I step back into line as Lucy talks to a few other girls, and on-brand for Sara Claire, Lucy seems a little unsure as she asks her, “May I?”

Sara Claire nods and Lucy touches her hair. “Bottle or natural?”

“Uh, a little bit of both?” Sara Claire says.

I’m starting to get the feeling that Lucy Mackenzie was not an easy woman to grow up with.

Once Lucy is done with her inquisition, she steps back down and whispers to Jay, who nods in agreement.

“Ladies”—Jay nods—“you all did a fantastic job here today, but here at LuMac, we always have a soft spot for rule breakers, so the winner of today’s runway challenge is Cindy!”

I straighten at the sound of my name as my hand flies up to my chest. “What? Me?” I won something! I’ve never even won an Instagram contest, and now I’ve won a Before Midnight challenge. I clap giddily while trying not to gloat.

A few of the other women pat me on the back, and sitting beside Lucy, Henry smiles widely as he tilts his chin down to congratulate me. Good job, he mouths.

I do a little curtsy in response. (Key word: little. This pencil skirt isn’t budging.) In this moment it feels so silly to be here with all these ridiculous games and rules when just last night we stood in the gift shop like two completely normal adults who weren’t pseudo dating via a reality television competition.

After we share a glass of champagne for the camera—this show will literally toast to anything—we’re instructed to get dressed in our own clothes so we can film a tour of the office with Jay and Henry.

We all wave bye to Lucy, none of us brave enough to actually approach her, and when she steps out the back door and into a black SUV, there is a collective sigh of relief from everyone. Even Henry. Especially Henry.

Upstairs, we’re led into a bright and open office with tons of real plants and a huge reception desk in the shape of the blocky LuMac logo with an LU running up the side of a very square M.

“LuMac is an independent brand, and while many have tried, Lucy has resisted the urge to merge with a larger conglomerate and maintains majority ownership. This independence is what sets LuMac apart, but it also means that every decision counts in a very big way,” Jay says as we weave in and out of workspaces.

Henry nods grimly and wraps his knuckles on a door with his name on it. “And this is my office.”

Addison lets out a dramatic Oooooo. “Genius at work!”

Miraculously, I don’t puke. As the group moves on, I hang back and peek my head inside. I don’t know what I expected, but this is not it. The office furniture is sleek and minimal with a bright white desk and ergonomic desk chair. A low-sitting midcentury sofa in a soft-looking camel-colored leather sits in front of the window. By the wall is a console with an old record player, and beneath that are crates full of records. It’s easy to imagine Henry sitting there on the couch, zoned-out during a conference call as he combs through the records. There are papers covering every surface and file boxes placed haphazardly all over. It’s the kind of office someone actually works in. On the desk is one single framed photo: little Henry on his father’s shoulders with his mom laughing hysterically as a wave crashes over the three of them.

“I would’ve cleaned first if I knew you’d be snooping,” Henry whispers, his voice tickling my ear.

I jump back a little and find my back pressed against his torso as the rest of the group turns the corner.

Instead of stepping away from him, I lean my head back against his chest and look up, allowing myself this indulgence. “It’s nice to know you actually work here and aren’t just cashing a check.”

His laugh is bitter as he presses his hand to the small of my back and guides me forward so that we can rejoin the group. “Trust me when I say I’m not cashing many checks here.”

Before I can manage to ask Henry more, he’s swiftly rejoined Jay at the front of the line.

We make our way up a stairwell as Jay explains that each floor is a different micro brand, acquired by Lucy herself, and that with the help of Henry, she’s created a mentor program to help each brand establish itself. Henry’s eyes light up when Jay explains the program, and I think it’s the most excited by LuMac I’ve ever seen him.

Once we’re done filming, Henry is swept away, and all the women congregate downstairs, where a small group of paparazzi and a few Before Midnight fans have gathered.

“Does this mean we’re famous?” Jenny asks.

Jay laughs as they sit perched on the counter. “Enjoy it while you can.”

I detach from the group and make my way over to Jay. “Thanks for the tour,” I tell them.

They smirk and hop down before tapping the tip of my nose with their finger. “I like you. Lucy isn’t so sure, but I like you.”

“Oh really?” I ask, crossing my arms under my chest. “Well, you want to know what I don’t like? Her size range.”

Their brows pinch together. “I’ve been telling her this for years. The future isn’t exclusive. It’s inclusive.”

“See. You get it! I love LuMac,” I tell them. “I always have. But I’ve never been able to wear it. Do you know how many people would flock to this stuff if it were available in their size? This isn’t just about politics. It’s good business.”

They shake their head. “Studies show plus-size consumers don’t invest in luxury pieces.”

“What the studies don’t show is the lack of luxury pieces being offered. Fat people want options. All the luxury pieces out there look like mother-of-the-bride dresses. Lucy has been on the first wave of major fashion moments before. Now isn’t the time to be left behind.”

“Oooooh,” they say, fire in their eyes. “I really do like you. I can see why you’re our Henry’s favorite.”

I fail to hide my annoyance when I say, “Well, maybe one of these days, he’ll actually pick me for a date.”

Jay smirks. “That boy’s a hard read sometimes.”

“Ladies!” Zeke calls. “Let’s load it up!”

“Thanks again,” I tell Jay. “I hope our paths cross again one day.”

“I’m betting on it,” they say with a wink.

Mallory and Zeke herd us out to the fifteen-passenger van waiting for us as cameras flash and what is now a whole ton of fans scream our names.