“She wasn’t finding what she was looking for here,” Izzy explained. “I, on the other hand, would love to see that little green number in my size.”
* * *
Ally went into work the next day in a miserable mood.
“How was your afternoon yesterday?” Lynn asked her.
“It was all right. No, I take that back. It was horrible. Izzy and I went shopping for dresses and it was disappointing. To say the least.”
“Oh. Are you looking for a dress for a particular occasion or just for fun?”
“Ben was nominated for an award and we’re going to the UNHL ceremony this weekend in Las Vegas. I need something nice to wear on the red carpet.”
“Wow, Ally. Las Vegas? I’m excited for you. You know, my sister owns a dress shop downtown. I can take you if you’d like,” Lynn offered.
“Really?”
“Sure.”
“Thank you so much, Lynn. That would be nice. Just as long as it’s not a shop full of teeny bopper clothes. I don’t think I can handle another sequined tube dress.”
“Oh, no. It’s not that kind of place. We’ll be able to find something for your big night.”
Once inside Chloe’s Dress Boutique downtown, Ally felt instantly relieved. There were no sequins or neon colors in sight. And Lynn’s sister Chloe proved to be very helpful.
“So Ally, you’re looking for a special dress?” Chloe asked.
“Yes. My…boyfriend…,” Ooh, that felt good to say out loud, “…and I are going to an awards ceremony and I need something appropriate for the red carpet.”
“Sounds romantic,” Chloe cooed.
“He’s a professional hockey player,” Lynn added.
Chloe clapped her hands together with delight. “Well, I have a selection of floor length gowns over here.” Passing by short, colorful cocktail dresses, Chloe led Ally and Lynn to the far end of the store. “If there are going to be cameras around, you probably don’t want anything too flashy or sparkly.”
It was as if she read Ally’s mind. “Yes. Please, no sequins or cleavage.”
Chloe selected several black gowns for Ally to start with. “I’ll go get you a changing room started. Keep in mind that if there’s something you like that is too big, we can always have it altered.”
Ally and Lynn began searching through the plethora of gowns in front of them. Within seconds, a hint of turquoise caught Ally’s eye. She pulled the dress out to get a better look and her breath caught in her throat. It was a sweet and airy silk gown with unique draping detail. And every bit the classy gown that Ally had imagined wearing to the awards.
This was it. She knew it even before trying it on. It was perfect.
Oblivious to Ally’s discovery, Lynn asked, “So, hon, what colors do you like? Do you want to be the Lady in Red, or blue…?”
“How about turquoise?” Ally answered.
“Okay then. Turquoise it is.”
“This is it. This is the dress,” Ally announced and held up the gown.
Lynn looked up with surprise. They had only been in the store for a few minutes. “Ally, that one is gorgeous. The color matches your eyes perfectly.”
“I think I’m going to try it on.”
Ally carried it to the dressing room and prayed a silent prayer.
Oh, please, let it look as good on me as it does on the hanger.
Inside the dressing room, she undressed and carefully slipped into the dress, the cool silk caressing her skin. She squeezed her eyes shut and turned around to face the mirror. She took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes. Ally could barely recognize herself in the reflection. The opulent aqua color complimented her skin tone and brought out her blue eyes. The V-neckline at the front and back was tasteful and elegant. Delicate sleeves skimmed over her arms and flattered her unlike the strapless and spaghetti strapped dresses at Taunt. Ally smiled at herself in the mirror. It was sophisticated, stylish and most of all special.
This was it.
She went out of the dressing room to show Lynn and Chloe. When she came around the corner, the two sisters stopped and stared. Chloe’s jaw dropped and a huge smile took over Lynn’s face.
Ally spun around to give them the full effect of the dress. The layers of silk flowed around her and made her feel like a princess.
“You are stunning,” Lynn finally blinked.
“That dress was made for you,” Chloe said.
When Chloe rang up the dress at the cash register, Ally did a double take.
