Chapter 19
After drinks, Khana made her way up to th
to the roodop terrace)
are în gri some wir
She was pleasantly impry but euphoric. This was her second year since leaving Milo–from the initial pain and confusion to now completely moving forward, shund let go of But chapter and would never feel powerless because of him again
The nicht breeze was cool lifting her long hair as the city light sparkled below like she
e was part
of a beautiful movie
Someone slowdę jomed her, settling agains the railing nearby.]]
“Dachg your imm relebration? Nathan’s voice was war
was warm, teasing. “Everyone’s wondering where the guest of honor disappeared to“]
Jus needed a moment still feels kinda uneral, you know? Like, did we actually just close another seven figure deal?
Thanas eyes sparkled with
th grauine amazement at her own suce
“We aliselitely did. And you were incredible is that presentation“]
Nathan watched her profile, unable to hide his admuration.
Two years ago, when she and Darry had launched Lumina and recruited him at the pivotal moment, he’d heard whispers about Ellana Hart–the mysterious designer who’d seemingly appeared out of nowhere. He hadn’t heen sure a startup could compete with established fashion houses, but her vision was so compelling, ber determination so fire, that he’d been drawn in completely.
joining Lumina had meant witnessing Enna’s transformation firsthand.
She poured herself into every design, staying up for days perfecting a single seam, obsessing over fabric chudes until they were flawless.
When had he fallen for her? Maybe it was watching her defend their aesthetic to dismissive buyers. Or seeing her cry happy tears when Vogue Erst featured their work. de that night three months ago when they’d worked until dawn on the spring collection and she’d fallen deep on his shoulder.
By the time Nathan acknowledged his feelings, he was completely gone for her []
But he’d pieced together enough about her past to understand the needed space. He d never push, never demand anything she wasn’t ready to give. His job was to be her anchor, her creative partner, her safe harbur–until she decided if she wanted more.
They bad
time in the world
Nathan glanced at the stars, though none burned as brightly as the woman beside him
The breeze caught Chan’s hair again, and the shivered slightly. Without thinking, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.
“Thanks” die murmured, puting it closer. The gesture was so natural, so intimate, that something electric passed between them
The eyes met, and for a moment, the between them shimmered with possary. Eliana’s Lps parted slightly, and Nathan felt himself leaning closer…] Then a burst of laughter from downstairs broke the spell||
“We should probably get back.” Thana said softly, though she made no move to leave.
“Probably.” Nathan agreed, though he didnt step away either
They wood there in comfortable tendon until the night grew cold enough to drive them inside ||
The studio had sleeping quarters for Lar night projects. By they made it downstairs, everyone had left, thoughtfully cleaning up the celebration chans || Eliana was definately drunk–the rarely indulged, but tonight had been worth celebrating. Landing the Nordstrom contract had been a game changer for Lumen
Nathal guided her to one of the guest vocess, stratyling her when the swayed ||
I’m not that drunk,
- protested, even as she nearly tripped over her own feet
“Sure you’re not,” he laughed, helping her sit on the bed
She looked up at him with those luminous eyes, suddenly serious “Nathan you know I’m not ready for…”
“I know,” he said gently, Brushing a strand of ha from her face. “Tim not going anywhere. Take all the time you peed.
Something in Bis voice–patient, understanding, cumpletely without pressure–made her chest tighten with emotion. This was what respect felt like What it meant to be valued for who she was not what she could ghe neune ||
wire too good to me,” she whispered!
“You deserve good things Eliana. You always have
THE
brity her bel, then fingers itt internased. “Aboys=“”
(the stree, bait messy from steep, making her Evorite breakbet. He’d learned all her preferences over the past year–hiw
that made her unde:||
ther of them. This felt like something more than colleagues, more than ends
| TV wide wating for breaktast.
news segment caught her attention.]
umuna Studios and Crohn Hart. Former
Former Wife of Aviation Heir Milo Bla
headline, Dana teh a brief ticker of annoyance rather than pain, she had heard Milsame in months, and she certainly hadn’t expected her success to be
-lens of her past marriage ||
When journalbini had requested interviews about Lumina’s metrice, she agreed proudly fur apparently, her achievements still couldn’t stand alone without
reference to her a husband!
Nathan appeared bende her with cotter, noticing her expression
realinng she truly was “Yeah Actually, Imperfect“]
Her past with Ms felt kesme else’s stury now ancient history that had led her exactly where she needed to be
