31. James
31
JAMES
T he rap on my door caught my attention, and I turned and said, "Come in." I didn't know why I hoped it would be Ms. Hart, but I did. I hoped she had one final thing to say or do before leaving for the event gala, though I didn't even know whether she was still here. So my heart sank when the door swung open and it was Marna.
"Sir, Sam is here," she said with a nod, and she backed away with a smile as Sam took her place on the threshold and walked in.
"Hey, now there's an overdressed man puttin' on the Ritz for a bummer of a party…" He chuckled as his eyes swept down over my expensive tuxedo to my Armani shoes. I'd told him exactly why this party was still going on. On top of the fact that I was finally making a statement about my divorce—even to a few members of the press who would be in attendance by invitation—I'd be making another precious announcement to all of my friends.
The fact that this gala happened every year was just a triviality to me this year. Tradition meant nothing without those with whom you hold it, and if tonight worked in my favor, I'd have a whole host of new traditions to make with Ms. Hart. If not, I might let them all slip right off my agenda and become a recluse.
"You can never be overdressed. The outside reflects the inside," I told him, winking. Nothing was going to get me down today, not even jibes from my closest friend. Today was the day I got to tell the woman of my dreams that I was in love with her in front of an audience of my peers.
Sam shut the door and walked farther into my room and whistled through his teeth as he moved. He, himself, was dressed to the nines as well. I assumed everyone in attendance this evening would be. It was the biggest gala of the year in this area. Only the most elite were invited. That just made it all the more exciting and anticipatory for me. Ivy would be honored in front of all those people in such a dramatic fashion, I couldn't wipe the smirk off my face just thinking of her reaction.
"You really have it bad for this girl, huh?"
I hadn't really told Sam about the intensity between me and Ms. Hart, but the way we interacted around the subject of her in conversation probably told him everything he needed to know. She'd been on my tongue day and night for weeks. She was all I could think about, and it came out in my words and body language. I turned back to the mirror in front of which I was standing and continued to tie my bowtie.
"I'm in love, Sam… And before you lecture me—keep it to yourself." I eyed him through the reflection. "I am wise enough to know what I'm getting into. I just hope Barbra doesn't make it a big deal."
Wisely, Sam avoided that topic as well, and he changed the subject. "I heard Cameron Sullivan is performing?" His eyebrows rose in curiosity, and I smiled, thankful that my friend understood my stance and by his silence on the subject showed his support.
I turned with a smile and nodded at him, and we delved into the details as I put on my cufflinks and shoes and we headed down to my car. Sam's wife waited in the living room for him, and together, the three of us climbed into my limo and were off to the venue.
When we walked into the ballroom, I was blown away. Barbra's previous Valentine's parties were mediocre compared to the punch of Ms. Hart's designs. The room was full of reds and pinks—roses in vases on every table, velvet curtains draped along the walls, and little twinkle lights strung above us like stars. In the center of the room, the dance floor was packed with couples, all gliding smoothly to the music. The live band played soft tunes, the kind that made everyone sway in time, their feet barely touching the ground.
Along one wall, a massive chocolate fountain stood bubbling with rich, dark chocolate. People crowded around, dipping strawberries, marshmallows, and even little heart-shaped cookies into the flow, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Near the fountain, there was a hand-painted tapestry splashed in reds, pinks, and whites, with swirling patterns that seemed almost alive. It was huge, covering the entire wall, and it pulled the whole room together, like it was telling a love story without a single word.
Sam whistled through his teeth again and his eyes went wide. "Sheesh, she makes Barbra look like a fool, doesn't she?" he said, and his wife patted his arm.
"I need chocolate, dear," she told him, and she pulled him away from me as I chuckled at his response. I watched them weave through the crowd toward the fountain on the far wall and focused my eyes on the dancefloor where I knew tonight the magic would really happen. I couldn't wait to tell her I was in love, but more so, I couldn’t wait to rub elbows with every single person here and tell them how incredible she was.
This entire event couldn't have been more perfect so far. I hardly had to do a thing. Just showing up and seeing the decorations, hearing the band, I knew every one of my friends and colleagues would be as amazed and awestruck as I was. The work spoke for itself. I couldn’t wait to see her now…