Page 92 of Last First Date

I was led through a comfortable and stylish lounge filled with plush sofas, aromatic candles, and soft music. It was an oasis of tranquility in what felt like a storm of emotions for me. Amelie guided me to a chair in front of a large mirror. I sat down, excited.

“We’ll start with a relaxing facial,” Amelie said as she warmly smiled at me through the mirror. “And then we’ll move on to your hair and makeup.”

I breathed out a soft, “Thank you,” to her, letting the reality of it all finally start to sink in. I was really here, about to be pampered like a star before the grand event, all because of Knox. His thoughtfulness was overwhelming.

Two hours later, I felt glamorous. I went back to my room, eager to put on the dress. As I slipped into the dress, its smooth fabric covering me in cascade of crimson, I felt a transformation. The stress of the preparations all faded into the background.

I stood in front of the mirror and had to look down to make sure it was actually me I was seeing. It was a version of me I hadn’t seen before. The events of the past few days, the professional success, and the evolving connection with Knox all came down to this moment of celebration. I put on the earrings and necklace, wondering just how much they cost. I double-checked the clasp on the necklace. I didn’t dare lose the damn thing.

I smoothed down the front of the dress. This was it. I couldn’t sit down and wrinkle the dress. I stood, waiting and hoping Knox would come to my room to escort me to the party.

38

KNOX

As I knocked on her door, I had butterflies in my stomach. A strange sensation for a man who had dated an actual princess. Was she ready? Would she like the dress?

I knew she was going to look beautiful. I couldn’t wait to see her curves draped in red. I adjusted my bowtie and wiggled my shoulders. I loathed tuxedos. I rarely even wore suits.

She opened the door and my breath caught in my throat. There she was, an embodiment of beauty and confidence. The dress was perfect on her, like it was designed with her in mind. The ruby earrings and necklace completed the picture in perfect harmony. She looked like she had stepped straight out of a fairy tale, but this was no fiction. It was real.

“Breathtaking,” I said.

She smiled. “Thank you, Knox. You’re not so bad yourself. You clean up well.”

I chuckled at her comment, relief washing over me. “You have no idea how uncomfortable this thing is.”

She laughed heartily, the sound resonating in the room and filling my heart with warmth. “I’ll wear your bowtie if you wear my heels.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather be choked out.”

I offered my arm with a slight bow, playing the part of a gentleman to the hilt. She laughed again, a soft and musical sound, before placing her delicate hand in the crook of my elbow. Her touch sent a jolt through me, a tingle akin to electricity.

“Shall we?”

“We shall,” she replied with a mirthful glint in her eye.

When we stepped into the elevator, I figured it was a good time to tell her one last thing. I had put it off because I didn’t think she was going to be all that thrilled. “Did I mention there was a red carpet?”

“I know,” she said, shrugging. “I helped get it straightened out.”

“You’ve been requested to walk it.”

Her eyes practically popped out of her head. “What?!”

I chuckled nervously. I had expected this reaction. “Look, it’s not that big of a⁠—”

“But, Knox,” she interrupted, her voice pitching into a higher octave, her hand tightening around my arm. “I’ve never—I mean, I’m not—Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” I replied firmly, looking straight into her wide eyes. “You are going to be amazing. Trust me. You were the star of the runway. It’s only fitting you walk the red carpet. Everyone wants to see you. This is your fifteen minutes of fame. Enjoy it.”

She bit her lower lip and looked away from me, her face uncertain but also determined. It was a look I’d seen on her before, just before her runway debut. “Will you be walking with me?”

I slowly shook my head. “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“Why?”

“I’m the event planner on record,” I said. “I’m supposed to be behind the scenes, not walking the red carpet.”