- Ella -
There was actually a red carpet when we showed up. It ran all the way from the doors of the hotel to the curb.
“Don’t just sit there.” My Mom nudged me from the other side of the cab. “Get out already.”
“Oh right. Sorry.” I thanked the driver and as I opened the door, I realized that getting out of the car required all of my concentration. My shoes were so high I’d avoided wearing them ever since I bought them, and I had absolutely no faith in my new strapless bra. I pulled my dress up while my Mom got out of the cab after me.
“Don’t yank your dress like that.”
“Leave me alone,” I said. “If I’m going to flash everyone, it’s going to be at the end of the party.”
She linked her arm in mine and we walked towards the door. Between her bad hips and my proficiency in high heels, I was worried we might never reach the entrance, but when we did, two doormen in immaculate suits opened the double doors for us. As soon as we stepped inside, I felt warmed by the champagne colored entry way. It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut while I looked around. Right in front of us was the largest bouquet of flowers I’d ever seen in my life. In fact, I don’t think bouquet is even the right word. It was like a garden growing out of the middle of the table.
“Look at that chandelier,” my Mom whispered to me as we followed the people in front of us. “It’s bigger than my car.”
She was right. The chandelier was not only bigger than her car, it was prettier, too. And it didn’t look like any of its lights were out.
I assumed we were going in the right direction because the music was getting louder. Of course, it wasn’t like any music I’d heard recently in the college bars I was used to going to. It sounded like a live jazz band.
“Good evening,” a young woman said when we’d reached the table beside the open doors. “Can I have your name, please?”
My Mom cleared her throat. “Barbara Riley.”
The woman looked down at a clipboard in front of her and then up at me.
“And this is my daughter Ella. She’s my plus one.”
“Table 16,” the woman said with a smile. “That’ll be two from the end on the right side of the room.”
“Thanks,” I said, deciding not to make a joke about needing a map. Which was a good thing, too, because when I saw how big the ballroom was, she might have thought I was serious. I couldn’t believe how beautiful everything looked from the table settings to the flower arrangements. Everything was so professional, so flawless. It was exactly the kind of party I hoped I would be able to organize someday.
“Aren’t you glad you came?” My Mom asked as she took her seat.
“I am, yeah. This is fabulous.” I hung my shawl on the back of my chair and located the bar. “Can I get you a drink?”
“I’m fine with water-”
“Have a drink, Mom.”
She smiled. “Okay.”
“What would you like?”
“Something sweet.”
“Right.”
“And not too strong.”
“I’m on it.”
I made my way across the dance floor towards the bar and ordered two glasses of champagne. I normally only drank cheap champagne on New Years’, but this was a special occasion. While I waited for the drinks I noticed two men talking at the end of the bar. One of them had his back to me but the other was really handsome. He had one of those chiseled faces that looked good in any light.
I looked back across the dance floor to make sure my Mom was okay. She looked like she was chatting to some people that had just arrived at our table.
“Hello.”
I jumped.
“Sorry,” the handsome man said. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s okay- I just- I thought you were- over there.”
He smiled. “I was, and I’m flattered that you noticed me, too.”
I felt myself blush.
“What brings you here tonight?”
“My Mother is a friend of Mr. Abbott’s. I’m her plus one.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. He’s done a lot to help her charity.”
“And what charity is that?”
“The Nest. They help the homeless.”
“I’ll be sure to remember that.” He leaned against the bar with his elbow and faced me. His chest was so broad it made the entire room behind him disappear. “And what do you do?”
“I’m actually just between jobs right now. I’m hoping to find something more relevant to my major.” The bartender put two glasses of champagne on the bar in front of me. “Thanks.” I turned towards the handsome man and whispered. “Is this the kind of place where you leave a tip?”
He shook his head. “No. I think you’re supposed to save your money for the charity raffle.”
“Right, thanks.”
“Plus, I heard Mr. Abbott pays his staff more than fairly.”
“Of course. I didn’t mean any offense.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He lifted a finger at the bartender. “What did you say you studied?”
“Hospitality and event management.”
“Wow.” He looked around. “What do you think of this party so far then?”
“It’s okay,” I lied. “I’ve been to more impressive ones, but this is definitely up there.”
His eyes sparkled for a moment. “Maybe it’ll get better after a few drinks.”
“Hopefully.”
The bartender set a drink down in front of the handsome man who acknowledged him with a single nod before lifting his clear beverage and gesturing towards my glass.
“What are we toasting to?” I asked.
“To you finding a job before midnight.”
I laughed. “I like your optimism.”
“I like your eyes.”
I felt a lump in my throat, but I was able to wash it down with champagne.
“That’s the best champagne I’ve ever had,” I said, tilting the glass in front of me.
“I’m glad you like it.” He raised his hand towards the bartender. “Jaime, will you send a bottle of Veuve over to Table 16?”
“Of course, sir.”
I stared at him. “How did you kno-”
He stuck his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Plus One.”
“Ella,” I said, reaching for his open palm. As he shook my hand, I swear it felt like he was pulling me towards him, and I teetered on my tip toes as I tried to stand my ground. “Nice to meet you, too…”
“Will. And I assure you the pleasure is all mine. Now if you’ll excuse me for a moment.”
He walked past me and I turned to watch him. His suit pulled perfectly between his shoulders with every step as he made his way towards a woman with a headset and a clipboard at the end of the bar. She looked slightly impatient as if she’d been trying to get his attention for a while, but I hadn’t even noticed him see her. It had felt like his eyes had been on me the whole time.
I floated back to the table in a daze.
“Are you okay?” my Mom asked. “You look… flushed.”
“I’m fine.”
“Was that William you were talking to?”
“I think so.” I pulled my chair out. “He’s going to send a bottle of champagne to our table.”
“I told you he was lovely, didn’t I? Didn’t I tell you he was lovely?”
“You did.” I sat in my seat and took another sip of champagne. “I thought he’d be older.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I thought he’d be old.”
“He’s too old for you.”
“He’s not too anything for me.”
She squinted at me. “Very funny.”
“He does look really young, though.”
“Of course he does,” she said. “When you have as much money as he does, what do you need wrinkles for?”