Here for You (16 page)

We make it about ten more feet and my blood boils when I see him. He stops her. “Ashley, can we talk a minute?”

“Charlie, everything is on track and set up for the evening, so there’s nothing else to discuss.”

“Are you bringing your personal bodyguard everywhere with you now?”

“He’s my boyfriend. I don’t need my bodyguard when I have JC with me.”

Charlie’s eyes go wide as his head swivels to me. “You’re dating
this
guy?”

I don’t even know what that means. I’m not sure when professional baseball player became such a lowly occupation, but apparently it is in Charlie’s eyes.

Ashley completely ignores his comment and goes on with business. “I will handle the introduction for the show. Would you like to be on stage too?”

“It’s my account. Of course I should be on stage.”

“Charlie, it’s only your account because I gave it to you. It’s the biggest brand we’re launching right now, and I don’t want anything getting in the way. You will act professional and respect my boundaries, correct?”

He nods his head. “Yes. Are you sure I can’t talk to you for just a minute?”

“There are too many people I need to say hello to. I’m sorry. I will see you on stage in thirty minutes.”

I scowl at Charlie as we leave him. Ashley slowly makes her way across the room stopping to say a quick hello to most people. Everyone in the room knows her, and there’s a very apparent air of admiration. I’m thinking most actually fear her, but either way there is a level of respect. She has introduced me as her boyfriend to a few of the groups and in others she’s either referred to me as her date or left it unspoken. She seems to know who fits into each group, and I’m not the least bit offended.

As we near the far end of the room, I see the stage she must have been referring to. Well, it’s actually a runway. It’s elevated, with huge chandeliers hanging above every few feet. The runway itself is white, and there are columns of varying width and height at the far end of it. Rows of silver chairs are lined up on both sides and at the front of the runway.

After she finishes talking to the group we were just standing by, I lean down close to her. “What’s going to happen on the runway?”

She looks at me, and I see her eyes light up. She still doesn’t give me the Ashley smile I’ve come to love, but at least the sparkle in her eye tells me the real Ashley is still in there somewhere. She walks me over to one of the bars.

“Have a cocktail. I need to have my team gather everyone by the runway so we can get this show going. It’s short, but I want to get everyone pumped up for the remaining time they’re here.”

“Should I sit up by everyone else?”

“Nah. You’ll be able to see everything from here. It will make it easier for me to find you in the crowd.” She winks as she turns to leave, and I smile to myself. I can’t explain what that does for my ego, but knowing this tough-as-nails woman wants to find me in the crowd makes me feel pretty great.

I see Fonz and Lizzy making their way toward me. “You can hang out here with JC, I need to go help Ashley. Enjoy the show, boys.” Lizzy smiles as she walks away, and Fonz still has a big grin on his face.

“Easy there, buddy.”

“She’s awesome, dude. A few years older, but she’s only twenty-five. I could get used to an older woman.”

I laugh as I smack him on the shoulder. “First lesson: please don’t ever let her hear you call her an older woman.”

He grins. “I know, Wills. I’m just sayin’. She’s more mature than the girls I usually date but also a lot of fun.”

I shake my head. “What do you want to drink?”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” I have to give the kid credit because he has followed my rule religiously throughout the season. With him being a rookie, I didn’t want him to get carried away, so I’ve kept him on a tighter leash than the rest of the team. But he’s proven that he can handle the big leagues, and since he’s with me, I can keep an eye on him.

He turns to the bartender and orders a scotch. “Do you want one?”

I nod, and he hands it to me a minute later. Most of the room has moved toward the runway and are sitting in the chairs surrounding it. Fonz and I are both leaning back against the bar when all of a sudden the lights in the room go out and the runway itself lights up from below. A few overhead lights cast a purple glow over the entire area, and I’m already drawn to what’s going to happen.

The next thing I know Ashley is walking out on the runway. The applause that erupts as soon as she walks out is thunderous. I look at Fonz, who just gives me his goofy smile. “That chick seriously rocks a room.”