“That can’t be right.” Ally had planned on spending double the amount. Realizing she probably shouldn’t be telling Chloe that, she clamped her mouth shut.
“Oh, hon, that dress was on sale.” Chloe and Lynn exchanged a sisterly look.
“And,” Lynn added, “We get to use the family discount.”
“I can’t thank the two of you enough,” Ally said. The kindness of the two sisters overwhelmed her.
“The thought of you looking like a movie star on the red carpet is thanks enough.”
* * *
Izzy stopped by Ally’s house that evening to say goodbye. And apologize. Ally had entrusted Izzy to help her find the perfect dress and she had let her down. Big time. Their tastes were so different that it was inevitable, but Izzy still felt horrible about it.
Izzy knocked on Gram’s rickety front door and within a moment, Ally pulled it open.
Izzy squinted up at her best friend. “I’m sorry I was such a horse’s ass yesterday.”
“Me too.”
“Oh.” Izzy was surprised. “I thought you’d still be pissed.”
“Come on in, Horse’s Ass.” Ally smiled and waved her inside.
“I guess I get a little skitso when I’m around that many dresses. At least I didn’t leave empty handed. Kenzie hooked me up with a whole new wardrobe. Hey,” she eyed Ally suspiciously, “are you sure you’re not mad?”
“Yeah. A-okay.” Ally was much too excited to dwell on their tiff in the dressing room. “Guess what!” she beamed while Izzy looked at her like she was an alien.
Why was she so damn happy? “You’re not going to the awards after all?”
“No. Yes, I’m still going. I found a dress!” she exclaimed, ushering Izzy into her room.
Izzy plopped down onto the bed. “Really? Where?” she asked in disbelief.
“I went with Lynn and she helped me.”
“Lynn? Old lady Lynn from your work?
“Yup,” Ally nodded. “Well, she’s not that old.”
“Wow. Old lady Lynn saved the day!”
“I’m so excited! Come see.” Ally pulled her to her feet and led her to the closet to show her The Great Turquoise One.
* * *
Saturday morning, when it came time for Ben to pick Ally up for their ride to the airport, Ally was a ball of jitters. Her bags were packed, and re-packed, and everything was in order, but she couldn’t shake the thought that she was forgetting something. She sure hadn’t forgotten to arrange a send-off party.
The tiny house was packed with women to see Ally off on her big adventure. Ruby, Gram and Izzy were all excited for her big weekend.
Ally, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. She pulled Izzy aside just in time to hear Ben’s car pull up out front. “Will you promise me you’ll check in on Gram while we’re gone?”
“Of course I will.”
“You know I wouldn’t wish Judith on anyone, but I need to know that Gram’s okay.”
“I can handle that old bag, no problem.” Izzy tried her best to reassure her.
“Are you sure? What are you going to do? Bore her to death with stories about fashion week?”
“Shut up. Fashion week isn’t for another three months. Anyway, I can always bring Marcus along for back up if I have to.”
“Ooohh,” Ally feigned terror. “He could judo chop her with his Calvin Klein man purse.”
“Hey! It’s a Kenneth Cole messenger bag and it’s fabulous! And so is he. Speaking of
fabulous, you’re going to have so much fun! You get to walk a red carpet and be treated like a rock star. I think I’m actually a little jealous of you. See, all this started with me wanting to get you out of the house and now you‘re going all the way to Sin City!”
Ally rolled her eyes. “Thank you, Izzy. I’m not sure you deserved all the credit, but I still thank you for everything.”
“You are welcome.”
Ally went over to Gram and gave her one last hug. “I’m leaving you with Ben’s cell number, too, just in case. Oh, and the number for the hotel is on the fridge...and…”
“Allison, we’ll be fine,” Gram assured her. “Now go, before we have to physically push you out the door.”
