“Sorry, I need to go. May I see you after, Alexandra?” Sascha nodded and the woman smiled at her once more before walking away. Sascha watched her all the way until she had disappeared into the backstage area. Sascha let out a deep breath as she tried to digest what had just happened.
Did that gorgeous woman really just come and flirt with her? And why had Elmira never mentioned knowing a woman who was so obviously Sascha’s type in every way?
Her thoughts were cut short as the lights in the room dimmed and an announcer appeared on the stage to introduce the show. Sascha watched with polite interest as the music blared and men and women took their turns at stalking down the catwalk like dangerous beautiful predators.
She would be lying if she said she wasn’t trying to spot the woman who had spoken to her before the show but she hadn’t had any luck. Maybe she would be in the same part as Elly?
When Sascha heard the designer Atalia Tirtzah introduced, she perked up and sat up straighter in her chair, ready to support her best friend. She may not understand what she did but she was proud of her success and wanted to be there for her if she could.
As soon as she saw her she clapped loudly along with everyone else and as they briefly made eye contact Sascha gave her a smile and a thumbs up. Even she had to admit her best friend had presence and the right attitude to take a runway by storm, compared to the other ‘plus size’ models on display, she blew them all out of the water.
Looking closer at the clothes, she was sure Elmira would ask her about them after, Sascha frowned slightly. She was a little surprised by how normal they were for one, including jeans and t-shirts with a few dresses. Just as Elly had told her, everything had a design including a very distinctive looking dog. Why? Why would a designer create all these clothes based around a dog? Was she a crazy dog woman or something? Sascha really didn’t get how Elmira could have called her a ‘genius’.
There was a white summery looking t-shirt including the dog with a surfboard and blue stripes which she guessed, were supposed to be the sea, bright red shoes with dog faces on the front, there was even jewelry and accessories all with that very same dog.
The only design that Sascha could admit she liked was a black hat which Elly wore during one of her walks, with subtle whiskers sown on and little dog ears on the top. That was cute.
Sascha stood and clapped along with everyone else in the crowd as the show came to end and all the models returned to the stage. Her heart stopped when the models separated, leaving a gap in the middle of the stage, and the woman who had spoken to Sascha walked through them smiling widely and waving at the audience.
Was she really..?
Holy shit. She was Atalia Tirtzah. That’s how she knew Elmira and why Sascha hadn’t seen her as a model in the show.
Oh god the crazy dog woman was gorgeous. Atalia said a few words but Sascha couldn’t take them in, her mind too busy buzzing with the sudden knowledge it had acquired. It shut down completely when Atalia winked directly at her before exiting the stage.
Sascha was back at the bar with a second glass of champagne when Elly found her. She pulled her into a tight hug, congratulating her on the show and her excellent performance.
“Thanks Sascha! So I hope you don’t want to leave yet because there’s someone I want you to meet.”
Before Sascha could protest, Elly had taken her hand and was easily weaving her way between people and before she knew it Sascha was once again face to face with Atalia Tirtzah.
“Hello again Alexandra,” Elly’s eyes widened and she hit Atalia on the shoulder, looking betrayed.
“You didn’t tell me that you’d met!”
“We met shortly before the show.” She flicked her gaze up to meet Sascha’s eyes, “I’m afraid I didn’t get to properly introduce myself.” She held out her hand which Sascha took, “I’m Atalia Tirtzah and this was my show. What did you think?”
Sascha seemed to have been struck mute by the feel of Atalia’s hand on her. Her skin was so smooth and the silver rings adorning her fingers felt so cold against her. As their grip loosened and Sascha pulled her hand away she finally managed to say, “I don’t get it.”
For the second time that night Sascha wanted to slap herself. Why on earth had she said that? That was so embarrassing, Atalia must think she was such an idiot. Even Elly looked like she couldn’t believe that was what Sascha had chosen to say.
Atalia however, had her eyebrows raised and her eyes were shining with amusement.
