Ellie and I swapped an approving glance, having taken that same advice from watching designer Nate Berkus on an episode of OWN.
“All right then,” Adam said. “Where’s the dress?”
Once inside my bedroom, I headed into the far corner and picked up Le Fleur’s paper bag. I removed the evening gown. Despite the tear, I’d not rallied the courage to dispose of it. Perhaps some part of me had hoped for a miracle.
Like this one.
I felt so lucky to have Natalie and Adam as friends as well as colleagues.
Before getting Adam to dedicate hours to making a dress that I may not get to wear, I had to see if going to the Oscars was still an option.
I tucked the dress under my left arm and neared my dresser, upon which rested my jewelry box. Hidden inside its secret compartment was the scrap of paper Jamie had handed me with his phone number scribbled on it.
Carefully punching the numbers into my iPhone, I texted him. “If you haven’t found anyone yet I’d still very much like to go with you to the Oscars!”
Staring at the screen, I waited for a response, wondering if the exclamation mark was too much.
What felt like an alien life form nestled in the pit of my stomach, did a flip, and I plopped down on the edge of the bed.
My phone buzzed.
“LOL.” Came Jamie’s answer.
What does that mean?
I bit hard on my bottom lip, wondering whether to respond or not, staring at the flashing icon in the message bar.
Play it cool, I told myself, trying to still my shaking hands.
“I’ll pick you up at 4. Where?” came Jamie’s text.
“Gemstone, please.” I replied, my smile widening, the raging alien inside my stomach now merely a gentle fairy prancing around in there, causing tingles.
“Yay,” I texted.
And then promptly deleted it.
“Wonderful.” I wrote. “Thank you so much.” I pushed send.
“:)” he responded.
Focusing on Jamie’s smiley face, I tried to read into its meaning. My heart pounded with excitement and it made me dizzy. This was really happening.
I hoped Adam could pull off his ambitious promise of designing a dress in time for tomorrow. Was such a thing even possible? Adam and Natalie really believed it was.
I carried the dress back to them, and said, “Thank you for being here. And for offering to do this.”
“We also need to keep Piper safe,” Ellie said.
“If Sarah returns to the clinic I’m going to deal with her,” Natalie said firmly.
“I don’t think she’d cause bodily harm,” Adam said. “Just mayhem.”
“Trust me.” Natalie looked serious. “She’ll get her comeuppance. I have friends on the lot who’ll hear about this.”
“I’m reluctant to stir up any trouble. I’d rather let it go.” I handed Adam the dress.
He unraveled it and held it up. “The skirt is ruined, but we can save the bodice.” His right hand slid down the material. “I’ll cut here at the waist and discard the rest. I’ll design a skirt that fits the bodice and sew them together. That way we keep your dress’s gorgeous beading over the top, and we save time.” Adam glanced at Natalie. “Which we have little of.”
“Whatever you need from me,” Natalie said.
“I really appreciate this,” I said. “You’re going above and beyond--”
“It’s what I love to do,” Adam replied.
“Me too,” Natalie said.
Ellie scrunched up her hands and giggled with excitement. “Piper, you’re going to look amazing.”
A shudder of pleasure burst in my solar plexus and it made me giggle.
“Let’s measure you,” Natalie said with a smile. “I’m Adam’s assistant today.” She rummaged in her purse and removed a tape measure.
“Where will you get the other material from?” I asked.
“I’m allocated so much material per year from college,” Adam explained. “We’ll use black tulle for the skirt.”
Ellie sucked in her breath dramatically. “She’ll look like a princess.”
“Better than that,” Adam said. “She’ll look Oscar ready.”
CHAPTER 18
Resident Hero
Stage: Dark
My Sunday shift was almost over.
For some reason, each time I glanced at one of the clocks time seemed to have stood still. With only a car commercial being filmed on New York Street and all the regular studio staff off for the weekend, Gemstone was deserted. Despite keeping busy re-stocking rooms and completing equipment checks, every time I remembered I was going to the Oscars tonight my stomach flipped.
