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“Okay.” Ike—the stylist Stella had sent to help Colleen get ready for the gala—gave her a final spritz of hairspray. “Now you can look.”
Colleen stood and turned to the large mirrors in the master bathroom, staring at her reflection in wonder. Her yellow gown was stunning; the chiffon was soft as a cloud and the rhinestone belt sparkled under the lights. Her hair was styled in an elaborate low updo.
“Do you like it?” Ike tossed his long dreadlocks over his shoulder as he collected his brushes and combs.
“I love it. There’s no way I would have ever been able to do something like this on my own.”
“Then we’ve done our job.” Tate, the other stylist, crossed his muscled arms across his chest. “I went lighter on the makeup than I usually do, but in that dress, you’ll glow under the lights and in front of the cameras.”
Along with the cameras would be reporters. She lifted her head with confidence and took another look. She was nervous, but she’d be more confident with Finn by her side.
“You look amazing,” Ana said, walking around Colleen. “Just wait till Finn sees you.”
Finn. This last week had been incredible. They were in love and she was embarking on an exciting career opportunity. At the moment, Finn was showering and getting dressed in the guest room. Stella had a limited men’s line and had selected a tuxedo for him.
A knock on the bedroom door startled her out of her thoughts.
“She’ll be right out,” Ana called out.
Ike and Tate gathered their things. “Time for us to leave.”
“I should go, too. Sean and I are meeting my parents for dinner.”
“He must have met them before, right?”
“Only briefly. My parents are old-fashioned. My father insisted that he come home with me for dinner and a not-so-subtle interrogation of his intentions,” Ana said, her voice bubbly with happiness.
Colleen gave Ana a tight hug. “I’m excited for you.” A proposal on the way? She hoped so. Ana was becoming a dear friend.
“Have an awesome night and I’ll see you two tomorrow for brunch at our place.”
“Thanks, Ana.”
Ana gave her a small wave and left.
It was quiet in the loft. Typically, Finn had music playing in the background, but not now. Colleen took a final look in the mirror and spun around. This was an important event for him, and she hoped she’d make him proud. Picking up her clutch purse, she left the room.
Finn stood on the terrace with his hands in his pockets. Even from behind, he took her breath away. His wide shoulders and slim waist were perfection in the tuxedo. When she stepped onto the terrace and he turned around, her heart skipped a beat. His languorous gaze took her in from top to bottom, his lips lifted into his familiar smile.
It was a warm evening with the sounds of the city traffic down below. But here, on Finn’s terrace, they were in their own world.
“You’re stunning,” Finn said, taking her hand. “And you’re wearing yellow.”
“Do I look like a princess?”
“No, you’re not a princess,” he said, cupping her cheek. “You were born to be a queen, and now you’re my queen.”
Colleen blinked back tears. There was that reference to her name that had connected them so many years ago. And despite so many obstacles, here they were together. “Finn,” she said in a whisper.
“Don’t cry. We have so much to celebrate. We’re survivors and we fell in love. There’s nothing we can’t accomplish together.”
“I love you,” she said, running her hands over his lapels. “You look edible in this tux, by the way.”
“And I’m looking forward to peeling off this dress.”
“Let’s go,” she said, giving him a kiss.
Colleen peered out the window of the limo Finn had hired for the evening. The honking was incessant and the total gridlock on the street was frustrating. She was a little concerned they wouldn’t get to the Mayfair Hotel on time.