“I love you, Gram,” she kissed Gram’s cheek and looked around the living room. “Okay, here I go.” Ally gathered up her bags and tried to make sure she wasn’t forgetting something important. The screen door slammed and she yelled behind her, “Bye Iz, I love you Gram, thank you Ruby!”
* * *
Normally, Ben would have never gone to Vegas for any less than a week minimum, but Ally only felt comfortable leaving Gram for the weekend. Under the circumstances, the weekend would have to do. She also had the following week off from work and he was looking forward to it. Vegas or Red Valley, he didn’t care where they were as long as they were together.
The drive to the airport was refreshing. The further they got from home, the more Ally could feel the tension and apprehension leave her body. Eventually, all of her responsibilities began to fade away. She was on an extraordinary trip with her famous boyfriend and she wasn’t going to ruin it with anxiety.
Once in a while, she caught Ben looking over at her because he just couldn’t help himself. She was just so pretty sitting there next to him in his Corvette. He noticed that her face began to relax as they neared the airport and he was glad to see her lightening up. He wanted to take her away from everything and never look back. But he had to settle for the weekend instead. And he planned on making the most of it and making it last. Who knew when they would get an opportunity like this again in the future?
On the plane, she snuggled close to him. “It’s so nice to have you all to myself.”
“We have to enjoy it while we can before the season starts up again.”
“Yeah, it’s going to be hectic, huh?”
“Well, let’s see. We have 82 games and 40 of them are away.” He traced the numbers on the palm of her hand. “And that’s not counting pre-season and the playoffs, if we make it that far.”
“Wow.” Meeting him at the tail end of the season, she had never really thought about the grind of the hockey season. All the travel and bouncing back and forth between cities.
“Are you gonna be okay?” he asked.
“Sure I am. We can manage anything after the spring we’ve had.”
“Good, but I don’t want to think about that now. Let’s focus on the weekend ahead.”
An hour and twenty minutes later, the happy couple arrived in sunny Las Vegas. After a short taxi ride, they were led to their suite at the Palms Hotel.
Ally had never been to Vegas before and was instantly overwhelmed by the lights, sights and bustle of the city. Las Vegas had its own heartbeat and she could feel it pulsing all around her. Her own pulse quickened when they opened the door to their room.
The suite was located on the eastern end of Palms tower giving them a sensational view of the world-renowned panorama. Ally’s jaw dropped as she surveyed the room. Hardwood and marble flooring, 9-foot ceilings, fireplace and whirlpool bathtub. It was a hundred times more amazing than she had imagined.
“What do you think?” Ben asked from behind her.
She was silent for a moment, before answering. “I think I love you.”
“Oh, good,” he said and put his arms around her, “because I was beginning to wonder.”
She answered his sarcasm with a kiss and he didn’t argue.
Ally marveled over the gift basket on the table while Ben answered his cell phone. It was Jerrold, Ben’s agent.
“Jerrold. Greetings from Las Vegas.”
“How’s the suite?” Jerrold was always calling to make sure everything was copasetic, whether it was in Ben’s personal or professional life.
“Great. Everything is great here. Nice suite.”
“Good, good. Did you get the gift basket? I thought your girlfriend might appreciate it.”
“Oh yeah.” Ben looked over at Ally who was digging through the goodies like a child on Easter Sunday.
“You’ve got your schedule for the ceremonies?”
“Yep.” Ben patted his pocket. “Red carpet at 5:45, awards ceremony at seven, and After Party at nine.
Ben stepped out onto the patio and shut the sliding glass door behind him. He didn’t want Ally to hear what he needed to ask Jerrold. Not yet.
Ben swallowed before asking the million dollar question. “Free agency begins here in a couple of weeks. Do you know where we stand with everything?”
Ben’s contract with the Red Valley Razors was expiring. He didn’t intend to keep secrets from Ally, but he needed to gather all the facts before he told her anything. He had a feeling that things were about to change.
“The Razors are restructuring the whole team,” Jerrold said ominously.