Jamie was picking me up in just over an hour and Adam had reassured me the dress would be ready. I tried to remember the last time I’d done something this exciting and couldn’t.
Eventually, midday came around and Natalie and I settled in the break room for lunch. I took a bite out of my pesto chicken sandwich, listening to her story of when she first came to Gemstone.
“This place is so huge I was terrified I’d get lost,” she said. “I spent an entire nightshift driving around to get my bearings.”
“I put a map of the lot on my bedroom wall,” I admitted.
“You do really well finding your way around. So it’s working.” She sat back. “And the patients love you. They’re starting to ask for you by name.”
I lowered my gaze.
“You’re a good nurse, Piper.” She gestured. “Scratch that. You’re an amazing nurse and I love working with you.”
“Thank you, Natalie. I feel the same way about you.”
“Are you excited about tonight?”
“It’s an amazing opportunity and I feel so lucky.” I pressed my hand against my chest. “If it wasn’t for you and Adam this wouldn’t be happening.”
“We’d have found a way.” She waved a pointed finger. “Jamie should be buying your dress.”
“No. That would be asking too much.”
“So what do you make of him?”
“Jamie? Not sure,” I said. “I’m flattered he’s asked me to the Oscars. We’ve not spent any time with each other. I imagine he’s very spontaneous and gives little thought to his decision making process.”
“Actors can be shy,” she said. “They have a public demeanor and then a private one. It’ll be interesting to get him on his own.”
I gave a nod and then followed her gaze toward the doorway.
Adam was there, leaning against the doorframe, and he was holding a suit carrier. I smiled his way, hoping my dress was inside it. Then I placed my sandwich back on the plate. “Everything okay” I asked in response to his expression of concern.
“You’re eating carbs,” he said, horrified.
I threw him a reassuring look. “This sandwich will take hours to metabolize. Soon it’ll break down the proteins, carbs, and fats into tiny units; tissue building blocks...”
Adam’s marred expression wasn’t letting up.
I continued, “Only when the Oscar party is over will the fat molecules have stuck to my butt, and by that time I’ll be sitting down.” I threw him a wide smile.
Natalie let out a laugh.
“Lovely,” Adam said, his lips curling into a smile. “Wanna see your dress?”
“Yes please.” I leaped up.
“He’s been working on it non-stop,” Natalie said. “Piper, you’re going to love it.”
He removed the dress from the suit carrier.
The material tumbled out and straightened, revealing a shimmering beaded bodice and below that, as though it had always been there, a gorgeous tulle skirt. Stillness filled the room as all three of us took our time to feast our eyes on the beautiful gown.
I let out a yelp of happiness. “Oh Adam, it’s wonderful.”
He let out a sigh of relief. “Can’t wait to see you in it.”
Nearing him, careful not to touch the material since my hands were still stick
y from my sandwich, I peered closely to admire the workmanship. “You’re so gifted.”
He beamed with pride. “I hope to have my own fashion line one day.”
“And we’ll say we knew you when.” I laughed, shaking my head in awe of his talent.
“Now when they ask you tonight,” Natalie said, “who are you wearing, you can tell them an Adam Ricci.”
“I most certainly will,” I said, though didn’t want to share I was planning on avoiding anyone asking questions that might put the spotlight on me.
“Why don’t you clock out,” Natalie said. “Your shift’s over. I’ll head over to the Baybridge building. I have to pick up a doctor’s ‘return to work’ form from one of the electricians.”
“Is that Jason Hadley, who sprained his ankle last week?” I asked.
“Yes. He’s my last visit for the day.”
“Then we’re all caught up?”
“Yes,” Natalie said. “Go ahead and get ready.”
I turned to Adam again. “It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever worn.”
“Thank you, Piper. I’m so happy you like it.”
“I love it.”
I have my camera,” he sung his reply. “So excited for you.”
