Page 54 of Happily Ever After

The two things she’d wanted, the two things she’d been working toward, and here they were, arriving in the same afternoon. Life was so funny sometimes.

“Ready when you are, Blaise,” someone called.

“Just a second.” Blaise sent a quick reply, letting the publisher know she was currently on a shoot (she loved being able to say that) and that she’d be available to talk at any time on Wednesday. That would give her tomorrow to get home and rested after this whirlwind trip.

She hit Send, then put her phone down, squared her shoulders, smoothed the skirt of the set she was wearing, and stepped back into position as the lights were refocused.

She smiled when the camera started clicking again, but it wasn’t hard to do. Not with all these amazing things happening to her.

The shoot wrapped the way it had begun—efficiently, but with a sense of occasion.

Equipment was packed away, lights dimmed, and people congratulated one another with the easy camaraderie that came from a day that had gone right.

Blaise changed back into her own clothes in the little pop-up changing booth. She’d come in slim white jeans, a white tank top, and white Hermes sandals, her only accent of color the scarf Marco had gifted her upon arrival, which she wore as a belt, looped through her jeans.

The studio was a lot quieter without the hum of activity. When she came out, the last few racks of clothes were being rolled away.

Marco had already invited everyone to a restaurant down the street for a wrap party. She loved how enthusiastic he was, and how involved. Marco gave her a big smile when he saw her. “There’s our star.”

She smiled right back at him. “It was easy to be a star in your beautiful clothes. It was a privilege to wear them and a truly great day.”

“Yes, it was a very good day.” He bowed his head in appreciation. “And now, we celebrate!”

She walked with him and the rest of the group out into the warm Miami evening. The sun painted everything gold, making her feel like she was on a movie set. The colors, sounds, and scents of the city added to the feeling. A lowrider went by, the thumping beat making them all smile, despite the heat radiating off the pavement.

This whole experience had been so much fun. Her cheeks were going to ache tomorrow from smiling so much.

The restaurant was close by, tucked just off a busy street, its entrance discreet and polished. They were quickly ushered in.

Marco had reserved a private room, separated from the rest of the place by intricately carved wood and glass doors. In the center of the room, a long rustic wooden table had already been set. Squat, ivory candles were aglow in a meandering line down the middle, the low murmur of the main dining room kept comfortably at a distance by the lilting Spanish guitar being piped in.

A server handed Blaise a glass of champagne as soon as she stepped inside. She took a sip. She’d earned it. It was cold and creamy and went down easily.

Marco waited until everyone was seated before he stood. Blaise was at his right, his wife, Ulna, who’d met them at the restaurant, at his left.

He looked around at the group, happiness reflected in his eyes.

“To a good, amazing, successful day,” he said, lifting his glass. “And to the legendary Blaise Monroe, for trusting us—and for giving us more than we hoped for.”

Glasses clinked. Blaise smiled, genuinely touched. “Thank you,” she said. “It was a pleasure. I mean that.”

Dinner unfolded easily. Platters of delicious food arrived in waves. Conversation drifted from the shoot to travel to food, all of it punctuated by laughter and the occasional shared story. Blaise felt relaxed, buoyed by the attention without being overwhelmed by it.

Partway through the meal, one of the women farther down the table leaned toward Blaise, smiling.

“I remember you,” she said. “From years ago. You were everywhere.”

Blaise laughed softly. “That feels like another lifetime.”

Marco glanced up then. “It’s the same lifetime,” he said. “Just a different chapter.”

The woman nodded. “I can see that. You don’t feel like someone chasing fame. More like…someone gracing the world with their presence again.”

With a quick smile, Blaise considered that. “I’m not sure I’m all that,” she said. “But I’m trying to say yes to the right things.”

Marco lifted his glass slightly. “Exactly why this works. My clothes are the right things.”

That got a laugh and the conversation drifted on after that, but Blaise felt the moment remain comfortably within her.