Page 22 of Paper Hearts & Plot Twists

“We might be able to find something suitable,” Miles said, though looking at her current outfit, that didn’t seem likely.

Emily kicked her boots off, and rolled on the bed, facing away from Miles. “It’s okay,” she said, though her voice sounded anything but okay. Miles shifted from foot to foot, not quite sure how to handle the situation, but knowing he despised this and wanted to fix it and make it better. He grabbed his phone and stepped into the hallway. He had some phone calls to make.

Chapter 16

The room was dark, lights dimmed to a faint glow, as Emily watched her favorite movie on the TV. She leaned against the headboard and giggled as Vanessa Hudgins tumbled off the horse in the romantic comedy, Princess Switch. She jumped when the hotel room door opened and Miles walked in, arms loaded with a giant white dress bag.

“I thought you headed out to dinner already,” Emily said. “It starts pretty soon, and you seem like the punctual type.”

“I very much am the punctual type,” Miles responded. “But I had to get some things together so I could help my roommate come to the dinner with me.”

Emily stared at him, blinking. “Your roommate? Me?” She glanced over at her suitcase, where her comic con outfit was still sitting. “I’m not going to a formal dinner with you in a silly costume. You go enjoy dinner, and I’ll enjoy my cheesy movie.”

“No can do,” Miles said. He sat down on the end of the bed, making Emily bounce on the other end. “Besides, you’re not wearing the costume, you’ll be wearing this formal dress.” He held up the white bag.

Emily stared speculatively. “How would you come by a formal dress?”

“I have my ways,” Miles teased. His “ways” was reaching out to some of the other authors attending the event who looked about Emily’s size for extra formal clothing they’d be willing to part with. It took a while, but eventually he found someone who fit the mark. He had to agree to read her latest book and give an editorial review of it, but that was a small price to pay.

Emily ran her hand along the plastic encasing the dress. It crinkled under the pressure. She looked back up at him, and he nodded encouragingly. “Go on, take it and try it on. I want to see if it fits!”

After seeing Emily this morning, he had no doubt this would be a perfect fit. She pushed herself out of bed and accepted the offered bag. Miles checked his watch. Twenty-five minutes until dinner. They’d be cutting it close, but as long as Emily didn’t take too long, they’d be able to make it. Thankfully the dinner was in the same hotel, so they didn’t need to travel.

“I can’t accept someone else’s dress,” Emily murmured, though she kept a hand on the plastic bag, stroking the smooth surface. “What if I spill wine on it?”

“If you spill wine on it, I’ll get it dry cleaned, and it will be fine,” Miles said. He reached out, palm up, for Emily to place her own in his. She set her hand in the outstretched one before her, and he pulled her toward him. Her body pressed against his, her face a scant few inches from his. “Now hurry and get dressed so we can get some food together.”

“I don’t know what to do at a formal dinner,” Emily said, hunching her shoulders into herself and glancing down at her hands.

“I’ll be with you every step of the way. You don’t have to worry about what to do because I’ll be there,” he promised.

“Alright.” A hesitant smile broke over her face. She grabbed the bag and skipped into the bathroom, her body displaying her excitement.

Miles leaned against the wall outside of the bathroom and checked his watch, waiting for Emily to finish dressing. He grinned as he heard her mumble curse words, the clatter of makeup echoed from the confined space. He was sure she was messing with her hair and makeup, as women always did when they were getting dressed. He was glad he was born male and didn’t have to worry about things like that.

Miles turned his attention to the door and let out a wolf whistle as she exited, causing Emily to flush a deep red and smile as she twirled, her eyes alight with life.

The only time Emily had ever dressed “fancy” had been senior prom, and even then her dress had been nothing to write home about. Her uncles did their very best raising her, but spending hundreds on a dress was far outside their budget. She’d chosen a simple mid-thigh sapphire dress with spaghetti straps that was on clearance for twenty dollars.

Compared to that experience, Emily felt like an absolute princess tonight. She couldn’t imagine what Miles’s author friend was wearing if this dress was an extra. The floor-length halter-style navy gown sparkled and shimmed in a pearlescent glow. The plunging neckline made her feel like her boobs were bigger, and the back dipped into a deep V, accentuating her assets. At the bottom of the bag were shoes to go with the gown, four-inch strappy heels. They were a shimmery silver and looked like a death trap, but a better option than anything she’d packed. Emily felt like a princess as she slipped them on. She didn’t know how he did it, but they were the perfect fit.

Thankfully, Emily didn’t have to worry about hair. It had been a part of her spa experience and she felt that what they’d done was better than anything she’d be able to muster in ten minutes on her own.

She didn’t think she could ever best that particular look. She felt like more than a princess. Tonight, she was a goddess.

“You look stunning,” Miles said, staring at Emily from head to toe. “And you were planning on skipping out on dinner?”

Emily shook her head at the ribbing that reminded her so much of how her uncles reacted to situations. Miles held out an arm and Emily placed her hand on his, letting him lead her toward the first evening event of the conference.

Chapter 17

The ballroom was stunning, decorated in a classy valentine look of reds and pinks subtly accenting the pristine white and silver room. Each table was centered with a large bouquet, while the dessert buffet table had a flower line running the entire length. The tables were beautifully set with crystal glasses, shining silverware, fancy folded napkins, and beautiful silver seats to match the tables. Toward the front of the room a harpist played as a violinist and pianist sat preparing for their performances.

“So elaborate,” Emily murmured, staring in wide-eyed fascination at the scene surrounding her.

This conference was one of the largest in the country, and one of the most sought after by attendees; the event organizers went all out for it. Emily imagined it in some fancy wedding magazine or on a rich person’s reality TV show. Is this what a Kardashian wedding would be like? Normal people definitely didn’t live in this much luxury. She remembered her uncles’ wedding, the simple backyard affair with flowers they’d picked and arranged themselves, and chairs borrowed from one of the local churches. The difference was mind-boggling and absolutely beautiful. She snapped a few pictures of the room to show them where she was having dinner. They’d share the joy with her.

“We’re seated this way,” Miles said, gently guiding her to the side of the room. Emily forced her attention away from the decor so she could pay attention to where she was going and not have to deal with the embarrassment of tripping in front of all of these people.

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