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“That’s the answer I was hoping for.” David squeezed her hand.
Clara was returned to the St. George hotel in plenty of time to change into the beautiful dress she had purchased with the Princess Royal. For the first time since being in the Rose Suite, Clara was able to appreciate the grandeur of the room and huge bathroom. Three large mirrors and ajacuzzi-bathtub made her feel like she was in heaven—except for wrapping her cast in plastic this time so it wouldn’t get wet. She couldn’t wait to spend the night at the ballet with David. Two of her favorite things in the world.
She wore her stage makeup and twisted her hair into a sleek chignon. It was the first hairstyle she learned how to perfect. Not sure what to expect, Clara opted for simple pearl earrings and a small, dainty diamond necklace she typically wore with her normal clothing. The cast was distracting, but the length of the gown hid it from view. For shoes, she wore a single purple satin ballet flat.
Clara dialed Amanda’s phone number while she waited for Michael to pick her up. She promised, regardless of the time, to keep her friend up to date.
“Amanda?” she asked.
“Hey, lady! Let me see how you clean up.” Amanda’s voice sounded anxious and excited.
“I texted you a few pictures. Did you get them?”
“Hold on.” Amanda squealed as she eagerly swiped through the apps on her phone looking for the most recent text message. “Awwww. You look so pretty! You need a tiara now.”
“Funny you should say that.I’m actually using my Princess Aurora pearl clip to hold in my French twist.”
“Can I see the back of the dress? There isn’t really a good shot.”
Clara took another photo in the mirror and texted it away.
“Did you wear some sexy lingerie too?”
“Amanda!” Clara exclaimed, embarrassed, yet not shocked that was something she would ask.
“What? I’m just asking?…”
“TMI.”
“I’m your bestie. You have to be able to share everything with me,” Amanda urged.
Clara replied with a very muffled, “Yes.”
“I knew it!” Clara had to hold the phone more than a foot from her ear.
“Quiet down or half the hotel is going to hear you.”
“You have me on speaker phone, don’t you?” Amanda joked.
“Yes. Am I really that predictable?”
“Yes. Now head to the lobby or you’re going to be late. Promise to call me later. I’ll be stalking the internet for photos of you two tonight.”
Clara disconnected the call and smiled. She looked amazing and felt fantastic. All she needed was David there with her.
11
The First Attack
Michael picked Clara up ten minutes early. David was already inside the car. Clara heard an audible gasp from David.
“You look beautiful, Clar-Bear.” David’s eyes were wide as he eyed her gown and her smile
“You clean up pretty nicely yourself,” Clara joked. David was dressed in a form-fitting, perfectly-tailored, black tuxedo. His pocket square was purple, complimenting her dress. His shoes, highly polished, appeared to be the ones he had shown her in the workshop earlier in the day. “Are those the shoes from your shoemaking desk?”
“Yes, I was hoping you would notice them. The outsides look pretty solid, but I have to admit, I cheated on the insoles to save time. They aren’t cut right. My feet are killing me. My own fault.”
Clara laughed. David warmed her heart every time she saw him. She was prepared to take on the press for him. She hoped he was willing to stand by her too.
