recent weeks, but she felt like they were about to make a comeback.
“I already called the agency,” Katie said. “They’re looking for a couple of guys who can fill in on short notice.”
“Good. Thanks, Katie!” The show would start in an hour, so there was still time.
Byron came into the backstage area, looking annoyingly calm. “Is there anything you need?” he asked. “Are you doing okay?”
“I’m freaking out,” Emily said, “but that’s normal before a show. And we’re missing two models, but replacements should be coming in shortly.”
“What about him?” Katie pointed unceremoniously at Byron. “Your fiancé could fill in for one of the guys.”
“I thought I was just here for moral support,” Byron said.
“Actually…” Emily glanced at him, rubbing her chin, “Your measurements are pretty similar to Terence’s. I wonder if we can get you into his outfits.”
“Okay, I guess I’m being recruited.” Byron shrugged happily. He was wearing a fashionable black suit and a crisp white shirt, but he was about to put on something a little different…
A few minutes later, he had changed into a denim jacket and jeans. A dusty yellow plaid shirt and cowboy boots completed the outfit, giving him a wild yet resilient appearance.
“Yes, you’ve got the look,” Katie said, “Doesn’t he have the look?”
“You have got the look,” Emily confirmed. “How do you feel?”
“Good,” Byron said, “Not my usual outfit, but I kind of like it.”
“You’re going on the runway,” Emily said. “You actually look better than the original model who was going to wear this.”
“The agency just texted,” Katie reported, “They’ve got one replacement model on their way.”
“Perfect,” Emily said, “Tell them we don’t need any more.”
Carter already jumped in, coaching Byron on how to do the walk and the fancy turns. For a billionaire, Byron was remarkably humble as he watched carefully and tried to perfect the steps.
Emily stayed backstage, but she could see everything live on a video screen as the fashion show began.
The first few models walked out in their practiced way. Emily was getting a positive vibe from the way the audience reacted, but it was probably too soon to tell if the new style was a hit.
When it was time for Byron to go on, she gave him a quick kiss before sending him out.
“Woohoo! Byron Pomeroy!” somebody yelled from the audience.
The whole crowd of viewers erupted in a loud cheer, and hundreds of voices picked up his name.
Byron dropped his sassy model glare for a moment and flashed a reticent smile, which was somehow even sexier than his smoldering look. He gave the audience a quick wave as he walked.
He made it to the end of the runway and struck some poses, showing off the outfit from all angles and putting his hands in his pockets.
Right in that moment, Emily somehow knew the new line was going to be a success.
A few days later, she sat at her dining room table reading the reviews that praised her inventiveness and artistry.
“Look here,” she said to Byron, who came over with glasses of fresh juice for them. “It says, ‘Byron Pomeroy might be a newbie at modelling, and his runway walk is not yet polished, but he looked like he was having a great time, and the audience loved him.’ Does this mean you’re going to become a model?”
“It was probably a one-time thing,” he said with a shy smile. “I’m glad I could help you out. But more importantly, what do they say about you?”
“Here it says, ‘Emily Danzi shows an appreciation for the past while taking her fashions imaginatively into the future. What a brilliant collection!’”
“Sounds like you killed it,” he remarked.
“I certainly did.” She didn’t want to be too vain or self-satisfied, but each review she read made her smile even more. “Now I can finally relax and do something less stressful, like prepare for our wedding.”
“Uh… I wouldn’t call it less stressful,” Byron said, the crease between his eyebrows cautioning that there might be something amiss.
“Is there something wrong with our wedding… again?” Emily asked, her smile waning.
“I tried to get in touch with Quinn Faines asking if he would sing at our wedding,” Byron said gravely, “but his agent said he would not be available.”
“What?! Why?”
“He didn’t explain.”
“Did you ask him why he wasn’t available?”
“Of course I asked,” Byron said, “but all they said was Quinn Faines is otherwise occupied. Don’t worry, though. I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”
