Page 31 of What Happens This Christmas
We stepped off the escalator and into shoe paradise. We were promptly met by a server holding a silver tray filled with champagne flutes. The corners of my lips turned up in a genuine smile. It was difficult not to consider whether this was what heaven looked like. If I’d died and gone there, then there was absolutely no need for me to return. This was quite possibly my romanticized version of heaven.
I brought the glass to my lips and allowed the bubbles to dance on my tongue while my eyes danced in their own right. “I have never been happier,” I said, speaking my mind without giving it much thought.
She gripped my arm. “I’m happy to be here with you too.”
Oh. She thought I was happy because… I swallowed, letting out a shaky laugh. “That’s a lovely thing,” I replied, clearing my throat.
In the corner of the floor, I spotted the famous French shoe designer chatting with who I only assumed was a personal styling assistant. I had to find a way to converse with him this evening. If I were a child, and this was an amusement park, I’d insist on getting his autograph. Since neither of those things were the case, I’d settle for a nice chat about his designs and maybe get him to personally recommend a new style to me.
My only hope was that Eloise didn’t find a way to embarrass herself. “Just—” I turned around and went to finish my thought, but she was gone.
Great, so my fears had been grounded in reality. I looked around, my gaze bouncing from one area to the next before I became fed up. I didn’t see her, and a pit formed in my stomach.
She was an adult and could take care of herself, but she was also a disaster. She was careless, drew attention to herself, and was completely out of her element here.
Scanning the floor for a second time, this time much slower than the last, I noticed several details I’d missed before. I would have been able to appreciate them more had it been any other time, but not now. Where was Eloise?
Then it happened…there was a big bang, and my stomach rolled over on itself before my heart lurched into my throat.
Eloise.
Following the terrifying sound, I found Eloise on the floor with a former display of shoes. Expensive shoes. Her arms were flailing about as if disconnected from her body.
Oh my heavens.
Suddenly, everyone on the floor was rushing over to her, and I wished I had a blanket I could hide under. The only savinggrace was that because this was a private event, the usual crowds weren’t here, which meant fewer people to see her faux pas.
I casually strolled closer to the scene and narrowed my eyes as a store employee helped her up. “Eloise, are you okay?” I asked, intentionally keeping my voice measured out of fear I might do something wild like overreact and only further draw attention to us.
She nodded and dusted herself off. If her clothes weren’t wrinkled before, they certainly were now. In a word, she looked disheveled. It was a tragedy. “Yeah, I was just—”
“Maybe we should go.” Even as the words left my mouth, I didn’t really mean them. Well, I did because I couldn’t risk something else going awry. But it was the last thing in this world I wanted to do.
She shook her head profusely. “No, no.” I knew she’d never get over the guilt of making me leave, but it was for the best. How could I ever show my face in this store again?
Just then, the designer I was ready to drool over approached us out of the blue. “Mesdames,” he greeted, extending a hand. “I hope everything is all right.”
My eyes grew wide, my breathing labored, and my heart practically thumping out of my chest. He was talking to me. Me. Well, us…but…me.Don’t faint. Don’t faint.
I jutted my hand out, and this charming Adonis actually bent down and kissed my hand. Flush warmed my cheeks at the brush of his lips against my skin. I didn’t think I’d be able to go outside and slip my gloves on out of fear I’d tarnish the spot that was now akin to gold on my body.
He turned to Eloise and did the same, not that my sister would appreciate the moment or gesture.
Proving my point, she curtsied and giggled. Giggled! “Yes, I just had a little slip-a-roo. Thank you for checking on us.”
“Of course,” he responded, guiding her to a settee. Then he snapped his fingers and the stylist approached. “Let’s show these beauties something special from my new collection.” He turned and gestured for me to join them.
Perfect, so I’m an afterthought. This was my invitation, but fine.
Still giggling, Eloise raised her shoulders and looked down. If she was going for bashful, she was clearly missing the boat. And since she couldn’t be bothered to say anything at all, I stepped over.
“You’re too kind,” I gushed, which was the appropriate response. Not whatever Eloise was busy doing.
As we tried on several pairs of shoes, a few other women came and left the floor for the event. None of whom were noteworthy.
“I’m going to hit up the restroom. This cold weather is making me pee a lot more frequently than I usually do. I feel like our grandmother.”
I nodded as she stepped away and gave all of my attention over to the soft-spoken words being exchanged not far from me.