“We’re going to be watching the TV tonight,” Natalie said. “Keeping a look out for you.”
“Thank you so much,” I let out a sigh, “for making this happen. For saving the day.”
Adam waved off my appreciation. “It’s our pleasure.”
I headed off toward the changing room that also doubled up as a bathroom. Within minutes I’d taken a refreshing shower and dried off, wrapping my towel snuggly around my body.
Sitting in the corner wicker armchair, I blow-dried my hair using the full-length mirror opposite.
Next, while curling my hair, I delighted in the way each lock spiraled over my shoulders, and wondered why anyone would spend hundreds to have someone else do their hair for them. That money could be saved for, say, a trip to Hawaii, or even a new car, or to pay for a swanky apartment in Maria Del Ray; the ones with the balconies overlooking the boats.
There was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” I said.
Adam poked his head round the door. “How’s it going?”
“Great.” I weaved a strand of hair through my curling iron.
Adam stepped in farther. ““Um... Just got a message from Natalie. She radioed in.” He seemed reluctant to go on. “She’s stuck in an elevator.”
“Oh my goodness,” I said, standing up. “I’m on my way.”
Adam waved off my idea. “Those old elevators are getting stuck all the time. Natalie’s in there with two other guys. They’ll get her out soon.”
“Shouldn’t I go over there?”
“Natalie was insistent I didn’t even tell you, so no.”
“Are you sure?” I pulled the curling iron plug from the wall and rested it safely on the side of the sink to cool.
“Finish getting ready,” he said. “Where’s Jamie meeting you?”
“He’s picking me up here.”
Adam looked surprised.
“Gemstone’s on his way to the Dolby Theatre,” I explained.
“What time are you expecting him?”
“Four.”
Adam frowned.
“It only takes me a few minutes to throw on some makeup,” I said.
He narrowed his stare, his frown deepening.
“What?” I asked.
“You’re going to the Oscars. We’ll have none of this throwing stuff on...stuff.”
“I don’t like the idea of Natalie being trapped in some old contraption.” I reached for my discarded scrubs lying on the floor beneath the sink.
Adam stepped toward me and pulled them out of my hands. “Natalie insisted. “He waved the radio in the air. “If anything changes I promise to tell you.”
“Okay.”
“Go on then. Put your makeup on.” He took my scrubs with him and left, shutting the door behind him.
I rummaged through my Chanel makeup bag, chewing my lip nervously. Doing nothing went against my gut feeling that I should take action.
Adam shouted to me from the other side of the door as though sensing my fretting. “The world will be just fine while you take an evening off to enjoy yourself.”
“Keep me updated,” I called back.
“Will do.”
I applied my ivory tinted Chanel foundation, followed by a touch of powder to tone down the shine, and added a soft hint of blush. Taking pride in the way my new brown eye-shadow looked, having purchased it especially for tonight, I artfully finished off my smoky-eyed look. It was fun to watch my transformation go from girl-next-door to pretty siren.
“Why hello.” I stared at my reflection in the mirror, feigning meeting a member of the press. “I’m with Jamie Hale. No photographs please.” I raised my hand and turned away, batting my eyelids. “We’re merely friends,” I whispered.” Holding my hand up to cover my face, I mimicked hiding from the hundreds of imaginary flashes.
Adam’s hand appeared in the doorway. He was holding a wooden hanger upon which hung the dress. Wearing a giddy smile, I took it from him and secured it carefully on the back of the door.
Easing into my Spanx felt some kind of Harry Houdini trick. Seriously, that man had dislocated a shoulder for his magic act, and as I mused away on this I very nearly dislocated a hip. Still, once on, I marveled at their masterful trick of making me look ten pounds slimmer. Reverently, I removed the dress from the hanger and slipped into it, zipping up the side. The dress fit perfectly. I admired my reflection in the mirror, having never worn such a beautiful gown ever. I’d never seen myself appear so glamorous before.
“How does it look?” Adam called from the other side.
