Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye - Jacquelyn Middleton Page 0,125
Leia pulled back the curtain an inch and glanced backstage. “Show is supposed to start in ten minutes.”
Sarah burst out laughing. “There IS a god!”
What’s she up to? Narrowing her eyes, Leia let go of the drape.
“I’m lovin’ this!” her sister jeered. “It’s from Dad.” Fighting back more giggles, she gleefully shared his news.
Dad: I know Leia’s got her hands full, so pass along when she’s free. Tyler was traded to Arizona.
Leia jolted. “What?! He’s leaving New York? But he has a no-trade clause.”
“Something must’ve voided it,” said Sarah, her expression full of delight. “Or he waived it for some reason.”
“Yeah, I can think of several.” Leia twisted her lips and picked up the tote holding her sewing kit. “What else does Dad say?”
Sarah read aloud.
Dad: It hasn’t hit the news yet. My buddy in the GM’s office swore me to secrecy, so keep this under your hat for now, okay? Love you both. Good luck tonight!
“I can’t believe it.” Leia let out a happy gasp, relishing the news.
“No more running into him at events, no more gossip!” Sarah stuffed her phone in her bag and hid it under her coat. “You’re free of that twatwaffle for good, Ley!”
She nodded and swished open the changing room curtain for her sister. “I can’t think of a better ‘welcome home’ present!”
Leia followed Sarah through the impromptu backstage area of temporary hair and makeup stations and curtained-off dressing rooms. Colorful dresses hung from three rolling clothing racks, each one divided by large tags bearing a single name: Alex, Lucy, Naomi, Joan, and Freddie—all Simon’s friends with the exception of Sarah, Shantelle, Riley, and her British boyfriend Ben. They all stood in a casual semi-circle, chatting and fawning over their outfits, their exuberance competing with the upbeat playlist of pop hits spilling through the doorway of the adjacent space. Simon flitted from model to model, doing a final check on seams, hems, and zippers, making sure everyone was runway ready while Spencer lingered by the racks, ready to help anyone needing assistance changing into their second look.
They’re all runway-ready… in my dresses! Leia caught her breath. I have so much to be thankful for. She paused beside the closest rack and a large piece of Bristol board affixed to the end, its surface papered with a series of numbered photos. The pictures, Leia’s ‘run of show’, showcased each outfit and were organized in the order they would appear on the runway. Poring over it quickly, she looked over her shoulder, studying her real-life models. All, spare Shantelle, were accounted for and waiting in the correct sequence. Shan’s missing again? Where did she wander off to this time? Leia dropped her tote of supplies on the floor and craned her neck, searching for the wayward star.
“Leia!” Alex waved. Sandwiched between Lucy and Sarah, she looked down at Simon removing lint with double-sided tape from the skirt of her floor-skimming purple dress. “I’ve been thinking…” Alex met Leia’s eyes. “I’d hate to wear this once and then never again. If Mark gets nominated for a BAFTA—”
“He will!” smirked Lucy, running her hands down her pink party dress.
“I’d love to wear this to the ceremony,” said Alex. “It’s perfect!”
A British red carpet! “Sure!” Leia grinned. “I’ll loan it to you.”
“Can I buy it?”
Tonight’s first sale! Leia grabbed her reusable water bottle. “Absolutely. Yeah, that would be amazing!” A glimpse of turquoise caught her eye. Ah, thank god. There she is!
“Sorry, Scotty!” Wearing a coy smile, Shantelle skipped into place between Freddie and Naomi, towing a smug-looking Bastien behind her.
“Fuck me!” Wide-eyed, Lucy swore under her breath. She wasn’t the only one.
Holy shit! Leia’s stare ping-ponged between the actors. They’re together?!
“Lost track of the time!” Shantelle giggled and Bastien relinquished her hand, brazenly wiping her pink lipstick from his mouth.
Without a heartfelt Je suis désolé or Bonne chance, he tossed back his crown of curls and strolled through the doorway where fashion editors, buyers, and influential bloggers held court, anticipating Frill-Seekers’ runway debut. The backstage monitor popped on, the live feed showing Bastien taking his front-row seat. Several squeals of delight erupted around him.
Leia rescued her jaw from the floor as Simon and the makeup artist, lip brush and pot of gloss in her hand, swooped to Shantelle.
“By the way, Ley…” Shantelle nudged up her glasses as Simon surveyed her gown for creases. “We have to talk later!” She parted her lips, allowing the makeup artist to work her magic.