Trying to Score
Page 150

How in the world did Fallon get talked into this?
Fallon wasn’t a model, she was far from it! She was a just a mommy, with a mommy body and there was no way she was going to look good enough to make the campaign everything she wanted it to be. She also looked terrible in orange, or maybe she thought she did because she hated it so much, but there she stood in a short, lace-trimmed, orange dress, wishing like hell the company’s color was something else. Fallon moved a piece of her hair out of her eyes and let out a breath. She loved her hair in the big curls they did and she loved her makeup. It was pristine, and the big chunky pearl jewelry she wore was heavy but beautiful. The orange suede pumps were to die for and Fallon felt like a million bucks, but that didn’t keep her from being nervous. Not only did she have to worry about the color of her attire but she also knew that William was probably going to kill her before the day was over.
As she came out the wardrobe tent, Fallon met eyes with Lucas first but it was only for a second before she met her father’s angry gaze. William stood and came towards her as everyone moved around them, trying to set up Elli’s equipment. Fallon stood a little taller, hoping that she didn’t look as nervous as she felt. All William had to do was pull the plug and everything would be ruined.
“So you rewrite a campaign that your boyfriend won’t even do? What were you thinking? Didn’t you think that you should have run it by him first?” William asked sternly. He wasn’t yelling, but it was bound to come.
“I did what I thought was best. I would rather have had him make out with some girl than be pictured drinking,” Fallon said.
“I think that would be the board’s choice or his. He shouldn’t have volunteered for a wine ad if he doesn’t drink!”
Fallon took in a calming breath. “He is the best-looking man on the team; he was the best choice. We could work around his sobriety.”
“You made another bad decision, like always. When are you ever going to do something right?”
Fallon’s eyes filled with anger and hurt-filled tears. “I don’t know Dad, but I’m pretty sure when I do, you’ll be the first to tell me. Now if you will excuse me.”
Fallon walked away quickly, needing to get as far away from William Parker as she could before she started crying. She hated how much she let him get to her. It was sad that she thought that if she had done a good job with the campaign then maybe he would be proud of her. Didn’t she know by now that he would never be happy with her? She would never be good enough? It was a never-ending battle with him, and until she basically walked on water, he would never be happy.
Before Fallon could get far, someone took a hold of her hand. She turned to see that it was Lucas, and before he could even ask her what was wrong she collapsed in his arms, holding him like her life depended on it.
“Fallon, are you okay?”
She nodded against his chest, breathing in through her mouth and out through her nose. She couldn’t cry, it would mess up her makeup and then she would be put back in the ungodly makeup chair. Lucas’ hands came up to her face, directing it so she was looking up at him. “What happened?”
She shook her head, closing her eyes. “My dad is an ass**le. Nothing new.”
“What did he say?”
“That I basically messed up again, like always.”
Lucas’ thumbs moved along her cheeks and when she opened her eyes to meet his loving gaze, she practically melted in his arms, “I think what you have done with the campaign is great, now that we have the right leading lady.”
Fallon gave him a small smile before saying. “You just like me.”
He chuckled before meeting her mouth with his. He kissed her for so long and so hard, that she knew she was going to have to go back in that makeup chair, but she didn’t care. She would sit in that chair all day if afterwards her mouth could meet Lucas’. When they parted he kissed her nose and smiled down at her, “I may be partial but even Elli said that everything is amazing.”
Fallon nodded. “Well at least one out of the two people that matter is happy.”
“Hey, I’m offended by that. Me and Aiden are the only two people that matter, oh and Audrey, and we think you are amazing,” Lucas said with a goofy grin.
Fallon smiled as she leaned her forehead against his. “I just wanted him to be proud of me.”
Lucas’ smile fell as he kissed her lips softly. “I’m proud of you Fallon, I know that that may not be enough, but I am and I think your dad will come around.”
Fallon blinked twice before pressing her lips to his while her heart swelled with love. She loved this man with everything inside her, and she still couldn’t believe she was getting another chance with him. When they parted, she smiled against his lips. “It is enough.”
Lucas smiled as he hugged her tightly to him. “Come on baby girl, they are waiting for us.”
Fallon smiled up at Lucas as he locked their pinkies together and started for Elli. Elli watched as they came towards her. Her camera was in her hand and a huge smile on her face. A smile formed on Fallon’s face because that was the Elli she knew — the sweet, picture-taking Elli Fisher. Now she was the team-owning Eleanor Adler, and Fallon couldn’t have loved her more. Elli would forever amaze her and Fallon had never felt so blessed for their friendship than she did in the moment. If Elli wasn’t quick on her feet like she was, Fallon would be sitting in the dirt crying.
Just as they were about to reach Elli, Lucas looked over at Fallon and she smiled before he said, “By the way, you look hot in orange.”