CHAPTER TWENTY
CeCe
My boutique is a flurry of activity as workers move about, setting up for the party. I stand amongst the chaos, my nerves frayed, and I begin to worry I bit off more than I can chew by hosting this damn thing.
Deep breaths, CeCe, you got this.
Of all weekends, why did Jill have to go out of town? I could use her calm, collected personality to help me through this evening.
A commotion happens at my front entrance, yanking me from my inner turmoil.
“Watch where you’re going, asshole. You almost knocked into my wife.”
My head snaps up at the hard voice that belongs to my best friend’s husband. A huge smile takes over my face, my heart exploding at the sight of Ryder and Emily standing in the doorway.
Emily places her hand on Ryder’s chest, calming him before offering the worker an apologetic smile. Eventually, her eyes wander over the boutique until they land on me, a matching smile forming on her face.
We move at the same time, our heels tearing up the ceramic tile until we are locked in a tight hug.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I whisper, holding her close.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Because she knows the definition of loyalty. That’s why she’s my best friend.
When we break apart, I shift my attention over to her brooding husband. “Lookin’ sharp, Secret Agent. Very GQ.”
“Kensington, always a pleasure.” His dry tone states otherwise and makes both Emily and me laugh.
“Where’s my sweet little Rosa?” I ask.
“We left her with Nick and Katelyn for the night,” Emily says, talking about Ryder’s partner and wife. “We weren’t sure how well she’d do with the car ride and this way we have a night to ourselves.” She wraps her arms around her husband’s waist, love shining bright in her eyes.
“I also didn’t want her corrupted by Aunt CeCe’s purse addiction,” Ryder adds with a smirk.
“Aw, what’s wrong? Is seeing all these fabulous handbags bringing back bad memories for you?”
He grunts. “They are fucking lethal.”
“All the more reason why Rosa should have one.”
“She doesn’t need protection. She has her dad for that,” he counters.
I can’t argue there. I never thought I would ever see him look at another person the way he looks at my best friend but I was wrong. That little girl has him wrapped around her finger. I’m so proud of her.
“How about I hook you up with daddy daughter purses?” I suggest. “I bet Michael and Louis would make great friends.”
The unimpressed look that adorns his face has me cutting into laughter.
“Oh come on, I’m just teasing,” I say, giving him a gentle elbow to the ribs. “I’m glad you came, even if it’s only for my best friend.”
“I didn’t just come for her.”
I stare back at him with a dubious look, waiting for whatever insult he’s going to toss my way, but it never comes.
“All joking aside, Kensington, you’ve done good. The place is great, even if it’s not my style.”
My heart warms, surprised by his touching words.
“It is,” Emily adds, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “We’re really proud of you and I know this line is going to be successful just like everything else has been so far.”
Such few words can do wonders for the soul.
“Thanks, guys,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
At that moment, my mom comes striding in the door, looking as radiant as ever in the turquoise Marc Jacobs dress I loaned her to show off for the night.
“There’s my beautiful daughter.” She pulls me into a hug and greets me with a kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, Mom. You look great.”
“Thank you and so do you, but that’s nothing new.”
She’s so modest, I think to myself with a smile.
“Emily, it’s good to see you,” she says, gathering my best friend into her arms.
“You too. It’s been a long time.”
“Too long,” my mother agrees.
They embrace each other for a little longer than necessary and it has emotion welling up inside of me again. For a long time, Emily worried my mother blamed her for my father’s death but it was just the opposite. As sad as we are to have lost my dad, we’re proud that he fought for what’s right and saved my best friend’s life in the process.
My mother moves to Ryder next, shaking his hand. “Mr. Jameson. It’s nice to see you again.”
“You too.”
She turns back to me, grasping my shoulders. “How are you holding up?”
“Nervous but excited,” I tell her truthfully.
“It’s going to be amazing. You are going to shine like you always do,” she says. “Now where is that famous firefighter of yours? Is he here yet?”
“Not yet but he should be soon.”
Thank god for that. I have no doubt that his strong comforting presence next to me is exactly what I need to help me get through this nerve-racking night.
“I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Me too,” Emily adds. “I am dying to meet the man that has managed to steal my best friend’s heart.”
Oh he’s stolen it all right, and if I’m lucky I’m not ever getting it back.
Our conversation ceases when, beyond my mother, I see a man climbing a tall ladder to hang the oversized picture I had framed. A picture that has my heart near bursting out of my chest.
“Honey, what is it?” my mother asks, trying to gauge the tears in my eyes.
When I point over her shoulder, she turns around and gasps at the gold-framed photo of my father.
In loving memory of Paul Kensington.
Do well. Live well. Dress well.
“Oh, CeCe, it’s perfect,” my mother blubbers, digging in her purse for a tissue.
“It really is,” Emily whispers, taking my hand in hers.
We all take a moment of silence, and as I gaze up at my father’s photo, a memory surfaces…
“Daddy!” I run into his arms as fast as my little legs will carry me.
He scoops me up, bringing me in close to his chest. “My princess. How was your day at the palace?”
“Good, but I missed you.”
“Well, I’m home now and back where I belong.”
A tear trickles down my cheek, but for the first time since my father’s death it isn’t a tear of sorrow. It’s a tear of peace and admiration.
I am proud to carry on his name through this boutique and he will be a part of my dreams forever.