I want to tell him that Ashley is more than a chick, but I know that’s a compliment in Fonz’s eyes so I let it go.

The second she puts her hands up to quiet the audience, they stop. It’s like she has a switch. It’s crazy, and again almost unnerving how much control she has in this world. A few seconds later, I see Charlie walk out alongside a man I haven’t met yet. They stand on either side of her, a few inches back from her position.

Ashley thanks the entire room for attending and goes on to introduce the new brand and the designer for the upcoming high-end fashion line. Even though she’s in business-mode, I can tell that deep down, she’s really excited about this brand.

The three of them back off the runway and “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons starts playing. As soon as the heavy-hitting bass starts pumping, models begin walking out from behind the columns at the far end. They move down the runway in rhythm with the heavy beat, perfectly synchronized. The intensity of what’s happening is amazing. I can’t take my eyes off the show.

Each girl does the same turn, moves to the front of the stage, and then cocks her head to the next girl before continuing to walk back down the runway at the same pace and beat. I know Ashley picked the music because that’s what she does. As it nears the end of the song, the music seamlessly switches to “Sail” by Awolnation and the models move in time to the beat of the song. Again, as the heavy beats hit, the models hit their strides in perfect sync.

The runway has switched to purple with the change in music, and the overhead lights are now blue. The glow of the colors and movement of the models brings out the slightly haunting impact of the song. I’m certainly not a fashion expert, but I can tell the looks are sophisticated with accents of leather, fur and lace adding an edge to the clean lines.

I don’t think a single person, other than the models, has moved since the show started. The fashion along with the choreography and music is so powerful that I can’t turn away because I don’t want to miss a second of her creation. I didn’t understand why she wanted me here until now. She’s obviously a different person in business and that almost scares me, but I can understand why she’s proud of what her company does because this is awesome. The brand is sure to be a success with Ash’s company behind it.

When the third song goes into “Uprising” by Muse, the colors switch back to white on the runway and the purple glow above. As all the models start coming back out on the runway the entire room starts clapping. The models circle the runway again in perfect sync and to the exact beat of the song. The “victorious” lyric in the song is spot on, and I know Ashley is sending a message. They
will
be victorious with this fashion line.

Then Ashley and the designer emerge from the middle of the circling models. They’re holding their hands up together at the front of the runway. Ashley has changed into a gown that coordinates with the collection, and she looks even more stunning.

She still doesn’t crack a smile, but she does blow a kiss my direction and I know that’s big for her in front of this group. Ash and the designer walk back in to the middle of the models and disappear off the stage with the models following in a single line.

Everyone is on their feet and when the lights come back on the designer comes out for one more bow. He waves as he walks off and people start to move away from the runway. The buzz in the room is ten-fold what it was before the fashion show.

“Holy shit. That was unreal.”

I look at Fonz. He’s absolutely right. For two guys who know nothing about fashion, even we couldn’t look away from what was happening. “That woman is amazing.”

Lizzy makes her way back to us first. “Did you like it?”

“Like it?” Fonz asks. “That was freaking awesome.”

Lizzy’s smile is huge. I know she’s proud and probably was a big part of the planning. “You guys did a fantastic job,” I add.

“Thanks.”

I see Ashley walk back out into the main room, and I excuse myself from Lizzy and Fonz. The dress she changed in to is a cross between light blue and silver. It’s impossible to describe the color accurately, but it looks perfect on her. The long skirt is layered and the strapless top is fitted to her. “I didn’t think it was possible, but you look even more amazing.”

“Thanks.” She leans forward allowing me to give her a quick kiss. “It’s for my nickname in the industry.”

“Huh?”

“Ice Princess.” She runs her hand down the dress. “The color is to mimic ice.”

I’m not sure if she’s kidding, but based on how she carries herself and the way people practically trip over themselves to get out of her way I’m thinking she’s serious. “Really?”