I opened the door and stepped into the corridor.
Spinning around, the tulle whooshed about my legs in a fluid motion, giving the dress a dreamy look.
Adam’s face softened. “Magnifico.” He waved his hands with excitement. “You’re going to stun everyone.”
“Yay.” A lump of nerves gathered in my throat.
“Makeup.” He held his hand out.
I popped back into the bathroom and came out holding the small eye shadow compact. Adam took it from me and opened it. He dipped the miniature brush into the eye shadow and smudged it along my eyelid, using his thumb to soften the hue.
“Where did you learn all this?” I asked, trying not to blink beneath a closed eye.
“I have two sisters. I wear more makeup then them. Comes from my eighties obsession.”
“Like Duran Duran and David Bowie?” I asked.
“Much to my father’s distress, it was Echo and the Bunny Men.”
“Who?” I pulled my face into a goofy frown.
“Yeah, don’t do that again,” he said. “Face nice and relaxed from here on in.”
“Not sure that’s something my face can do,” I said. “It tends to have a life of its own.”
“That’ll be our little secret.”
“Eddie and his Bunny Men.” I slid my finger across my lips like a zip. “That’ll be our secret too.”
“That’s Echo and the Bunny Men.” He raised an eyebrow. “And they’re still going strong and will probably still be going long after that boy band you’re obsessed with fades from fame.”
I scrunched up my nose. “What boy band?”
The doorbell rang.
Adam disappeared to greet whoever had entered.
In the bathroom, I stood in front of the mirror. Looking back at me was a prettier version of Piper. Her smile was so wide she gave away the game that this no ordinary day for the girl in the mirror.
I let out a deep sigh.
Resting my hands on my hips, my confidence soared, and my chin raised a little higher. I felt ready to face the red carpet.
Adam popped his head around the door. “It’s prince charming.”
My gaze snapped bac
k to the mirror and I felt my confidence wane, fearing I’d not be pretty enough for Jamie Hale. After all, wasn’t he used to dating A-listers?
After a couple of deep breaths, and some gentle coaxing from my inner-cheerleader, I withdrew.
There, standing at the end of the corridor, was Jamie Hale, looking perfectly dashing in his tailored black tux. His black hair quaffed to perfection.
He threw me a smile. “Piper, you look lovely.” He lowered his gaze. “I knew you’d pull it off.”
“You look wonderful too,” I said.
“I have a good tailor,” he said, brushing off my remark.
Pinching myself wasn’t an option. Jamie was standing too close and would catch it. Yet I needed to know these unfolding moments were real.
“Who are you wearing?” He lowered his gaze. “Best get used to that question.”
“Adam Ricci,” I said, raising my chin high with pride.
Jamie nodded slowly as though the ring of that name was familiar.
I tried to steady my nerves.
Tonight was about surrendering, trying something new and stepping out of my comfort zone in order to enjoy the biggest adventure of my life.
“Your carriage awaits,” said Jamie.
“Huh?”
“Limo,” he said.
“Ooh.”
I’d only been inside a limo once before and that was for Ellie’s twenty-first birthday celebration. Our group of six girls had driven around Wisconsin, hopping from club to club inside a white, plush limo and feeling like celebrities every time we stepped out of it.
“Shall we?” Jamie gestured to the door.
“Natalie’s kind of tied up right now,” I said. “Can we hang out here for a few minutes?”
Jamie checked his wristwatch. “Sure.”
I tried to smile but my nervous lips twitched instead. “Do you want to sit for a while?”
“I’m fine.”
I hoped the playful side of Jamie would appear, the less serious and more smiley side. Perhaps he was as nervous as me? My blushing cheeks gave away my awkwardness.
Jamie’s gaze took in my hair. “Very pretty. Very natural.”
The emergency phone rang.
Adam, who was in the front reception, answered it. There’d been so many times when that phone had rung and it’d turned out to be a wrong number. I prayed this was one of those times.
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