Sammy in Italy (Single Wide Female Travels #2) by Lillianna Blake Page B

runway.” She lifted her head back up and looked at me. “Do you think that you can do that, Samantha?”
    I stared at my windswept hair. The stylist spun me around and stroked my cheeks with blush. She accented my eyes with eyeliner and mascara.  
    “Maybe.” I took a deep breath before the stylist set to work on my lips.

Chapter 16

    By the time my make-up was finished, my heart was fluttering with fear. I gripped my phone again. Should I call him? Should I ask him to come—beg him to come? The lights went dim.
    Alia grabbed my hand. “It’s almost time.”  
    “Don’t fall, don’t fall.” I whispered the command to myself as I took my position in the line of women that would walk the short runway. At least it wasn’t as long as a regular runway. I had less time to fall.  
    When the woman in front of me began to walk, my heart dropped.
    Alia gave me a light push from behind. “It’s your turn. You have to go now or you’ll throw off the entire flow.”  
    One foot in front of the other, Samantha, one foot in front of the other. Just do not fall! I kept my eyes trained on the audience. I heard the music, I saw the flash of the lights, but I did my best not to be swayed by it. When I reached the end of the runway, I mimicked the slight lunge and spin of the women who’d gone before me. At least I didn’t fall.
    I walked back toward the curtain. As I walked, I saw a look of horror in Alia’s eyes when she looked at me. The expression made my skin crawl. Before I could figure out why she was looking at me in such a way, the ground disappeared.
    In an attempt to make plenty of room for Alia, I’d walked dangerously close to the edge of the stage. Then my right foot walked right off it. I tumbled to the ground beside the runway—well, my body did. My head landed in the lap of a man who looked very frightened.  
    “I’m so sorry.” I looked up at him as I lifted my head from his lap.  
    Isabella rushed toward me. “Are you okay? Did you twist your ankle?”  
    “I’m okay,” I whispered. I couldn’t look at her. I couldn’t breathe.   I couldn’t think. If I did, the tears would start.  
    “Let me help you up.”  
    As I stood up, I saw the other models—professional as ever—continue down the runway without incident.
    Isabella led me back behind the curtain.  
    “Is the dress okay?” I looked it over in a daze. “I didn’t tear it, did I?”  
    “It’s fine. What matters is that you’re okay. Are you?” She searched my eyes.  
    “I think so—other than being mortified. I knew this was a terrible idea.”
    “Which is exactly why this happened.” Alistair stood just behind the curtain and stared at me. “That fear is what made you make a mistake.”
    “Or maybe it was because I’ve never walked this runway before. I was distracted by all the commotion, and I forgot that I needed to keep both feet on the runway. Isn’t that possible?” I looked at him helplessly. “I’m sorry about your show, but I’m just not cut out for this.”  
    “I disagree. I expect you to be here tonight for the show. It was part of our agreement. Can I count on you to be there?” He met my eyes.  
    Isabella grimaced as she looked over at me.
    If I didn’t show, it might cause her some serious trouble.  
    “Alistair, do you really want me there? After what happened today?”  
    “Yes, I do. I expect you to be there. A moment is just a moment, after all. What happens tonight may just be fabulous.” He smiled. “If you want it to be, that is.” He winked at me.
    When he walked away I thought about calling out to stop him. It would be best to let him know that I was not going to be there—to tell him while he still had time to replace me in the show. By the time I looked up, he was already out the door.
    Isabella rubbed her hand along my back. “It’s really not so bad, Samantha. Falls happen all the time. You’re not the first and you won’t be the last.”  
    “It’s not