Page 35 of Roses for Rosie

“The one and only.”

“Then, yes, you can help me. Or rather, maybe I can help you. I have a delivery for you from Mr. Adam Smythe.” He holds the envelope out to me. “He said you should read that first.”

I open the envelope and find a plane ticket to Miami with my name on it dated tomorrow and a letter. I quickly skim the letter, my jaw dropping further with each line.

Adam asks if I can leave Jamesville tomorrow.

He has purchased a ticket for me to get on a plane and fly to Miami.

He wants me to spend a few days with him at the beach before his next event.

He needs a date for one of the biggest parties the publishing industry holds every year and he wants me to go with him.

He misses me and says he can’t wait until the end of his book tour to see me.

I re-read the letter. As crazy as it sounds, it’s all real. Adam is sweeping me off my feet and whisking me away on a romantic vacation.

The man who handed me the letter clears his throat and I look up. In my shock at the contents of the letter I had forgotten he was standing there. He holds out the garment bag to me.

“Mr. Smythe said you would need this as well.”

I take the bag from him and unzip it to reveal the most stunning dress I have ever seen. It’s a dark red floor length gown with a deep swooping neckline and no back at all. I can tell just by looking at the fabric that it will move with me, flowing like water with each step I take.

“It’s gorgeous,” I say to the delivery agent. “It must be for the party.”

He nods, apparently oblivious to the fact that he just turned my entire world upside down. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at 8AM to drive you to the airport, miss.”

With that he turns and leaves. I’m frozen in place, not sure what to do first. I need to call Vivian to ask her for some time off. I have to pack. A trip to the food store to stock up on supplies for my father is a must. I wonder if I have any sunscreen at home. I should call Adam to thank him for inviting me. My mind whirls with the sheer volume of tasks to complete.

But first, I must try this dress on. The storeroom seems as good a place as any to change so I head back there. I slip out of the jeans and Nooks and Books polo shirt I am wearing and remove the dress from its hanger. The fabric is just as soft and silky as I suspected it would be.

The dress falls over my shoulders and slides over my hips like it was made for me. I smooth out the non-existent wrinkles and look down at myself. I couldn’t have found a more perfect gown if I had a month to shop and all of New York City to scour.

There is a mirror in the children’s section of the store and I can’t wait another minute to admire the gown. The full-length view is even more stunning than I expected. This dress is everything I could possibly want a dress to be and so much more. I feel beautiful, desirable, worthy of being Adam Smythe’s date.

“Hey, Rosie.” I hear Vivian’s voice coming from the back door. I didn’t think she would be here for another hour. I must have lost track of time while I was shelving books. I look down at myself and laugh imagining the look on her face when she sees me dressed like this.

“Hey Vivian,” I call rounding the corner and meeting her by the checkout counter.

She does a double take when she sees me. “Trying out a new uniform?”

“I thought it might class the joint up a little,” I quip.

She laughs and then walks around me in a slow circle. “That gown is spectacular. Where did you get it?”

“Adam sent it to me.” I feel myself blush, but I don’t even care. “He wants me to fly to Miami tomorrow to spend a few days with him at the beach and to go to a fancy party with him.”

“Miami? Lucky you! Vacation granted,” she squeals, giving me a shallow hug so she doesn’t wrinkle the dress. “It sounds like this is getting serious.”

“I’ve never done anything like this before. You really think I should go?”

“Yes, yes and yes. You must go. You’ve been cooped up here in Jamesville forever. It’s time for you to live a little.”

“But I’ve never flown anywhere before and I won’t know what to say to any of the important people at the party.”

“Planes are a piece of cake. Miami isn’t that far. You’ll be there before you know it and as for those people at the party, you just be yourself and they will all love you.”

“You really think so?”

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