“Okay, let’s do it.”
“We’re gonna need two more models.”
“And … will I be pulling them from the sky?” she queries.
I motion for Sam and Hannah to come out and in walks Daria’s parents. Her mom is wearing a heather gray pantsuit Tanya designed with a peplum-style waist and a large faux fur neck scarf. Her dad is wearing a classic black suit.
Daria yelps in surprise. “Oh my God, Mom? Dad?”
Her mom is a little stunned at first when Daria shouts out to her, but Sam assures me that she’s doing okay.
This ranch is the place her parents got married. When Daria mentioned it by her pool, she didn’t give the specific name, so I’m sure she didn’t think much of it when she pulled up. The moment she said she was going to donate her and Tanya’s designs, I knew exactly where I wanted to have this photoshoot. It didn’t take me long at all to find the ranch near her house. There were only two options, and the owners were more than happy to help me when I told them what I was trying to do.
I thought having her parents take vow renewal pictures in something she designed would be an ideal ending to this photoshoot. A way to show her that she doesn’t have to choose between her parents’ care and her career. Their nurses have been integral in making sure that this would be okay for them, which is why I kept it a surprise in case things changed on the day.
Micah gives me a thumbs-up and a bright smile after we look over and see Daria holding back tears while in her parents’ arms.
After the photoshoot, Micah and I leave Daria with her family and head back to the house. We still haven’t figured out the next clue, but I think it’s time to give Daria and her parents their house back, so we’ll head to a hotel if need be. I’m prepared to physically fight Daria if she protests.
“Today was really incredible,” Micah says once we’re settled in the living room with the TV on.
“It really was.” Today reminded me of all the good parts of my modeling career. It reminded me how much I loved it.
“That was all you, Dani. You are … otherworldly.”
I’ve never seen this look on his face before, this wild excitement. His body is buzzing.
“I think you’ve got an adrenaline high.”
“I do. Because of you. Seeing you take charge and make that happen for Daria? She’s going to cherish this moment forever. You should be proud of yourself.”
Thank God the deep hue of my skin does a mostly decent job of hiding when I blush. I pull my pajama shirt away from my neck and force my eyes to stay on his. “Well, thank you. And thank you for being my fellow model today. I really couldn’t have pulled this off without you.”
His hand gently lands on my shoulder. “I’ll be whatever you need me to be.”
Something tells me he doesn’t just mean in this context.
Daria returns a couple of hours later, sighing dreamily, before she marches up and pulls me into a bear hug.
“Damn, are you Tanya? You’re squeezing me way too tight,” I joke as I struggle to breathe.
After she lets me go, she plants a big kiss on my forehead. “Thank you. Thank you both for today.”
“Of course.”
“I think this calls for a celebration.” She goes to her pantry and comes out holding a bottle of champagne and three glasses.
“Have you been saving that?” I ask.
“This was a gift from Tanya, so I thought it was fitting. She told me to hold on to it until I found my spark. If this feeling isn’t spark, I don’t know what is.”
“Did she say those words exactly?” My heart starts pounding.
“She said something like until I rediscover my spark, but same thing.”
I internally roll my eyes at Tanya’s lack of subtlety.Good one, Tanya.
“Well, then, yes, let’s definitely open that up.”