“Yep.” She pops the ‘p’ sound. “When I first started working at the company I was trying so hard to gain credibility because I was the owner’s daughter
and
I was a young woman that I acted way tougher than I was. People said I was just like my father, a chip off the old block. So as I continued to grow with the company, I kept it up and eventually people started referring to me as Ice Princess.”

“Well, this certainly is a different side of you, but I don’t think I would say ice.”

She shrugs. “It is what it is, and it’s not worth fighting it. The most important thing is I get respect and instant authority in most situations. Who can argue with that in the business world?” She puts her hand out, and I take it. “There’s one more person I want you to meet and then we can head out. My duty is done.”

We walk back toward the entrance and everyone smiles and congratulates Ashley on the walk. People were definitely impressed with the show. It wasn’t just Fonz and me.

She walks up to an attractive older couple. Ashley takes both of the woman’s hands and leans in to give her a kiss on each cheek. I see her smile genuinely at the woman. She then turns to the man and hugs him while kissing him on each cheek too. When she turns to me, I see some of the Ashley I know. I’m curious to know who these people are to get such a warm reception from her.

“Mr. Conner. Mrs. Conner. This is my boyfriend, JC Williams. I’m sure you’re familiar with him, Larry.”

The man turns to me, his smile growing broader. I put out my hand and he takes it pumping it enthusiastically. “I certainly am. Pleasure to meet you, son.”

“Thanks.” I don’t know why but I instantly like him. I can tell he is important to Ashley, and I want to be part of that.

I turn to his wife and take her hand. I lean forward to kiss the back of it, and she places her other hand on her husband’s arm. “Oh dear, did you know there were still actual gentlemen out there?” She turns to Ashley. “Don’t let this one go. He’s a rare breed.” She turns to me and winks. Even though she’s married and at least sixty, I think I’m blushing.

“As you know, Larry, we have one of the executive suites at the park. I would love for you and Patty to come to one of the playoff games. We would also like to have dinner with you either next week or the following if you’re available.”

“You name the time and place, and we’ll make time, Ashley. You did a fantastic job tonight. This brand is without a doubt going to be the next big one. Your company is launching it with such perfection that there’s no way it can fail.”

“Thank you, Larry. That’s the plan.” She offers him a genuine smile. “Well, we’re going to head out. JC has a game tomorrow, so I don’t want to keep him out too late.”

The older gentleman winks at her, and I shake his hand again before we part. I nod my head and smile. “Mrs. Conner. It’s been a pleasure. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

Ashley takes my hand and heads for the exit. “I will text Lizzy on our way down. They will either meet us or I will send the limo back for them. Does Fonz need to get home?”

I look at my phone and realize it’s after ten already. “Yeah, he probably should.”

Ashley sends a text as we get in the elevator. No one gets in with us, and I trap her against the back wall. “You are amazing, Ash. That show was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Everything was perfection.”

“What makes you think I had anything to do with it?”

My mouth hovers over hers. “Seriously? I know that was all you, and I’m extremely proud.” I kiss her because I can’t hold back anymore. She moans in the back of her throat and it encourages me to deepen the kiss. I want her so bad that it’s nearly impossible for me to keep my hands off her.

I reluctantly step away from her when the bell rings. She checks her phone as we walk out. “They’ll be down in a minute.”

We walk over to her waiting limo and get in while we wait for Lizzy and Fonz. “I think they hit if off tonight.”

“Really? Why do you say that?”

“Fonz thinks she’s awesome. Lizzy may not agree, but I don’t think he would misread her that much.”

She smirks at me, and I know Lizzy has said something to her. “No. You’re right.” Her grin grows. “She thinks he’s pretty awesome too. I swear that wasn’t the plan. I just wanted Lizzy to have a date and someone who would treat her right for the evening. I knew that as your shadow, he had to have picked up some of your manners.”

I laugh. “I guess. But now what?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, what if two of your friends are dating two guys on my team? Does that concern you?”

She shakes her head. “Not at all. The guys are great, and I want my friends to be happy.”

I’m not as enthusiastic about the set-up as her, but this is her night and I’m going to let her be happy. I have no plans to argue about anything.