“Oh really? What didn’t you get?”
“Uh…I’m sorry…I didn’t mean…”
“It’s perfectly alright, I don’t mind. Please tell me,”
“Well…why a dog?” Atalia giggled. Actually giggled! Sascha felt her heart melting slightly at the sound.
“Because I love my dog.” She answered simply. “And when I was having trouble creating, Fido Castro was always there and began to inspire me. You didn’t like it?”
“I didn’t say that!” Sascha was quick to establish, “I just didn’t understand the whole dog thing. I’m sorry, I’m such an idiot.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
Elmira was watching their interactions with a devious grin, “Sooo, I’m going to the after party with some of the other models. See you at home Sascha!” Before Sascha could stop her she was gone.
“Does that mean you’re free for me to buy you a drink?” Atalia asked her.
“Don’t you need to go to the party?”
Atalia shrugged her shoulders, “Not necessarily, I think I’ve found something I would much rather be doing,” Her eyes were dark and Sascha felt a red flush creeping from her cheeks and down her neck and the possible second meaning of the words, “Would you care to join me?”
“Yeah, I’d like that,”
Following Atalia out of the warehouse Sascha couldn’t help but thinking that her evening had gone far better than she had ever expected it to. She was going to have to thank Elly for that later.
“So you named your dog Fido Castro?”
Atalia’s answering laugh was music to Sascha’s ears.
Chapter 7
Elmira was still buzzing after the Atalia show; she’d met a good group of men and women in the changing rooms and they had bonded over being bigger than average in this industry. Most of the other models did this professionally but there were a few, like Elmira, who were merely fashion industry adjacent.
Kara was an underwear model who got most of her work in catalogs. This was her first runway walk as well and she’d been more nervous than Elmira. The blogger could understand that. After all tomorrow morning she’d wake up, write up her segment and move on. This was Kara’s life.
She’d spent most of the evening distracting her new friend which in turn distracted her from the fact that Sven hadn’t bothered to attend and Florica had also walked the runway. She didn’t even know why the latter thing bothered her.
Florica was always fluttering around fashion types ever since Elmira had known her. Of course she would walk a runway if given the chance. Elmira couldn’t help wondering though, why had she been given a chance? Was it because she might know some designers or had she gotten Sven to pull some strings? And was that why Sven wasn’t here? Was he avoiding having to ‘handle’ both of them at the same time?
Elmira hated that she was even having these thoughts but she really couldn’t help it. She snagged a second…or was it third? glass of champagne from a passing waiter and swallowed it down, barely tasting it. Kara had gone off to talk to some other model so Elmira was on her own for now.
That was until Florica slinked up to her, smarmy smile in place. Elmira firmly held back the sneer that wanted to blossom on her face.
“Florica,” she said wishing a waiter would pass by so she could snag another drink.
“Elly. I saw you walk. You did not embarrass yourself.”
Elmira couldn’t help the smirk, “Yeah. Thanks.”
Florica looked her up and down, he
ad tilted to the side, “Of course I was surprised that you had the gumption to even walk the runway given your tires and all but I guess you’re a braver girl that I would ever be. Why even with my svelte frame I was soo self conscious.”
Elmira just stared at her.
Florica didn’t seem moved by her silence.
“You know I was thinking while I watched you walk, ‘That girl isn’t afraid to make a fool of herself’…you know? I mean, I watched you chase after Sven Marcel the other day like some eager puppy…it was quite pathetic to watch. You know he’s way out of your league right?”
Elmira smiled, “And there you have it,” she murmured.
“Excuse me what? I didn’t catch that.”
Elmira breathed in deeply. The air was thick with smoke and fumes from all the different perfumes in the room. Also the foul stench of Florica’s bitterness befouled the air.
“Are you done?” she asked the other woman.
