The Next Line ( The Lineage Series #2)

Chapter 14

"Classic, elegant," she murmured. "With the right structure, it'll catch the light perfectly."

She turned to me, lifting a brow.

"Now, mija, let's talk design."

We went through sketches, discussing the fit, the silhouette, the neckline.

"Something fitted through the bodice," Luz said, sketching swiftly, "but soft at the bottom—like movement itself."

I nodded. "Nothing stiff. I want to be able to move."

She smiled. "A dancer's request. I understand."

She kept sketching, her pencil gliding effortlessly across the page.

"Would you like any embellishments?" she asked.

I thought about it.

"No sequins," I said. "Something timeless."

"Lace?"

"Maybe just enough to add detail."

She nodded approvingly.

Then paused.

"What about a slit?" she asked, eyes gleaming.

I blinked. "A slit?"

She smirked. "A woman should have mystery... but also power."

I tilted my head, considering.

Power.

Mystery.

Two things I never allowed myself to have.

The idea of walking into that gala, all eyes turning, knowing I was untouchable—

I smiled slowly.

"Make it high."

Luz was finishing the final touches on the sketch when

A knock on the door.

I knew before I even turned my head.

Before he even spoke.

Before I even saw that damn smirk.

"Working hard, princesa?"

I exhaled through my nose.

Joshuan leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, still in his workout clothes, hair slightly damp from his shower.

Of course, he looked effortlessly good.

Of course, he had to ruin my moment.

I shot him a glare.

"What do you want?"

Luz didn't even look up, completely unbothered.

"Joshuan, stop bothering her."

He grinned. "Not bothering. Just observing."

I rolled my eyes.

Luz sighed dramatically.

"You know, when you two were children, I thought Aurora would marry Diego," she mused.

I choked on air.

Joshuan's smirk disappeared.

"Absolutely not," he said flatly.

I lifted a brow. "Oh? And why not?"

Joshuan didn't answer.

Luz chuckled.

"You two always fought like this," she said, turning back to her sketch. "It's entertaining."

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"If you're done observing, Joshuan, you can leave now."

He tilted his head, eyes flicking to the sketch of my dress.

A low hum.

"You're really going all out, huh?" he mused.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Obviously."

His gaze lingered on me for a second too long.

Then—

A smirk.

"Well, if you need someone to escort you..." he trailed off, smirking.

I scowled.

"I have a date," I snapped.

His smirk dropped slightly.

For a second.

Then—

A chuckle.

"Ah, right. Preston."

He said his name like it tasted bad.

I lifted my chin.

"Yes. Preston."

Joshuan rolled his shoulders. "Should be an interesting night, then."

I hated the way he said it.

Like he knew something I didn't.

Like he wasn't bothered at all.

I refused to let him see how much he got under my skin.

So, I turned back to Luz.

"We were in the middle of something," I said, ignoring him.

Luz, ever the peacemaker, simply nodded.

"Yes, mija." She smiled. "We were."

And just like that, Joshuan was dismissed.

He huffed out a low laugh, then pushed off the doorframe, walking away.

But just before he disappeared—

He glanced back at me, his voice low, teasing.

"Try not to trip on your way down the stairs, princesa."

I grabbed a fabric swatch and threw it at his head.

He dodged it effortlessly.

But for some reason I couldn't help but smile.