“The one you can’t seem to spark up a conversation with?” Her mom asked.
“Yep, that’s the one.” Tess smiled.
When her mom reminded her not to beat-around-the-bush, they both laughed.
“We went on a date last night.”
“And?” Her mom set down the paper.
“Actually, we had lunch yesterday and then he invited me to his charity event last night at the PEC.” Tess lifted her coffee cup to her mouth.
“The fashion show.” Her mom lifted the paper to show her daughter. It had a picture of her and Parker. The caption read, ‘Who is Parker Walsh’s Cinderella?’ A write-up of the successful event and its cause followed the short and sweet question of who the woman on Parker’s arm was. The words blurred as Tess took her eyes back to the picture.
“What? This can’t be right.” Tess scrambled for her purse and found it on the sofa.
“What’s wrong sweetheart? What are you frantically searching for?” Her mom followed her to the living room.
Tess emptied her purse on the sofa. “It’s not here”.
“What isn’t, darling?”
“My phone.” Tess tried to remember when she last used it. She couldn’t.
“Well that explains why you didn’t answer this morning. I was ready to leave when you answered the door. I thought you might be with this Parker Walsh.” Her mother waved the paper in her hand.
“I was, but I snuck out of his place before he woke because I didn’t want him to see the real me.” Tess paced. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“The real you, what on earth do you mean Tess?”
“We have to get to the bookstore. We’ll talk about it later.” Tess wiped the tears from her eyes.
“That’s not important, Tess. You are. Tell me what’s upsetting you.” Her mom took her hand and led her back to the table. She grabbed the coffee pot and refilled their cups.
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you too, darling. Now spill.” Tess’s mom sat down and waited for her to explain.
Tess shared the story of the pendant, the coffee with Parker yesterday which led to lunch and the charity event. She took her mom down to her room and showed her the beautiful dress Parker gave her. They laughed when Tess spoke of Franc. Tess talked about the telescope at Parker’s and how exciting it had been to hear him talk about the stars. She only briefly mentioned what happened between the star-gazing and when her eyes opened at 12:02.
Then her mom handed her the paper.
“But darling, you look the same in this picture as you always do. I mean you look lovely in this gorgeous dress but you are always beautiful when you smile. Your eyes can light up an entire room when you smile.” She patted her daughter’s hand.
“Thanks Mom, but you’re biased.” Tess laughed.
“True. But if you looked as you always do, then that is the Tess that Parker saw yesterday, the Tess he invited to the charity and the one he star-gazed with,” her mom assured her .
“But Cami, Raven, Annalise and I saw each other yesterday morning. We all looked different. That’s why I searched for my phone. Cami had someone take our picture and she said she’d send it to me. I hadn’t checked yesterday being so pre-occupied with Parker.” Tess paced her kitchen. Total confusion entered her brain.
“Perhaps you girls wanted the pendant to be magical and you saw each other as you all wanted to see yourselves. I think all you girls needed a self-confidence boost. That’s the magic. You believed in your own beauty. It’s not how great your make-up looks or if you have an awesome hair day. It’s taking care of you; loving you. When that happens, the rest of the world sees the real you shine through.” Tess’s mom met her in the kitchen and kissed her on her forehead. “Now you have some explaining to do to Parker.” She reached for her purse.
“What about the bookstore?” Tess asked.
“We can do that anytime. To see my daughter happy is more important but I would like to go for coffee tomorrow and hear all about Parker.”
Tess laughed. “I love you, Mom.”
Her mother waved her hand in the air as she walked to the door and all Tess heard from her was, “Go get him.”
Chapter Eight
“Parker Walsh.” Jill Andrews said out loud as she stepped out of the elevator into the lobby.
“Yes, do we know each other?” He asked.
“Jill Andrews.” She extended her hand. “I recognize you from the picture in the paper with my daughter. She’s waiting to explain why she left you so suddenly last night.”
Parker smiled and asked her which apartment number. He mentioned he only knew the building address. She told him which apartment and motioned for him to go to Tess. He thanked her and obliged. He hoped the explanation didn’t include she never wanted to see him again. He knocked on her door.
“You forgot the paper.” Tess opened the door.
“What paper?” Parker smiled.
“Parker!” Tess froze for a moment. “Sorry, I thought you were my mom.”
“I met her in the lobby. She kindly gave me the right apartment number. I thought I’d have to hang out all day until you came down to the lobby.” He cleared his throat. “May I come in?”
Tess apologized and opened the door wider. “Sorry. Please come in. I want to apologize for my sudden disappearance.”
“Yes, your mother said you had an explanation for me.”
She handed him the paper with their picture.
“Yes I already saw this. Not a bad shot. I would have taken a much better one.” He laughed. Tess didn’t laugh. He hoped she wouldn’t ask him to leave and say she didn’t want to see him again. “Tess, I’m sorry if last night happened too fast. It wasn’t what I’d planned.” He took her hand in his and looked into her eyes.
“It was what I planned to happen.”
