I drained my champagne glass before placing it in the holder. “Am I going to blessed by the limo fairy?”
She laughed. “Maybe. It’s just… I still have faith in you. I’m also making sure that your mother hasn’t gotten to you since you’ve been home. Please don’t listen to anything she has to say… unless it’s positive.”
I sighed. “Thanks. I’m trying. Anyway, at least I’m out of her house. I’m seeing how long I can go without seeing any of them. So far, it’s three days and counting.” Which wasn’t easy in a town the size of ours. I saved up my bathroom breaks at work so I could duck away as soon as Mom or Brandy came in.
“You deserve all the good things, Faith.” Her eyes shone with love, and my eyes watered. As shitty as some things were, I’d lucked out big time in the friend department. Amy was my found family, and I didn’t want her worrying about me.
I sat straighter and gave her a small but genuine smile. “I’d be happy with a regular marketing job. But in the meantime, I’m determined to get on with my life… on my own terms. Men can’t be trusted to respect me the way I deserve, so I’m going to respect myself. Anyway, it’s not as bad now I’m in the new apartment.”
Hmm, new was a generous way to say it. Old, filthy, and small were better descriptors. I’d spent two days scrubbing it clean before I moved a couple of thrift finds into it—a small, round dining table and two chairs. I’d dipped into my savings and bought a new single mattress because it was cheaper than a double, and it wasn’t like I was ever going to share it with anyone. I was still looking at second-hand bedframes and couches, but I was sure that I’d have that all sorted in the next few weeks. A couple of houseplants would make it feel homier too. I figured that eventually, the cat-pee smell permeating the living room would fade. But even that was better than living with my mother and her preferred family.
“I can’t wait to visit you.” Her smile was genuine, but it contained something I couldn’t quite pin down. Was it hope? if so, I had no idea what for. Maybe for me healing, getting my shit together, and returning to the city. I didn’t have the heart to tellher it was probably never going to happen. It would take a while, but eventually, I’d become content with a life in Braidesville. Amy took my hand and squeezed it gently. “I only want the best for you, and I love you. Never forget that, okay?”
I smiled. “Love you, too, Ames. Thanks. Honestly, you’ve been the most amazing friend to me, and one day I’ll repay you.”
She shook her head and gave me a stern-mom look. “You don’t owe me anything, missy, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll let you know when you can pay me back.”
I chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”
The limo pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. Kayley’s eyes shone with excitement. “Eek, we’re here. Let’s do this.” The driver opened the door, and Kayley grabbed a black, plastic folder—probably containing Amy’s acceptance speech—and got out. Amy and I followed. I shivered, my halter-neck dress no match for the cool spring night.
Kayley stepped up to a five-story, late 1800s brick warehouse, the multi-paned black-framed windows on levels four and five filled with a happy yellow glow. A red carpet started at the bottom of the three stairs and continued into the foyer. A doorman dressed in a black unform with gold buttons gave us a nod. “Invitations, please.”
Fancy schmancy.
While Kayley produced the goods, I looked down at the satin, floor-length, emerald-green gown hugging my curves. Thank goodness Amy and I were the same size, or I would’ve felt so out of place. I didn’t own a dress that would fit in at an event like this. Lucky for me that I never had to attend any. It was a good thing that I wasn’t with Curtis because I would’ve had to accompany him to some. How horrible it would be to see him in a tux, having his arm around me, his smile radiating as he looked down at me adoringly. Totally gross. I don’t know how I would’ve coped.
“Faith, hello? Are you going to cheer for me from out here?” Amy stood just inside, peering at me.
“Oh, sorry. Just admiring how pretty the building is.” It had loads of character, the type of building Curtis would love.Stop thinking about him! I kicked my pointy-toed, nude heel into the side of my own shin.Ouch. The doorman gave me the side-eye as I walked past. I’d be the weirdo he’d tell his friends about later.
The elevator took us to the fifth floor. Animated chatter and the floral scent of expensive perfume washed over us as the doors opened to a huge, double-height, rectangular room. I stepped onto the oak floor and admired the thick, exposed wood beams that supported the roof’s metal skeleton. Fairy lights floated along the beams, adding their dainty illumination to the evenly spaced, copper pendant lights that hung in two rows down the length of the room. The walls on either side of me were bare brick, and the far wall was painted white, framing the black windows and city lights beyond. It truly was a creative’s wonderland.
Amy’s eyes were wide. “Wow, this is gorgeous.”
Despite its size, the enormous space was still cozy. Maybe one day I could afford a tiny version of this in another place, something just big enough for a desk, a chair, and coffee-making facilities. Joy at being in this atmosphere unfurled in my chest. I would get there one day or die trying.
Halfway down the room, a small stage was set up to our left. Many round tables, each set for dinner for eight people, faced the stage. Most people were already seated. It seemed as if we were late.
It was hard to tell in the dim light, but a couple of people seated in the middle of the room looked familiar. I couldn’t place them, but I didn’t have time to figure it out because Kayley said, “Come on.” She grabbed Amy’s hand and Amy grabbed mine. “We’re sitting at the front.” Kayley must’ve been sent the seating chart earlier.
As we weaved through the gaps between tables, Amy asked me to give her a makeup check.
“Nothing’s smudged. You look stunning and photo ready. Although, I’ve never noticed that huge wart on the end of your nose before. How long have you had that?”
She laughed. “Not as long as you’ve had that terrible sense of humor.”
“Here we are.” Kayley sat and indicated I should sit next to her. Amy elegantly slid into the seat next to me.
I turned to her. “Shouldn’t you be in the middle of us?”
“No. Why?”
“Well, Kayley’s your assistant. It’s your night. You should be surrounded by your posse.”
She waved a dismissive hand. “This works. Look, that’s your nametag.”
Sure enough, the black card in the middle of the gold-rimmed entrée plate had Faith Emery in gold lettering across it. “I guess it’s set in stone, then.”
