Page 94 of Free to Believe
I certainly did that, I think somberly as I watch her bounce as best as she can while she calls Dani back.Forget the music, Jenna. I stupidly gave up the only thing you need to make life worth anything.
Love.
58
Emily
It’s close to ten and I’m still at the office sewing away. The finale dress is taking shape. Even I’m starting to feel a modicum of excitement.
“Jesus, Em.” Holly whistles as she walks around with her camera. “It’s devastating. I don’t even know that photos can do it justice.”
I’m too busy swallowing to reply. Once I finally can, I give her a tired smile. “The construction has been a bitch. But it will be worth it.”
With a bark of laughter, Holly moves over to my work table where I’ve constructed thousands of miniature amaryllis flowers out of organza and crystal. Lifting her camera, she takes a picture of the pile to immortalize the journey of how I sweat blood and tears on the way to Fashion Week. “Do you feel any different making this dress?”
I think about the question. “Part of me feels like I’ve been playing my designs safe.” Looking at the creation in front of me, I snicker. “No one can say that about this dress. Hell, about the entire collection.”
“Where’s the rest of it?”
“At Keene and Ali’s in the city.” I didn’t want to bring them back here when I’ll be moving into their place for the foreseeable future as soon as I’m done with the monstrosity in front of me.
Holly lowers herself into the lounger while I pull on white gloves to protect the dress as I attach each individual flower. I refuse to allow a single imperfection to mar the thread, the flowers, or the delicate fabric underneath. Threading the needle efficiently, I affix the next flower in the cascading waterfall from the deep V in the back.
When it’s done, the dress will look like a woman ran through a field of flowers—amaryllises to be exact. My model will be covered from head to midthigh in the tight little buds. The twenty-foot train, which starts at her shoulders, will give the impression of floating flowers that are flying off her body as she runs away.
This isn’t just a dress. For me, it’s a statement of war against whatever curse is being held over me. It’s a battle for my life. It’s a fight to not drown in my grief. It’s the determination to not lose myself in the demons that constantly plague me.
There’s no choice anymore but to believe I will win.
Holly’s talking, but I miss what she’s saying as I’ve been robotically adding flowers to the behemoth of a dress. “Sorry, love. What was that?”
“Who’s modeling the dress?” Holly asks again.
I shrug. “I don’t know. I have to do casting auditions next week.”
And then I hear a voice I never expect to from the door. “How about I give it a try? It looks about my size?”
Turning, I openly gape at Dani Madison as she walks into my workspace unannounced. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“I come bearing all kinds of interesting news.” Using her critical eye, she walks around the dress. I find I’m surprisingly nervous. Forgetting who she is to Jake, Dani is still one of the world’s greatest supermodels. Even a kind word of hers after the show would solidify my standing in the community. “Jesus, Em. You’re a genius.”
My breath comes out in a whoosh.
Dani walks around the dress again. “I came in on the tail end of your conversation. You know, I’d be honored to walk the runway wearing this dress.”
I’m blown away by the offer, but I’m realistic. She’s only offering because of what happened with Jake. Remembering our bet, I can’t accept the pity. “Just because Jake and I aren’t…”
“Jake has nothing to do with this, Em,” she states calmly. “This has everything to do with staking a claim on you before some other model has the chance to do so.” Tossing me a wry glance, she continues. “After next week, you’re going to be inundated. I’m using our friendship to plead my case.”
I’m overwhelmed with the emotions coursing through my system. Between the devastating end to my relationship with Jake, finding the ability to pull from the dredges of my soul to develop this collection, and now this praise, I suddenly feel a tidal wave coming.
I just don’t want anyone to see it.
“Then come back in three days. I’ll have the rest of these attached, and we can do last-minute adjustments.” My voice is gratefully cold.
Reaching for another flower, my back is to Dani when she says to Holly, “Can I talk to Em for a moment alone?”
Shit. The crystal-accented bloom in my hand starts to shake. I just know this is going to be about Jake. I’ve managed to pull the ice princess mask back on successfully. Hell, Corinna’s even been talking to me about setting me up with a guy she used to date. For the last few weeks, I haven’t let it slip. I know it will if Dani merely says his name.