Florica shrugged, “I’m done if you are. I’m just telling you for your own good Elly girl, stay away from Sven. He’s out of your league. So far out you’re not even in the same galaxy. Okay?” Her hand reached out to pat Elmira’s shoulder but she shied away quickly, face like thunder. Florica whirled and flounced away like one of Cinderella’s ugly sisters. Elmira watched her go, steaming inwardly as she thought furiously.
Florica was clearly jealous as fuck of her. Why else would she give her the ‘the boy is mine’ speech? Now that she’d left, Elmira could think of about five choice things she could have said to Florica but too late. She turned away, suddenly tired. She wasn’t about to start fighting over a guy on a night where she had just achieved a new milestone in her life. She’d walked the runway at New York Fashion Week!
Fuck Florica.
Fuck Sven.
And Fuck Sascha too for abandoning her for yet another flavor of the night.
She was going to have a good night if it killed her.
*****
Elmira turned around and her nose was met with a pleasantly firm chest. She took a step back and glanced up. “Well you’re unfairly beautiful.”
“And you’re drunk,” Sven replied.
“I am completely drunk!” She exclaimed loud enough for the bustling party to pause in silence, before garnering a few strange looks from the other patrons. Sven was visibly trying to shush her, but Elmira leaned in conspiratorially towards him anyway with a cheeky grin.
“Tell you what though, I’ll be sober tomorrow morning and you’ll still just be as beautiful.”
Sven did not appear to be the slightest bit impressed.
“Is that from a movie? It sounds very familiar.”
“Fuck, you caught me.” Elmira pressed herself against Sven, staring up at him as they were pressed chest to chest.
“Okay, have you seen Sleepless in Seattle? ‘Cause I can also quote the fuck out of that.”
Sven sighed and pushed Elmira away gently by the shoulders.
“No, I don’t think I have.”
“Well, maybe you and I should watch it together some time,” she replied, completely undeterred.
“It sounds like you watch a lot of movies.”
“Sure fuckin’ do, ‘specially when I was still in college.”
The fashion blogger made a move to walk and stumbled terribly. Sven caught her before she could hit the ground.
Elmira gave him a smile. “Well you’re unfairly beautiful,” she said again.
“Yes, you’ve already used that one,” said Sven as he pulled her back to her feet.
Elmira visibly deflated. “Oh. I think I’m drunk.”
“Yes, completely drunk.”
“D’you know I walked a fashion runway today? I was on my Naomi Campbell tip. It was awesome. You missed it.” Elmira paused in apparent thought and swayed slightly. “Wait - ‘course you knew I was walking coz you organized Fashion Week.”
Sven shook his head. “I’m taking you back to your hotel, Elmira.”
“I’d watch movies when I was nervous or anxious; it was a good escape,” she said as Sven led her out the party’s front door. “Figured you also liked movies, what with Pretty Woman, Nikita, Trading Places - watched ‘em all, you know.”
Sven waved down a cab.
“Just thought it might give us shit to talk about.”
A cab slowed to a stop and Sven pulled open the door and nudged Elmira inside.
“Where to?” The cab driver asked.
Sven looked over to Elmira, expecting her to give the cab driver her hotel address.
Elmira flashed him a cheeky wink and gave the cab driver Sven’s home address instead.
Sven mentally went over a list of the least painful methods of rendering her unconscious, before deciding against it and sitting down inside the cab.
The cab took a sharp turn and Sven rudely found himself with an armful of Elmira.
Again.
Elmira blinked slowly. “Well you’re unfairly beaut-”
“Yes, I know,” he interrupted.
Elmira rested her head against his shoulder, her breath warm against Sven’s neck before she shifted slightly to mumble into Sven’s suit jacket.
“I fuckin’ wish I could just tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
Elmira was silent.
Sven elbowed her in the side.
Nothing.
Elmira had finally passed out.
Sven waited a few minutes, just listening to the sound of her breathing, before leaning his cheek atop Elmira’s head.
“Tell me when you’re sober,” he replied quietly.
*****
To say that Elmira looked hung over was putting it mildly. Sven watched as Elmira forced herself down the stairs, tugging around her eyes to keep them open as she followed the smell of breakfast. Elmira groaned.
