Chapter 19
After drinks, Eliana made her way up to the rooftop terrace to get some air.
She was pleasantly tipsy but euphoric. This was her second year since leaving Milo–from the initial pain and confusion to now completely moving forward, she’d let go of that chapter and would never feel powerless because of him again.
The night breeze was cool, lifting her long hair as the city lights sparkled below like she was part of a beautiful movie scene.
Someone slowly joined her, settling against the railing nearby.
“Ditching your own celebration?” Nathan’s voice was warm, teasing. “Everyone’s wondering where the guest of honor disappeared to.”
“Just needed a moment. It still feels kinda unreal, you know? Like, did we actually just close another seven figure deal?”
Eliana’s eyes sparkled with genuine amazement at her own success.
“We absolutely did. And you were incredible in that presentation.”
Nathan watched her profile, unable to hide his admiration.
Two years ago, when she and Darcy had launched Lumina and recruited him at the pivotal moment, he’d heard whispers about Eliana Hart–the mysterious designer who’d seemingly appeared out of nowhere. He hadn’t been sure a startup could compete with established fashion houses, but her vision was so compelling, her determination so fierce, that he’d been drawn in completely.
Joining Lumina had meant witnessing Eliana’s transformation firsthand.
She poured herself into every design, staying up for days perfecting a single seam, obsessing over fabric choices 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 first featured their work. Or that night three months ago when they’d worked until dawn on the spring collection and she’d fallen asleep 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 she 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 harbor–until she decided if she wanted more.
They had all the time in the world.
Nathan glanced at the stars, though none burned as brightly as the woman beside him.
The breeze caught Eliana’s hair again, and she shivered slightly. Without thinking, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.
“Thanks,” she murmured, pulling it closer. The gesture was so natural, so intimate, that something electric passed between them.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them shimmered with possibility. Eliana’s lips parted slightly, and Nathan felt himself leaning
closer…
Then a burst of laughter from downstairs broke the spell.
“We should probably get back,” Eliana said softly, though she made no move to leave.
“Probably,” Nathan agreed, though he didn’t step away either.
They stood there in comfortable tension until the night grew cold enough to drive them inside.
The studio had sleeping quarters for late–night projects. By the time they made it downstairs, everyone had left, thoughtfully cleaning up the celebration chaos.
Eliana was definitely drunk–she rarely indulged, but tonight had been worth celebrating. Landing the Nordstrom contract had been a for Lumina.
Nathan guided her to one of the guest rooms, steadying her when she swayed.
changer
11.2
Chapter 19
“I’m not that drunk,” she 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 hair from her face, “I’m not going anywhere. Take all the time you need.”
Something in his voice–patient, understanding, completely 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 give someone.
“You’re too good to me,” she whispered.
“You deserve good things, Eliana. You always have.”
He started to pull away, but she caught his hand.
“Stay? Just until I fall asleep?”
Nathan settled into the chair beside her bed, their fingers still intertwined. “Always.”
The next morning, Eliana woke to the smell of pancakes and coffee.
In the studio kitchen, she found Nathan at the stove, hair messy from sleep, making her favorite breakfast. He’d learned all her preferences over the past year–how she liked her coffee, what foods reminded her of home, the little things that made her smile.
“Morning, sunshine. How’s the head?” He glanced over with a knowing smirk.
“Not as bad as it should be. You’re spoiling me.”
“Someone has to. You work too hard.”
The domestic intimacy of the moment wasn’t lost on either of them. This felt like something more than colleagues, more than friends.
Eliana turned on the small TV while waiting for breakfast, and a news segment caught her attention.
“Fashion Week Darling: The Rise of Lumina Studios and CEO Eliana Hart, Former Wife of Aviation Heir Milo Blake!”
Seeing the headline, Eliana felt a brief flicker of annoyance rather than pain. She hadn’t heard Milo’s name in months, and she certainly hadn’t expected her success to be framed through the lens of her past marriage.
When journalists had requested interviews about Lumina’s meteoric rise, she’d agreed proudly. But apparently, her achievements still couldn’t stand alone without reference to her ex–husband.
“You okay?” Nathan appeared beside her with coffee, noticing her expression.
Eliana smiled, realizing she truly was. “Yeah. Actually, I’m perfect.”
Because she was.
Her past with Milo felt like someone else’s story now–ancient history that had led her exactly where she needed to be.
