Page 23 of Staging Love
“Yeah, me too.” Camilla cupped her cheek and kissed her. “Maybe next year? If this works out and – ”
“Ellie!” The stylist's voice cut through Camilla's words. "We need the family tree topper," she called out. "It should be in a blue velvet box."
While her assistant rushed to locate the elusive tree topper, Camilla and Jade sat on the sofa to observe the chaos.
Jade turned to her and put an arm around her. "Yeah, maybe next year,” she said sweetly, pulling Camilla into the crook of her arm.
Chapter Seventeen
Snowflakes danced in the fading light outside the bedroom window, and Camilla stood transfixed, watching the gentle cascade of white against the darkening sky. The sight was undeniably romantic, and she felt unexpectedly moved by the beauty of it all.
"It's magical, isn't it?" Jade's voice came from behind her.
Camilla turned, a smile playing on her lips. "It really is." Her gaze shifted from the snowy scene outside to the woman before her. Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of Jade in the red satin dress her assistant had bought for Jade.
The dress hugged Jade's curves in all the right places, the bright color a striking contrast against her fair skin and blonde hair. The satin shimmered in the warm light of the bedroom, accentuating every graceful movement as Jade adjusted the thin straps on her shoulders.
Camilla stared at her, mesmerized by the way the fabric draped and clung to Jade's body. She'd always appreciated beauty, of course, but this was different. This was a visceral reaction, a pull she felt deepin her core.
"You look absolutely stunning," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jade's cheeks flushed at the compliment, a shy smile spreading across her face. "Thank you," she said, her eyes meeting Camilla's. "But you... you're breathtaking."
Camilla glanced down at her own outfit - a black slip dress from the 1990s, its sleek lines a stark contrast to Jade's more dramatic gown. The dress was simple, elegant, with thin spaghetti straps and a hem that fell just below her knees. She'd paired it with strappy heels and minimal jewelry, letting the dress speak for itself.
"Thank you," she said. "This dress… it’s special to me."
Jade's eyebrows raised slightly, a question in her eyes.
"It was my mother's," she explained. "Wearing it is a bit of a Christmas tradition for me."
Jade’s expression softened. "Oh, Camilla...”
"After she passed," Camilla continued, her fingers absently tracing the delicate lace trim at the neckline, "I kept a few of her pieces. I wear them on special occasions.”
"That’s a beautiful tradition.” Jade's eyes shimmered with emotion, and she reached out to take Camilla's hand in hers.
Camilla squeezed Jade's hand, feeling a rush of affection. "Don't worry," she said, noting the hint of sadness in Jade's eyes. "It's a good thing, I promise. It makes me feel closer to her."
"Tell me about her?" Jade asked, leading Camilla to sit on the edge of the bed.
Camilla smiled, a bittersweet ache in her chest as memories flooded back. "She was... incredible," she began. "Warm, vibrant, always laughing. She had this ability to make everyone around her feel special, you know?"
Jade nodded, her thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of Camilla's hand.
"She was the heart of our family. Dad was always so focused on the business, but Mom... she made sure we had traditions, that we took time to just be together. This dress," she gestured to her outfit, "she wore it to a Christmas party the year before she got sick. I remember thinking she looked like a movie star."
"I can see where you get your elegance from," Jade said.
Camilla laughed lightly. "Oh, I don't know about that. Mom had a grace I could never match. But she always encouraged me to be myself, to follow my passions. She's the reason I joined the family business, actually. She saw how much I loved it, even as a kid."
"She sounds wonderful," Jade said. "I wish I could have met her."
"Me too," Camilla replied, surprised by how much she meant it. "She would have loved you."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with implication as Camilla realized the depth of what she'd just said. It wasn't just that her mother would have approved of Jade as a friend. No, she would have loved Jade as the person who had captured Camilla's heart.
"What about your dad?" Jade asked. "Your first Christmas without him must be hard."
