I hate to even ask, but I need to know before he continues. “How much will the two dresses cost?”
He smiles. “Don’t even worry about it, my sweet girl. For these two events, I will be your very own fairy godfather.”
My eyes fill with tears as he goes to find his tape measure. Gemma hands me a tissue before wiping at her own eyes.
“Isn’t he the best?”
“He really is. How did you meet him?”
She smiles. “It’s a funny story. He came into the Met saying he’d had a dream that he had designed a costume that was going to change the world. Asked if any of us wanted to be his muse. Of course, I said yes.”
“That’s amazing.”
“I’m thinking you’re his muse, Ellie. I’ve never seen him so excited before.”
Bruno comes back, clapping his hands together. “Let’s make some magic.”
I smile. Who can argue with that?
10
Ellie
I spend the next several days working long hours with Gemma and the rest of the team. Sometimes we go for drinks after we leave the Met. Other times Gemma and I visit Bruno, who is truly working magic on my dresses. Not once do I hear from Jasmine or Jafar, which I should be thankful for, but I’m not. It hurts for two very different reasons.
Gemma and I are walking down the street toward our favorite bar when I spot Al leaning against the side of a black car. He smiles as we approach.
“Hey. I was hoping I’d find you here.”
Gemma gives me a small wink. “I’ll see you inside, Ellie.”
When she’s gone, I ask, “How did you know I was going to be here?”
“You probably don’t want to know the answer to that.”
There’s something in his forced smile that reminds me of what he does for a living, and of who he works for. I fight the shiver threatening to creep up my spine.
“You’re probably right.”
“Sorry I haven’t called. I dropped my phone into the Hudson and lost all of my contacts.”
“Dare I even ask what you were doing at the Hudson?”
He makes a motion of zipping his lips, and I laugh. Maybe I imagined the darkness moments ago. Right now, he’s back to his charming self.
“Fair enough. Was there something you needed?”
“Yeah. This.”
He leans forward, brushing his lips against mine. Again, I don’t feel a thing. And that makes me mad. Why can’t my freaking body get the memo that this guy is perfect for me? He’s my age. He’s already friends with my friends. Most importantly, he’s not freaking Malik Jafar! So I kiss him back, trying to see if there’s something between us. This time I feel a little spark. It’s better than nothing.
I smile up at him. “That was nice.”
“Better than nice. Would you be interested in getting drinks?”
I point over my shoulder. “Here?”
“I was thinking of a bar in Jafar’s territory. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes over here, being so close to Queens and all.”