| |
“Wow, woman,” Kylie gushed. “You look amazing.”
She twirled around in her gorgeous new green silk dress and struck a pose. “You really think so?”
She laughed. “Well, Mason hasn’t taken his eyes off your ass since you walked in the room, so I’d say yes.”
“Good,” she said saucily, and turned around to find Mason watching her with a smile from where he and Cruz were chatting. Her heart fluttered for the thousandth time that day.
He always did that to her. Even after six months, it never lessened, never got old. It was just like the first time, and she understood now that she had known from the very beginning that he was the one for her.
“You look gorgeous, too, you know,” Gabi pointed out. Kylie was a vision in navy silk. “Our men are hella lucky.”
She giggled. “That’s for sure,” and grabbed two champagnes off a passing tray. “One for you,” she told Gabi, “and one for me.”
“If it’ll help calm the nerves, I’m in.”
Kylie waved her hand through the air casually. “It’s in the bag, Gabs, on lockdown.”
She felt her stomach vibrate with anxiety as she looked around the bustling room. It was full of talented designers, all dressed to the nines. “I wish I had your confidence.”
“And they wish they had our skills.”
She laughed and downed her champagne. It was a very big deal to even be invited to the International Interior Design Awards, and unthinkable that they were actually nominated for Design of the Year so early in their career.
Not many of the experienced designers were happy with their sudden burst onto the scene with the success of the Finch house. If she didn’t have Kylie and Mason at her side, she would have cracked from the pressure.
“Oh,” Kylie perked up and waved to someone across the room, “there’s George!”
“Dad,” she breathed, thankful that he had made it too. Since he had moved to Chicago, they spent as much time together as possible. He and Mason were almost inseparable.
She shuffled across the room as quickly as she could in four-inch heels and planted a huge red smooch right on his cheek. “Dad, I’m so glad you’re here.”
He threw his arms around her. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world, ladybug. You look beautiful.”
“Hi, Georgie,” Kylie said, sidling up for a group hug.
He opened up an arm and let her in. “My two gorgeous girls, I’m so proud of you both.”
“George,” Mason said from behind, “good to see you.”
Her dad let the girls go, but not without kissing them both on the forehead. “Mason, my man,” he said happily, taking his hand. “It’s good to see you too.” He nodded to the girls. “What do you think your chances are?”
“Dad,” Gabi whined.
But Mason simply answered, “I’d say it’s a sure bet. I’ve looked over the competition. Nothing compares to the Finch house.”
Her heart pounded happily and she planted a kiss on his cheek. “You’re sweet.”
“And you are beautiful,” he said, dipping down to give her a real kiss.
Her dad cleared his throat and averted his eyes.
“My lovelies,” Mrs. Finch cooed, appearing suddenly by their side in a dazzling golden gown, a flute of champagne in her elegant hand. “How are you this evening?”
“Nervous,” Gabi said at the same time Kylie said, “Terrified.”
Mrs. Finch waved a heavily bejeweled hand through the air. “You two have nothing to worry about.”
“That’s what I keep saying,” George told her.
Mrs. Finch’s face brightened with interest as she looked over Gabi’s father. She held out a hand. “And who might you be?”
“This is my father,” Gabi explained.
To her utter shock and amazement, her father grinned, took the offered hand, and kissed it flirtatiously. “George Turner,” he said, looking suddenly more like James Bond in his tux.
“Gwen Finch,” she answered, her voice a little breathy.
Gabi, Kylie, Mason, and Cruz all shared a wide-eyed stare.
“We should probably head in,” Cruz offered uncomfortably. “Looks like the herd is congregating.”
“We should indeed,” Mrs. Finch declared, claiming George’s offered arm.
Shrugging, Kylie happily threaded her arm through Cruz’s, Gabi through Mason’s, and they all made their way to the table with their names on it.
As they sat down, her dad nodded to Mrs. Finch and whispered, “Married?”
Gabi couldn’t help but grin at her dad, and answered, “Widowed.”
Her father smiled. “Good. To. Know.”
She laughed and looked around at everyone at the table, all the people she loved, and her heart was awash in happiness. Her heart was healed.
Mason held her hand tightly under the table the whole night. Through dinner, through the lesser awards, and especially during the build-up to Design of the Year.
The crowd gasped at the images taken of the Finch house and she felt an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. They had done that. Her and Kylie and Mason and Cruz. Their touches were everywhere, in each room, and it was beautiful.
Mason squeezed her hand tightly and whispered, “I love you forever,” in her ear as the emcee finished presenting the nominated designs.
“I love you too,” she whispered back, shivering from the goosebumps his words gave her.
“And the winner is,” the emcee continued, glancing down at his papers, “G&K Designs in conjunction with AdamsMade.”
It took a moment for it to sink in, and eventually Mason had to pull her up from her seat and push her toward the stage as applause filled the room.
A giggling, crying Kylie took her arm, and they ascended the stage together in complete amazement.
Looking at her friend, she wondered how she had ever gotten so lucky. “Love you, Ky,” she whispered.
“Love you too,” she answered back, her face full of happy disbelief.
Grasping hands tightly, they accepted the award together with their handsome men behind them.