Free Justice For Abby by Cate Beauman Page B

Lily’s problems.
    “Since I’ve never been one to fold, I’m going to do what I do best and use this latest development to my advantage.”
    A few people laughed while others cheered their encouragement.
    “I thought you might approve.” Lily grinned. “I’ve decided it’s time to work on a new cause very dear to my heart. It’s here among my friends that I announce the launch of Lily Brand’s latest line, the Escape line.”
    Abby set down her glass among the raucous applause, afraid she would drop it as Lily’s gaze met hers across the room, and her words sunk in.
    “I’ll be handing over this endeavor to one of my very best and brightest. She, along with our new product, will make their debut at Fashion Week.”
    “Who, Lily?” Jeremiah Jacobson asked. “Who’s your new designer?”
    She shrugged. “I guess we’ll all find out next month.”
    Abby’s heart pounded as she looked from Lily to Jerrod. “Did she just—I can’t—Jerrod.” She shook her head in utter disbelief, reaching for his hand.
    He laced their fingers, holding tight, while the room buzzed with speculation.
    “Do you know who?” Tyler asked Abby.
    She shook her head again. “I’m—I’m not sure.”
    “This is news to us,” Jerrod added.
    “I’ve never been more excited for Fashion Week. This should certainly kill Toni’s buzz.” Tyler laughed. “Leave it to Lily to use this entire situation...”
    “Yeah,” Abby replied with a small smile, still in the throws of shock.
    “How about some air,” Jerrod said into her ear. “We have about twenty minutes before we have to head to the airport.”
    She nodded.
    Jerrod helped her push back her chair, and they started toward the double-pocketed doors of the balcony, but Lily stopped them. “Heading out?”
    Abby’s eyes filled as she stared at the amazing woman before her. “Oh, Lily.” She moved in to hug her.
    Jerrod stopped her with a hand to the shoulder. “If you hug her now, you’ll kill the mystery.”
    “You’re right.” She took Lily’s hands instead. “How do I thank you for everything? How do I thank you for making my dreams come true?”
    “You kick ass, kid.”
    “Oh, I’ll kick ass…after the shock wears off.”
    Lily laughed. “And I want you walking the runway again as soon as the general here says it’s safe.” Lily stepped back, looking Abby up and down. “Damn, Abigail Harris, there’s not much height to you, but you sure as hell know how to make my designs come alive. Doesn’t she, General?”
    Jerrod nodded. “She looks lovely.”
    Lily snorted. “Lovely’s a little g-rated, but we’ll go with it.” She winked at Jerrod. “You could make a potato sack look like something everyone wants to wear.”
    She grinned. “Only if it’s designed well.”
    “Ha. We’ll go with that too.”
    Abby’s smile vanished as reality snuck back to amaze her. “Thank you, Lily.”
    Lily waved the gratitude away. “I’ve wanted to do this for a while now. Do you still have those clothes you wowed me with at your interview?”
    “Yes, of course. They’re hanging in my closet.”
    “Good. You’ll need to bring them with you to the shoot.”
    “What shoot,” she and Jerrod asked at the same time.
    “Connie Withers wants you for the March issue of Trendy .”
    Abby’s eyes popped wide as she absorbed the next surprise. “Nuh uh.”
    “She wants an interview and photo shoot showcasing the new line—or what we have of it so far.”
    Abby pressed a hand to her forehead, laughing in amazement. “You’re making this up.”
    “I’m sure as shit not. Nine a.m. Friday at the Trendy studios.”
    “I can’t believe this.”
    “They want to use you for several photos. Are you up for whatever they throw your way?”
    “Yeah. Yes. Definitely.”
    “Lily, Abby can’t do this.” Jerrod stepped closer to Abby. “Abby, you can’t do this.”
    Abby opened her mouth to object, but Lily cut her off.
    “Of course she can. The mystery behind