Her comment confused him, “I don’t understand.”
“This isn’t how I pictured myself yesterday.” She waved the paper in front of him.
“Tess you’re confusing the heck out of me.”
She asked him to come and sit while she explained. “You may think I’m crazy and may never want to see me again.”
“That’s my fear, Tess. When I woke up and found nothing but these”―he lifted his other hand which held her shoes―“I figured you woke up and realized last night was a mistake and you ran out barefoot.” He smiled.
Tess laughed. She took the shoes, set them on her table and reached for both his hands. “Well, you see.” She inhaled. “Here it goes.” She quickly rambled about a story of her friends, the magical pendant, their wish and then how she saw herself when she woke up.
Parker just listened. Her explanation only deepened his feelings for her.
“You are no different to me Tess, than yesterday, the day before and the day before that. Actually, I’ve wanted to talk to you and ask you out, but every time I thought I might have the chance, you rushed off. After a while I accepted that you were not interested.”
“Really?” She asked.
He wiped her tears with his thumbs.
“Yes, really.” He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. “Please tell me you won’t run away from me anymore.”
Tess shook her. “I feel so stupid.”
“Don’t. I love the fact that you’re a romantic. In fact I love the Donnellys because they remind me of a fairy tale couple. I think you and I have that potential.”
“You really think so?” Tess smiled.
“I do. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have come looking for Cinderella and brought her back her shoes.” Parker moved his eyes to where the shoes sat on the table.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out her phone, “And this was lef
t on my couch. I couldn’t even try to call so I figured I’d camp out in your lobby until you came down.” He smiled.
“I’ve wanted to talk to you for so long. I was just scared you wouldn’t want me. Plain Jane, not the models you work with.” Tess confessed.
Parker finally understood. “Tess, you are more beautiful than them. You are so much more. When I look at you, when I talk to you, I see the woman I want to grow old with.” He opened his heart to his true feelings.
“I mentioned yesterday that I thought I needed a career change. When I saw you with the Donnellys last night at the charity, it hit me. Tess, it’s not a career change I need. It’s you. I hope we can continue to see how this goes.”
“I’d like that.” Tess placed her hand against his face.
That one single touch re-ignited the flame that had sparked the night before. He leaned forward and kissed her lips. Her hand slipped back to touch his hair. In one sudden movement, he swept her into his arms and carried her down the hall. He stopped at her bedroom door.
“Promise you won’t run after I make love to you?” He smiled.
“I live here.” She laughed and then she promised she’d never run again.
Chapter Nine
Three months later.
“Hey Tess, I’m heading over to the shelter to set up.” Parker knocked on her office door.
She looked up and smiled. “I’ll meet you there in about an hour. I just want to run home and change into jeans and a sweater.”
He blew a kiss from the door. Tess sighed. She couldn’t believe how lucky she was. For the past few months she barely went a day without him in it. He’d given her a drawer and room in his closet and she’d done the same for him. Her friends teased her they may as well move in together. Tess saved her files and closed her laptop. She’d promised Elizabeth Donnelly she’d help her with the event. The no-kill animal shelter was ready to open and tonight they were having the Grand Opening celebration. Parker offered to set up at the shelter to take pet portraits for those who adopted at tonight’s celebration.
“Tess, darling, I’m so happy you are here,” Elizabeth greeted Tess with a warm hug.
“I wouldn’t miss it. I’m so proud of the work you’ve done to make this happen. You are my hero.” Tess complimented the woman who had become a very dear friend. Tess planned to help at the shelter on Saturdays.
“Speaking of your real hero” ―Elizabeth winked―“He needs your help first.”
Tess spotted Parker across the room. He placed the camera on its tri-pod and waved for her to come over.
“Elizabeth mentioned you needed me.”
“Always.” He smiled. “But if you could take a seat on the chair, I’d like to make sure my angles are set up correctly.”
Tess nodded and took a seat.
“Now smile,” he teased.
“Come on Parker, you know I don’t like my picture taken.” She laughed.
The camera flashed. Dammit! He always tricks me.
Parker walked toward her and knelt on one knee. Tess gasped. Her eyes grew. Her heart beat faster. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box. He opened it and then took Tess’s hand. Her eyes moved from his to the star-shaped diamond that sat inside the box.
“Tess, I love you. I always will. Will you grow old with me?”
Tears filled her eyes and she nodded. He’d done it again. She was speechless.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He laughed.
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” She leaned to seal it with a kiss.
Parker placed the beautiful star-shaped diamond on her finger.
“May we always share a love for the stars?” He lifted her hand to his lips.
“I love you Parker.”
“Is it time?” Elizabeth called out.
Parker gave her a thumbs-up.
“Time for what?” Tess asked and then looked up to see Elizabeth walking toward them with a dog on a leash; a black Pug wearing a pink sweater.
“Oh my, she’s adorable. I love Pugs!” Tess exclaimed.
“Then I’ve made the right choice,” Parker announced.
Tess looked at him. “She’s ours?”
