Chapter Twenty-Six Tonight
Camille was nervous. The good kind. The kind that settled low in her stomach every time she thought about tonight.She stood in front of the bathroom mirror, finishing her makeup wondering where Simone was taking her.A knock sounded against the bathroom door.Camille smiled.
"Come in."The door opened and Simone stepped inside.
Camille smiled and shook her head softly.
"Now I'm nervous." Simone stepped a little closer.
"Why?"Camille looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Then back at Simone."Because.""You look really good.
"Simone laughed quietly."I do?"Camille pointed at her.
"Yes, really good."Simone smiled and blushed.
"Now you? Camille, you look amazing.""And thank you.
"For a moment, neither looked away. Then Camille turned back toward the mirror.
Adjusting the front of the dress. That's when Simone noticed the zipper.Not quite all the way up.
"Hold on."Camille looked at her in the mirror.
"What?""Your dress."Simone stepped closer.
"The zipper.""Oh."Camille turned."Can you help me?
" Simone smiled."Of course."She moved behind her.
Careful not to step on the dress. She adjusted the dress, making sure it was straight.When she finished, Simone's hands sat on Camille's shoulders. Camille looked at her in the mirror. They stared at each other for a minute. Then Simone’s phone buzzed.
She looked down at her phone."Our ride is here.”Simone slipped her phone away and reached for their jackets.
Simone turned to Camille and opened the jacket.
Camille smiled and let her help.Camille laughed then reached up and straightened Simone's collar.
"There."Simone looked down."Better?""Much.
"Then Simone reached for her hand."Ready?
"Camille nodded."Yes."Hand in hand they headed downstairs.
Through the lobby and towards the entrance.
The car was already waiting. The driver was standing nearby.Just as Camille walked to the car, Simone gently squeezed her hand. "Wait here for a second.""Why?"
"I'll be right back." Before Camille could try and stop her, Simone walked toward the car. The driver opened the rear door.
Simone leaned inside. Camille watched from a distance, confused.
A few seconds later, Simone turned around.Holding a bouquet of roses.
Simone walked back toward her. When she reached her, she held the flowers out.
"For you."Camille stared at the roses. Then at Simone.
She was speechless. Which almost never happened.Simone smiled, looking a little nervous.
"I thought you might like them."Camille laughed.
“I love them, thank you.”Simone smiled."Come on.
"They made their way to the car and Simone opened the door and held her hand out or Camille. Camille laughed, taking Simone’s hand.
"Thank you.""You're welcome."The driver closed the door after Simone got in.
Then they were off. Camille looked down at the roses resting in her lap then she looked over at Simone.
"These are beautiful."The sincerity in her voice made Simone smile.
"I’m glad you like them.""Thank you.""You're welcome.
" Simone said.Then Camille looked at her.
"When did you even have time to do this?
"Simone laughed."I can't reveal all my secrets.
""Of course not."For the next few minutes, they talked quietly.
About the day. The dress. The bookstore.
But mostly the dress.Until Simone got quiet.
"What?"Simone looked over and smiled."Camille?
""Yeah?""Do you trust me?"The question caught her off guard.
"Of course I do."Then she smiled."Why?"Instead of answering, Simone reached into her purse.
A second later she pulled out a black silk blindfold.Camille stared then started laughing.
"Oh my.""What?" Simone said, smiling."What are you up to?
""Nothing.""That is a lie." An obvious one.
Simone laughed. Then held out the blindfold.
"Can you put this on?"Camille looked at it.
Then at her. Then back at the blindfold.
"Okay, Simone.""Wait what exactly are you doing?
""You said you trust me."Camille looked at her for another second.
Then she shook her head. Still smiling."Okay.
"She put the roses on the seat, then leaned forward.
Simone moved closer. Carefully tying the blindfold behind her head.Making sure it sat comfortably.
Not too tight. Not too loose. When she finished, she sat back.
"I can't see anything.""That's kind of the point.
""Simone.""What?""What are you doing?"The answer never came.
Instead, Simone reached over and took her hand.
Holding it gently between both of hers."We'll be there soon.
"And for the rest of the ride, Camille sat there smiling.
Completely blind. Completely curious. And trusting Simone more than ever.Not long after, the car started to slow down.
Until finally it came to a stop."We're here.
"The excitement in her voice made Simone smile.
"Maybe." "Simone."The driver laughed from the front seat.
"That means yes."Camille pointed toward the sound of his voice.
"I like him."Simone laughed."I know."A moment later, the driver's door opened.
Camille could hear movement as she stepped outside.
"Ready?" Simone saidCamille smiled. The blindfold was still covering her eyes.
"No."Simone laughed "Good.""Okay."Simone's voice was closer now.
Softer."Just a few more steps." Camille smiled. And let Simone lead her forward.