“That’s a wrap,” her father said some hours later.
The entire group cheered and congratulated Trihn on the success of her first official photo shoot. It felt incredible. All the models had photographed beautifully in her clothes. And with this, she hoped that she would have a fighting chance as a sophomore design major in such professional competition. If anything, she had put her heart and soul into it, and that showed through every product.
Her eyes sought out the one person she wanted to share this accomplishment with. But she didn’t see Damon.
“He’s out back,” Eric said, realizing who she was looking for.
“Oh. Okay. Thanks.”
“Hey, Trihn?”
“Yeah?”
“I just wanted to say that I’m happy for you. I know not everything has been smooth sailing, but I think he’s an infinitely better choice than Neal. He’s a good guy.”
She smiled. “I think so, too, but it means a lot to hear you say that.”
“Good job on all of this. Wish I could have been more help, but it seems like you have it all taken care of. I’m going to head out.”
“Thanks, E.”
He tipped his head at her and then started to leave with the models who had changed out of her one-of-a-kind designs.
Trihn headed out the back door and into the darkness beyond. She saw a silhouette of Damon with his hands in his pockets. He was staring out at the campus that was softly illuminated by streetlamps.
“We just finished,” she said.
He quickly turned around. “Hey. Sorry I wasn’t in there for the finale.”
She waved her hand and came to stand next to him. “Doesn’t matter. You were there for basically everything else.”
“Yeah.” He took a deep breath of the dry, dusty Vegas air.
“What’s up?” she asked, intuitively sensing a shift in him.
“I have some news.”
“Oh?” She swallowed hard. The way he’d said it didn’t make it sound good. “The stuff Chloe told you to keep your phone on for?”
“Yeah. Our song is going to be the opener for the new album.”
“Oh my God!” Trihn cried. “The opener?”
“It should release internationally in a week or two. Damon Stone featuring Chloe Avana,” he said wistfully.
“Your name is first?” she asked, confused.
“Yeah. The DJ’s name comes first and then the singer. That’s how it’s normally done, and Chloe insisted we keep it the same—not that it changes anything, except for the order.”
“Um…I think that changes a lot, Damon. You’re going to be the first artist listed on an internationally bestselling song. This isn’t just a couple of million YouTube views. This is it.”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“So, when do I finally get to hear it?” she asked.
“As soon as I can play it for you, I will,” he softly told her, still looking out into the abyss.
“I’m so excited for you. Why aren’t you more excited?”
“They asked me to be in the music video for the song.”
“That’s incredible!” she said.
But he still looked sad.
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head. “I guess I’ve just had such a great week with you that the thought of going back to LA is painful.”
“Oh.” She reached out for his hand, pulling it from his pocket. “But this is your dream. You want me to pursue my dream, and I want you to pursue yours.”
“I might have to miss the fashion show,” he said, wincing as he delivered the news.
Her stomach dropped, but she managed to hold it together. He had been there enough for her. She needed to be there for him.
“That’s okay, Damon.”
“It’s not.”
“Damon, look at me.”
He did as instructed.
“You are going to be in a music video for the debut single on Chloe Avana’s new album. You absolutely cannot be sad that you’re missing one fashion show to do that. I promise you, I will have other shows.”
He pulled her in close, holding her tight, and he rested his chin on top of her head. “I just want to be here for everything. I don’t want to miss a moment with you.”
“We’re going to have so much more time than this.”
“When all your dreams come true, you’re supposed to live happily ever after.” Damon kissed her forehead. “No one ever tells you what you have to sacrifice to get there or that your happily ever after comes with a world of different stresses you never imagined.”
“That’s the funny thing about dreams. They’re always better when you’re sleeping.”
“SERIOUSLY, HOW DO YOU have so much shit?” Bryna complained, hoisting another bag into the trunk of Stacia’s SUV.
Trihn shrugged. “It’s an in-case-the-world-ends assortment of things.”
Her hands were trembling, and she felt like a bug was coming on. Everything about today put her on edge and worried her. It was the big day.
“What if it sucks?” Trihn asked.
“You’re Trihn Hamilton. It won’t suck,” Bryna said.