Elizabeth handed the leash to Parker. Tess knelt down beside Parker and the Pug. She laughed when the dog tackled her with kisses. Tess reached for the box tied around her collar.
“What’s this?”
Parker opened the box to reveal another ring. This one was in the shape of a paw.
“She’d like you to be her mom,” Parker said and the dog barked. They all laughed.
Tess kissed the top of the dog’s head. “I’d love to be your mom.”
“A perfect family,” Elizabeth commented. “What will you name her?”
Tess looked at Parker. “Star.”
He nodded. “Perfect.”
Second Chance Cinderella
The Cinderella Body Club
Story 3
Sharon Kleve
I don’t worship perfection
I don’t even like it very much
Everything is perfect until it breaks
Only in the mending do you know true quality
Author unknown
Chapter One
Every Wednesday night, my friends get together for laughs, drinks and good food. It’s the highlight of my week. We used to meet every Wednesday at an uppity Portland bar, but none of us could really afford the expensive drinks and food on our small budgets. Now, we rotate to each other’s house or apartment and bring food and wine. It’s a lot more fun and a lot cheaper. Cami’s hosting this week.
The crisp Riesling I bought for five bucks tantalized my tongue as it slipped down my throat. Not bad for a bargain basement discount wine. I nibbled on the fresh bruschetta on the crostini and watched as Cami slipped off her shoes, slid on her slippers, and tucked her feet underneath her in one of her overstuffed, secondhand chairs. Annalise sat with her legs folded on the floor and Tess was curled up in Cami’s other chair. Everyone looked relaxed and happy.
Cami had soft, colorful throws folded up in a wicker basket near her couch. I grabbed a lavender one, and sat on the floor next to Annalise. I looked around at my best friends and realized how much I looked forward to our get together. I rarely socialized except for the time I spent with them.
Annalise raised her glass. “Here’s to us finding true love someday.”
“Hear! Hear!” All my friends cheered except me.
True love didn’t seem with in my reach. “My mom and dad didn’t last.”
And Alan left me after two years together. He promised me forever and I was left with nothing but a rent payment I couldn’t afford.
“I don’t know if I want to try again.”
“Raven,” Annalise chided me. “Remember what happens when you let the negative self-talk slip in?”
“I know. I’ll be baking dozens of bagels tomorrow. At least I’m not handing out quarters anymore, like I started out doing, or I’d be broke.”
“I have to admit we do love when you have to pay up with homemade goodies, but not at the expense of your happiness.” Cami pointed to my red sweater. “Your confidence has improved leaps and bounds. Last year you would have never worn such a beautiful, eye-catching sweater.”
“Have another glass of wine and cheer up. You’re beautiful. You just need a little confidence, is all?” Annalise leaned over and rubbed my arm, trying to soothe me.
“Yeah. Dipshit Alan might have taken your leather couch, but you don’t have to let him take your happiness, too. Be bold. Ask that cute doctor out you’re always talking about. His name is Quinn, right?” Tess asked.
“Yes. And are you kidding me? I’m lucky if I can answer him without stuttering. I
think my face turned red last week when he asked me about one of his patients. I’m not completely sure because I wasn’t near a mirror, but my face heated to a boiling point. He asked if I was okay. I was mortified and couldn’t look him in the face the rest of the day. He must think I’m an imbecile.”
“Hey. You got the prestigious Phlebotomist of the Year Award at your hospital last year. Imbeciles aren’t given those kinds of things,” Tess joked.
We all laughed and Cami got up and refilled our glasses. Tess took a bite of the crostini I made and sighed with pleasure. “God. These are sinful.”
“The trick is to buy the day old baguettes, drizzle them with olive oil before you toast them, and rub a cut garlic clove on the bread.”
“Hey, let’s get back to the love talk,” Annalise said.
“Well, my grandma still believes in true love,” Cami said whimsically.
“The grandma I met at the retirement community? The one you’re named after?” Tess asked.
Cami nodded. “I went to see her the other day. She gave me a locket she owned when she was a young woman.” Cami walked over and pulled a small, worn box out of her purse. She opened the package. “The cameo on the locket is made of ivory and behind it, onyx.”
“It’s beautiful.” I took the locket and chain from her hand to admire it.
“She told me a story about a young man she was in love with. They went to school together, but he barely noticed her. Then, he enlisted and was sent overseas in World War Two. She wrote to him every day, anonymously. Every night, she made a wish that he’d come back safe.”
“That a great story, but, it’s too bad she didn’t have the courage to be who she truly was and sign the letters herself,” Annalise said, as she ran her fingers up through her brown hair.
“Does this story have a happy ending?” Tess asked. “If it doesn’t I don’t want to hear it.”
Cami smiled and continued. “So when this young man came back, Grandma Cami made one more wish on the locket. When she knew his train was coming in the next day, she wished that she would be extra beautiful for one day. And to have the courage to go up and talk to him, and tell him that she was the one who’d written him the letters.”
Cinderella Body Club Boxed Set Page 9