Of course, this one was turquoise.
In planning the Tranquility Ball with Alex, she had tried to come up with a life-affirming theme, and it only made sense the carpet should echo that theme. She loved the turquoise carpet. It stretched before them like a peaceful river, representing waters she no longer feared to enter.
She still had to make it down the carpet. Considering every news outlet in Nevada had sent reporters, ones whose cameras were flashing at an alarming rate, the task was daunting. She’d attended some charity lunches and the odd benefit concert, but none of those events had ever involved strutting one’s stuff on a length of rug, smiling for the cameras.
As their limousine approached the Fashion Show Mall, Dana whistled. The shopping area had been closed for the event and pale blue lights shone around the entrance, welcoming guests to the ball. On either side of the carpet, photographers stood at the ready. Tourists craned their necks, hoping to catch sight of celebrities.
It wouldn’t be hard. Alex had reached out to every VIP he knew and they had all come out to support them. Even from inside their car, Dana could see them up ahead on the carpet. Hollywood actresses posed with athletes and politicians. Everywhere she looked, she saw manicured hands on jutting hips, and perfect angles. These were people who understood how to work a camera. Several of them had stopped to talk to reporters about the foundation she and Alex had created.
The Tranquility Project was getting a lot of buzz.
Every dollar from tonight’s event would go directly to funding programs for those struggling with infertility and related diseases, and Dana couldn’t be happier.
She glanced at her date. Alex looked amazing. Clad in a designer tuxedo, his hair cut short and his face clean shaven, he outshone any of those people on the carpet.
He couldn’t stop looking at her.
He reached for her hand and kissed it. “You look beautiful.”
She’d splurged for the occasion, treating herself to a fancy updo and a strapless black gown. Although tight around the bodice, the skirt billowed with a design of appliqued red roses. It was the prettiest dress she’d ever seen and it made her feel like a prom queen.
Forget prom queens. She felt like a princess.
“I may have to wear this dress for the rest of my life.”
He leaned over and dropped a soft kiss on her cherry-stained lips. “There might be moments when I have to pry the dress off you. Do you think you can bear to let it go every so often?”
“Hmm. Let me see.” She kissed him again, sighing into his mouth. “I think I’ll manage.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
There may have been a time when she’d doubted her heart, but that time was over. She loved the man with everything in her and it only grew stronger every day. She knew it in the quiet moments, when he held her in his arms and played with her hair. She knew it when he trailed kisses down the length of her body, whispering in awe that she was the most remarkable thing he’d ever seen. To Alex, she was the woman he treasured. To her, he was just Alex, the man whose past no longer had control over him.
They still had bad days, of course, and the last year had been a journey full of triumphs and rocky moments. In many ways, they were both still grieving their losses, but they now knew they had a safe space in which to grieve.
She had finally caved and accepted a job with Alex’s company. By the time he made his third job offer, she figured she might as well stop fighting. He wasn’t about to give up. It made sense for them to work together and she was still doing the same sort of work, just from a different angle. Phil hadn’t been happy to see his protégée go, but he’d understood. She was thrilled to be part of the Vice team and loved getting visits from Alex in her cushy new office. Thank God the door had a good lock on it, because no one on her team needed to know what they got up to in that room.
A sturdy desk was a wonderful thing.
Dana wasn’t sure what the future would bring. They’d set a date and her family was now looking forward to another wedding, even Anise. In fact, Anise had accepted Alex wholeheartedly.
Hearing her sister had been held at gunpoint helped any old grudges dissipate.
Now she just had to discourage her sister from texting them all day long with her suggestions for flowers and tuxedos and wedding marches.
Life was good and she cherished everything she shared with Alex.
Dana knew the day would come when she and Alex would make a decision about whether or not to adopt, but right now, neither of them saw a need to make any changes. They were happy. No matter what the future held, they would embrace it together.
As their driver opened the back door on his side, Alex took a deep breath. Releasing it in a long stream, he stepped out of the limousine.
Photographers turned in their direction. There were flashes everywhere, blinding Dana as she took his hand.
“Alex! Dana!” Several paparazzi called their names.
One day, she would get used to his surreal life, but it probably wasn’t today.
