A Date for the Derby - Heidi McLaughlin Page 0,3
to make a statement. He left me in charge of planning it, and it wasn’t an easy task. It has to be the biggest and best event of the season. Every reporter covering the derby will be downstairs. I didn’t hold back at all. My father told me to go all out and I did. Even all the celebrities attending the derby have accepted their invitation to come.
“Why are you frowning? That’s not allowed right now.”
William’s voice catches me off guard. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t hear him enter the room. It feels strange being in my old bedroom again. With all the party planning and making sure everything is perfect, I haven’t been able to leave. My dad has enjoyed having me at the main house the past couple of days, especially since it’s our first big event without my mother. All I know is that I’m exhausted already and there are still numerous events to attend before the derby.
I look over at William and smile. I’ve only known him for a year, but he’s the closest friend I have. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never been in short supply of friends, especially with who my family is, but I’ve come to the realization that most of them aren’t genuine. They always want something from me. It didn’t bother me when I was younger, but now that I’m in my thirties, my outlook on life has changed.
“I’m not frowning,” I say, taking the garment bag from him. Inside is one of the many dresses he’s designed for me. I can’t wait to see it. “I’m thinking. There’s a lot riding on this party tonight. My father wants it to be the best.”
William snorts and sits down on the beige Victorian-style chaise at the foot of my bed. The man is dressed impeccably in his black tux with his sandy blond hair combed perfectly to the side. We’re the same age and I always tell him he looks like a young Leonardo DiCaprio. His golden hazel eyes stare mischievously at me. “If it’s not, then there’s a problem. There are people everywhere downstairs. I even saw that one singer from the Backstreet Boys. Totally hot if you ask me.” He winks. “You’ll have to make some introductions.”
He says it, but I can still see the pain in his eyes. He’s still heartbroken from his breakup with Andres. “I’ll introduce you to everyone I know,” I promise him. There are some men I know who would be perfect for him.
When I met William in New York, it was at one of the poshest restaurants in the city while I attended Fashion Week. Little did I know that when I sat down at the bar to order a drink that I’d be sitting next to one of the famous up and coming designers. I loved William’s designs. We hit it off right from the beginning and he introduced me to his boyfriend who owned the restaurant. Now that they aren’t together anymore, he decided to take me up on my offer and stay in Kentucky for a while to design a new line of clothes, all geared toward the derby style. I have no doubt all the ladies will be lining up to get their own dresses made after they see the ones he designed for me.
William helps me into my light pink, lacy sheath gown and zips up the back. I have a pink headpiece to match that sits to the side of my head with bright pink feathers. It’s the first hat William has ever designed, and I love it.
I take one last look in the mirror just as a knock sounds on my door. “Come in,” I call out.
The door opens slightly, and my father sticks his head in. His eyes widen when he sees me, and he quickly steps in. “Oh, pumpkin, you look beautiful.”
Holding out my arms, I walk over and hug him. “Thanks, Daddy. You look amazing yourself.” My father has always been an icon in the derby circuit, well-respected and a charming businessman. With his salt and pepper hair and bright green eyes, the man has always been able to get his way with just one look. Everyone says I’m the same way, that I have the same charm.
He kisses my cheek. “You ready? Everyone’s waiting on you.”
“As I’ll ever be,” I reply as my heart beats so fast I can hear it in my ears. He lets me go and