Page 123 of Road Trip to Forever
“Okay,” Lola whispers. “Let’s do it.”
“Yeah?” I ask, my lips stretching into a grin.
“Yeah,” she says firmly, meeting my beam with one of her own. “Hell yeah. Why not? This is the trip of firsts. Let’s keep it going.”
I scoop her into my arms and spin her around. “Let’s keep it going,” I agree.
“Do you promise to tell me if you feel uncomfortable?”
It’s cute how much she’s worrying, as if I wouldn’t go to the ends of the earth to make her happy, no questions asked.
I kiss her forehead and say, “I promise.”
I love you.
I love you. I love you. I love you.
I want to scream it so every model, every volunteer, every person out in the audience can hear the declaration, but it’s not the time.
Not yet.
First, I’ve got to get the clothes created by the woman of my dreams down the runway for everyone to see. Then I can pour my heart out to her.
One step at a time.
* * *
I thought helpingLola backstage yesterday was chaotic, but today is even more of a whirlwind. There’s a laundry list of tasks and not enough time to accomplish even half of them.
Racks of clothes are pulled from one end of the room to the other. Mirrors and vanities are set up with makeup I can’t pronounce and products I don’t know the purpose of. I get pulled in a dozen different directions as my hair gets combed with a thick brush. My cheeks get coated in something sticky. A hanger is thrust my way as someone takes off my shirt.
I’m about to slip the dark slacks on over my briefs when I see a safety pin secret through the loophole, a handwritten note attached to it.
Pattycakes,
Thank you will never be sufficient. You are my knight in shining armor and the most wonderful man. I’m lucky to be yours and I’m thankful every day you’re mine.
Xoxo,
L
I grin and tuck the paper in my pocket like a winning lottery ticket. It’s worth more than a million bucks.
“Patrick,” Janet calls out. I turn to look at her as I slide the blazer over my shoulders. I remember this design, with the navy-blue color and gold buttons. It fits me like a glove, hugging my body like it was made for me. Maybe Lola designed it specifically with me in mind. “How are you doing?”
“Good.” I make my way over to her, dodging a line of men heading for the runway. They glance at me, confused, and I nod in greeting. Glad to know I look ridiculously out of place.
“I’m glad you made the trip down with Lola. Not because you’re saving our butts by walking in the show, but because a supportive partner is important in this business,” she says as we head toward the cluster of models I’m joining. “She’s extremely talented.”
“I’d cheer for her no matter what job she wanted to do,” I say earnestly.
“I can tell.” Janet winks as we arrive at the tall black curtain hanging from steel metal rods. A thick piece of fabric is all that separates me from the thousands of people in the audience. I was out there yesterday and it was madness, with cheering and applause and whistling. I don’t imagine today will be any different, and I take a deep breath. “Ready?”
I nod, lifting my chin with as much determination as I can muster. I’m sweating buckets underneath my shirt, nervous about messing anything up for Lola. The guy in front of me turns around and says something about tape and tempo and keeping my distance so I don’t run anyone over or throw off the pace. I nod again, halfway confident I understand what he was saying, and rub my palms over my thighs.
“Yeah,” I say, hoping there’s conviction behind the word. It’s too late to back out now. I’m committed to seeing this all the way through, even if that means potentially falling on my face and becoming some video the kids at school will see.
I glance around, trying to spot Lola, but she’s nowhere to be seen. She disappeared ten minutes ago after she kissed my cheek and fixed a tie for the man at the back of our line. I wish she were here to tell me I’m going to be fine, but I’ll have to settle for reassurances from people I’ve never met before.