“Okay, so what does that mean for us?” Ben leaned against the balcony railing. He needed something to hold him up in case the news was bad.
“They’re bringing in some new players and they might not be able to afford to keep you if they reach their salary cap.”
“Really.” This changed everything. Ben’s future was now up for grabs to the highest bidder.
“If you ask me, they’re making a huge mistake in not keeping you. You’re one of the hottest players in the league right now. Especially after being considered for the Lester Heart.”
“Have you talked to any other teams?” Ben asked.
He and Jerrold had already made a list of teams that Ben was willing to move to. Places like Los Angeles and Phoenix didn’t interest him as much as the teams back east. Travel time in the east was a cakewalk compared to the west. Also, Ben wanted to stay in the United States, so that meant the eight Canadian teams were out. That left Colorado and Minnesota which appealed to Ben the most.
“I started with the top of your list and since Colorado is number one, I’m flying out to Denver tonight. I’ve already talked to the GM and it looks good, Benny. Real good.”
“Okay, well that’s comforting to know at least. Let me know how it goes.”
“All right, I will. Congratulations on your award nomination. Good luck tonight. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
“And Ben, don’t worry about this. I’ll take care of everything. It’s my job. I’ll keep you updated.”
“Thanks. Talk to you later.” Ben snapped his phone shut, pushed away from the railing and went back inside the room.
“Who was that?” Ally asked holding up a gourmet chocolate bar from the basket.
“Jerrold.”
“Is everything okay?” Her brow furrowed when she saw his serious expression.
“Baby, everything is wonderful.” He smiled to reassure her, pulled her to him and lowered his lips to hers.
She kissed him back before spinning around the room in awe. “This place is amazing!” Ally was so happy that she glowed.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you, too. Thank you for bringing me here. It’s much more than I imagined it would be. It’s beautiful and wonderful and I can’t believe we’re here together.”
She sighed, fell back onto the bed and splayed her arms out on the oversized mattress. Ben leaned down and kissed her again. This time with more urgency and a sense of wanting. He wanted her now. He wanted to take her right then on the hotel bed. Everything else could wait. The gift basket. The Award Ceremony. The whole damn city.
Ally silently agreed. She pulled him
down on top of her and wove her fingers through his hair. She wanted him, too. Piece by piece, their clothes were tossed on the floor and they made love in their beautiful and wonderful suite in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Three hours later and rested from their mid-afternoon nap, Ben gently woke Ally. She was curled up beside him, her hair fanned out behind her on the white sheets. He hated to disturb her, but it was getting late.
“We’d better start getting ready,” he whispered.
“Do we have to?” she mumbled into her pillow.
“I think we should at least try and make an appearance, don’t ya think?”
She sat up with a start and remembered where she was and why she was there. “Oooh, I’ve got to get ready. My hair, my dress…” Ally muttered all the way into the bathroom.
An hour later, Ben was dressed in his Armani tuxedo and ready to go. For the last forty-five minutes, he’d been flipping through the channels trying to find something to watch on TV. Ally was awfully quiet inside the bathroom and he was beginning to wonder if her nerves had gotten the best of her and if she’d decided to escape out the window. He got up and softly rapped his knuckles on the bathroom door. “Ally? Are you alive in there?”
“Yeah.” Her voice was muffled through the door and he thought he heard her say something about a mental institute. She definitely sounded distressed.
“If you want, we can stop by the loony bin on the way to the ceremony,” he said to the door.
She snorted and he smirked. “Very funny. I just…ugh…Ben I think you are out of your mind to think that I can do this.”
“All you have to do is hold my hand and smile. Well, I guess you don’t have to smile, but it should probably look like you actually want to be here with me and that I’m not forcing you against your will and holding you prisoner.”
She sighed in frustration. His snide remarks were not helping the situation. “I feel so overdressed and I just can’t…”
“Let me see,” he prodded.
He heard her mumble and then the sound of the door unlocking. Slowly, she opened the door and took a deep breath.
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