“Plus, we’ve worn the clothes. They’re awesome,” Stacia said. She dropped one last bag into the very full trunk. “I think that’s it. Time to go.”
Trihn hopped into the backseat, and Bryna took shotgun. While Stacia drove, they blasted the radio on the way to the Vegas Strip where the fashion show would be held in one of the many glamorous ballrooms at Caesars Palace.
The girls had done their hair and makeup beforehand, knowing that they would be swamped with work once they got there. Trihn had decked them out in her designs, and she had to admit that they looked like a certified squad—the bitch, the slut, and the badass.
The radio crackled as the announcer came on. “Welcome back! We have a special announcement. A world premiere that just released. You’re hearing it here first. The first single off of Chloe Avana’s new self-titled album.”
“Turn it up!” Trihn cried.
Damon hadn’t let her hear the song yet. He had said that he wasn’t approved to do it, even while making the music video. He’d promised to let her hear it as soon as they were done. The song must have leaked before then.
Stacia flipped the switch, so the volume cranked to max.
“Debut artist DJ Damon Stone, featuring Chloe Avana. This is ‘We Never Met.’”
Trihn rocked back into her seat with her mouth open. Her heart beat fiercely as the song started. When Chloe’s vocals cued in, the girls all started dancing in the their seats.
“Oh my God,” Trihn said.
She knew those lyrics. She had heard them only twice before—once in a recording and once when Damon had sung them to her, acoustic-style, in his bedroom. This was her song.
Even though it was Chloe singing her song, it was still pretty crazy that there was a song written about herself on the radio. Plus, Damon’s backup vocals sounded amazing, and if she closed her eyes, she could remember him singing it to her.
When the song ended, Stacia turned the music down. “That was so good,” she said.
“It’s my song,” Trihn said, slightly dazed.
“Your song?” Stacia asked in confusion.
“Yeah. He wrote it about me.”
“And he let Chloe sing it?” Bryna asked, raising her eyebrows.
“Yeah, I guess. I mean, he didn’t tell me what song he was recording. When I asked him when I could hear it, he said when he was cleared for it. I guess it got leaked early or something,” she said.
“Suspicious,” Bryna said.
Stacia smacked her on the arm. “No, it’s not!”
“Sounds just like Chloe to me.”
“I’m sure it’s not like that,” Stacia said.
“Guys, I’m sure he has a legitimate reason for not telling me about the song.”
“Yeah, but what about this music video?” Bryna asked. “Aren’t the lyrics basically about finding his dream girl in a club? What are the chances that they made Damon and Chloe find each other in the club for this music video?”
Trihn frowned. She hadn’t thought about that. “I don’t know, Bri. You know Hollywood.”
“Stop freaking her out,” Stacia said. “Damon is a good guy. No one should be suspicious. His song is on the fucking radio!”
“I’m not suspicious of Damon,” Bryna said immediately. “Just Chloe.”
Trihn nodded. “Yeah, well, it’s his first single. I’m not going to worry about any of that until after the fashion show.”
They pulled into the parking lot, and a few of the volunteers came out to get the rest of Trihn’s equipment. Then, they sauntered into Caesars Palace as if they owned the place.
Backstage was full of senior design students who Trihn had been sharing studio space with for the four months she worked on this project. Models were running around half-naked with their hair and makeup in different stages of disarray. Designers were fluttering by, trying to fix issues and doing adjustments.
When Trihn made it to her models, Francesca had already organized the girls into groups. Hair and makeup was all but done. The girls just had to get into their clothes, and they would be all but ready to walk the runway.
“You’re a goddess,” Trihn said before kissing Francesca on both cheeks. “I could never thank you enough for doing this.”
“What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t help you in your time of need?” Francesca eyed the other designers’ work and raised an eyebrow. “And it looks like many are in some desperate need.”
“Okay, everyone,” Trihn said, rounding up the troops. “Once you’re finished in hair and makeup, please get into your outfit and line up in order. If you have any questions, please direct them to me, Bryna, or Stacia.”
The volunteers had placed the last of her designs on a rack, and girls started rifling through the bags to collect their outfits. It was less organized than Trihn would have liked, but as long as they were all where they needed to be, then it was fine.
About half an hour before the show started, Trihn was fixing a zipper on a girl’s skirt when Bryna snuck up behind her. “Hey, I have a surprise for you.”
“Wha—” Trihn asked through a mouthful of pins.
“I need to steal you.”
Trihn took the pins out of her mouth and finished the last stitch on the hem of the skirt. “I think that’s good. Let me know if it doesn’t hold up.”