“Shh.” I hold my finger up to my lips. “I don’t want to jinx Alec’s proposal. He’s been a little weird lately and I know he’s nervous about making this commitment.”
“He’s crazy if he doesn’t know that you’re the best thing that’s happened to him.” Jess rolls her eyes.
Jess and I have had this conversation before. Many times.
“Of course. We’ve been through a lot. Me starting my label and Alec getting through law school, now he’s working long hours at the firm. But, I think we’re finally ready to take the next step.”
“Let’s put Alec on pause right now. This is about you and your hard work.”
“Everyone on the team’s hard work.” I interject.
“Right, but without you there is no Emma Belle Bridal, so get moving, missy.”
Jess swats at my butt to shoo me back toward the stage where I make it just in time to watch the first model step out onto the runway.
The venue is lit up with soft white lights that bounce off the shiny pink runway. The music which is a classic bridal song remixed with an upbeat dance song sets the perfect tone for the sophisticated, yet flirty gowns I have designed. While this isn’t my first collection, it’s the first that I’m showing to the world. My fingernail finds its way to my mouth automatically. It’s a bad habit that prevents me from keeping a decent manicure. Alec thinks it’s gross. I’m glad I never told him that I used to bite my toenails as a kid, he’d likely never kiss me again. Speaking of Alec, I pull my gaze from the runway to scan the audience. It’s packed. Every seat is filled, which makes my stomach flip with nervous excitement. But, I don’t see Alec. He might be running late or just slipped in and is watching from the back.
I do see the buyers from Bloomingdales and Bergdorf’s. I watch anxiously as they point at the model walking by, then furiously write something down on their notepads, eyeing each other suspiciously before turning back to watch the next model advance. While I have always enjoyed designing custom pieces, and I have for some friends and social acquaintances, I love the idea of my gowns being available to the masses to shop in department stores and bridal boutiques across the country.
Speaking of being across the country, I’d hoped Alec would fly in yesterday and spend this exciting day with me, but he was sure he’d be in the way and I’d be busy with the show and the other events going on at the bridal convention. I’m straining to look for him when I realize that the show is nearing the end. Jocelyn, the model that I stitched into her dress, is the last one ahead of me. It is a bit funny to realize that the months and months of hard work have been for this two minute and twenty-six second show.
When Jocelyn makes her way back down the runway, the parade of models goes out again, and this time I follow. The audience is on their feet. At the sound of their applause, a wave of emotion hits me. It’s beyond thrilling to be following models down the runway that are wearing my designs. I nervously tuck a strand of my shoulder length hair behind my ear and step out into the lights. My gown might be a tad much for my neutral makeup and casual hair, but the gorgeous vintage gown fits like a glove and gives me a boost of confidence as I attempt to stay upright on this shiny stage.
The audience applause is deafening and the lights are blinding but more than that, it’s hard to take it all in while I’m scanning again to see if Alec is here. I smile and wave, noticing other familiar faces. My mom and dad weren’t able to make it, their work schedules too busy, but my cousin Barrett and his fiancé, Chloe, wave and cheer from the front row. That’s when I see it. My stomach drops. I had been wrong. There is one empty seat in the audience. The one I had reserved for Alec.
I smile through the let-down, hoping he was just late and watching from the back. After all the law firm events and corporate dinners I’ve attended with him, I was certain that this moment he would show up for me, so I’m trying not to lose faith.
The models finish their lap around the runway and I give a final wave and blow a kiss to the still cheering audience before disappearing back stage. My heart beating with excitement, I watch the models embrace each other, smiling and laughing. I take a breath trying to calm down from the adrenaline rush of it all.
I want to focus on the moment, soak it all in, but I’d been sure that Alec would show and there’s nothing I can do to fight off the wave of disappointment. There’s a heavy feeling in my gut as I rummage through my purse and pull out my phone. There’s one missed call and one voicemail. I immediately hit play and hold the phone to my ear.