“Please fuckin’ tell me I didn’t do anything too embarrassing.”
“Not at all, I assure you,” Sven replied from the kitchen.
Elmira slumped into the dining chair, noticing a tall glass of water next to some Advil tablets on the table. She quickly downed two pills between massive gulps of water.
“Fuck, you’re a lifesaver.”
Sven gave a half-hearted shrug. “Breakfast will be ready shortly.”
Elmira leaned into her chair. “Breakfast too? Shit, did I woo the fuck out of you or what?” She paused. “No wait, I can’t have, I woke up in the guest room.”
Sven placed a large plate of greasy food down in front of her. “Just eat something.”
“Alright, give it to me.”
Sven gave Elmira a confused look and lifted the coffee pot. “Did you want more coffee?”
“What?” Elmira shook her head. “No, not ‘more coffee’. How fuckin’ bad was I last night?”
Sven lowered the coffee pot. “I told you, nothing you need be embarrassed about.”
“Really? No confessions of undying love or anything?” Elmira paused at the odd look Sven was giving her.
“What? I’ve been known to do that a few times.”
Sven poured himself another cup of coffee. “Not once,” he replied after taking a sip. “Though I’m admittedly a little offended that I didn’t get at least one love confession.”
Elmira laughed. “I’ve not broken your heart too badly, have I?”
Sven sighed with apparent mock-sadness. “You most certainly have, but I’m sure I’ll learn to get by somehow.”
Elmira rolled her eyes and got up to move the empty plates over to the dishwasher. “You’re a dramatic jerk-off, you know that, right?”
“I prefer the terms ‘eccentrically charming.’”
Elmira looked over her shoulder and winked. “How ‘bout ‘unfairly beautiful’?”
Sven choked on his coffee as Elmira turned the dishwasher on and laughed.
Sven lowered his coffee down onto its saucer. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”
“I find that rich coming from Mr. ‘I-hired-you-caus
e-I-was-interested-in-getting-in-your-pants,’” Elmira replied as she closed the dishwasher shut.
Sven had to huff a laugh at that. “Touché.”
Elmira wiped her hands on the nearby coffee towel. “I’ll stop if it actually bothers you.”
Sven wasn’t entirely sure how to answer that. “I would appreciate that,” he replied, deliberately trying to sound vague.
It didn’t work. “Fuck, it actually does bother you?” Elmira tossed the coffee towel onto the kitchen bench and sat down in the chair next to Sven. “Why didn't you say? I’d have stopped flirting with you.”
“I-”
Elmira poked the side of his ribcage. “Sven, you know I love to wind you up, right? Best fuckin’ pass time in the world, but it’d kill me if it really bothered you.”
“The persistent prodding would suggest otherwise.”
If anything, Elmira continued to poke at his side even more consistently.
“Like I said, best pass time in the world.”
She glanced up at Sven. “You gonna tell me to stop or what?”
Sven sighed and caught Elmira by the wrist before she could land one more irritating poke.
Then with a firm push, he shoved Elmira off the chair and tried desperately not to laugh at her look of utter surprise.
“Okay…fun and games are over. I have a blog post to write,” she said.
“Feel free to use my office.”
*****
Phresh Out the Runway
Yesterday was a phenomenal day for me people. I got to walk an actual legit runway at New York Fashion Week.
I’m sure y’all have heard of Atalia Tirtzah right? The new ‘it’ designer with revolutionary looks; the rebel with a cause. Lover of dogs and women? If you haven’t then you should ask about her.
Anyway so she took a different approach to her show where she used ordinary women rather than models to show her clothes. I ran into her at the Reuben after party and she came up to me and said I was exquisite.
Me.
I almost squealed but my mama did teach me how to act so I just said thank you and smiled.
And then she asked me to walk in her show.
You're The One: BWWM Romance (Brothers From Money Book 12) Page 20
