“They both keep people out. You wear yours like armor, and well,” she smiled ruefully, “sometimes I take mine off for the same reason.”
Val tipped her head. “Maybe it’s about finding a balance between the two.”
“Or figuring out who’s worth taking it off for,” Amber added. She grinned. “We are so deep.”
They both turned at the tentative knock on the apartment door. “That wouldbe Dylan.”
Amber greeted him and stood back to watch when Dylan, looking dapper in his tux, handed Val a corsage. He was tall and a little gangly still, but the way he looked at Val adoringly convinced Amber that Val’s night would end differently than her own ball.
Val was strong and smart, and she had Amber watching out for her if she needed anything. She deserved her own chance to make memories tonight.
“Hi, Ms. Hart,” Dylan greeted her next, looking a little more nervous. “You look very nice too.” But so charming.
They made a beautiful couple. She couldn’t have been more proud if she were Val’s mom. She snapped a few more pictures for Sandy and sent them off.
Time to get them out of here before she started sobbing.
“Okay, kids. Have fun.” She looked at Dylan sternly. Charmer or not, she had to say it. “Listen. I work for the mayor, and I will make your life hell if I find out you were drinking and driving.”
“No, ma’am. I won’t.” Dylan looked solemn.
Ouch. He ma’am-ed her. She really was getting old.
“Remember, I’m only a phone call away. I’ll have my phone on me all night. Call me if you need anything at all.”
"Relax, Mom,” Val said. "I'll be fine." But she leaned over and kissed Amber's cheek. "Thank you for everything,” she whispered softly.
Amber squeezed one last time before letting go.
The Grand River Hotelwas lit from within, reflecting the polished brass and crystal chandeliers hanging in the ballroom when Amber walked in. She had always loved the eleganceof the hotel.
When the girls were little and Annette was working downtown as a waitress and the tips were good, Annette would sometimes let them dress up and bring them to the Grand River for a fancy cup of tea. Amber had loved watching the elegant people coming and going from up and down the grand staircase and imagining herself doing the same thing one day.
Edward Sterling had spared no expense tonight for the Hope Gala. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the ceiling where hundreds of delicate faux doves had been suspended, the soft ambient light catching their silky wings and making them glow.
All the nights this past week sewing each one individually had been worth it when she saw the whimsical effect.
There was still a half hour until the event started. The room was full of servers and florists putting the last-minute touches on the tables. Towering glass vases held arrangements from Aunt Sophia and Aunt Giulia’s florist shop: white lilies and roses with greenery, tiny shimmery lights, and miniature silver doves. The entire effect was breathtaking.
The ballroom buzzed with that excited energy that builds before a party. Amber felt the anticipation too, only hers was more a tad more nervous than excited. Theo has assured her for weeks that the night was going to be a wild success, but she didn’t have his same confidence.
Truthfully, she was kind of in awe that she had even a little part in something this beautiful.
She stopped to chat with several vendors she knew before making her way to the elevator. Cheryl’s office was on the second floor, and she wanted to check in before the party started.
"Don't you look stunning," Cheryl said when she saw her in the doorway. "Is that designer?" she asked with an admiring eye.
Amber smoothed her hand down the slinky fabric. "No, I made it," she said, looking down at the beaded dress.
"You are so talented," Cheryl said. “The doves were a fantastic idea too. I think they add the perfect touch to the night.”
They talked about a few last-minute details, and when Amber turned toward the elevator to leave, Cheryl tucked her hand into Amber's elbow and led her to the ornate staircase leading down to the ballroom. “Everyone should walk down these stairs in a fabulous dress at least one in their life,” she said, patting Amber’s hand and leaving her at the top of the staircase.
The ballroom was full now. Music and laughter floated up from the ballroom below, and she scanned the floor, looking for a tall, darkly handsome man in a tux.
Aunt Sophia with Captain by her side stood chatting with Annette, who was elegant as always in a black Herve Leger. Amber spotted Charlotte in a stunning green ball gown with Johnny by her side in his Northfield Fire Department dress blues.
Todd, with his date, Anthony from the Red Lounge, stood by the bar chatting. She had fixed them up recently and was still patting herself on the back for another successful match.
