Someone Like You

Diana looked at her and smiled. “Adam could show up.”

* * *

The snow didn’t last long. The temperature climbed into the mid-fifties melting all vestiges of it away two days after Thanksgiving. By the day of the fashion show, the township was shades of winter gray and brown, but the holiday lights swinging from every streetlight and lamp pole gave the place a festive look.

“What are we doing here?” Quinn asked Adam. The two men had gotten out of Adam’s car and headed for the door. Quinn saw the sign announcing the fashion show. “I get it. Teddy must be here.”

“She is.”

“Can’t the two of you be without the other for a few hours.”

“We can, but why should we?”

“You know this place will be full of women?”

“When did that ever bother you?” Adam asked.

“When they are already engaged.”

The two men went inside. Not only was there to be a fashion show, but a trade show was also in progress. Everything anyone could want or need for a wedding was on display. Adam and Quinn passed china, cookware, photographers, invitations, florists, bakeries and jewelers. Even Realtors, furniture stores and design firms were represented.

Quinn stopped him in front of one display. Adam looked down. Trays of engagement rings gleamed brilliantly against a black velvet background.

“How about that one?” Quinn pointed to a platinum setting with a large stone perched on top of it. It appeared to be floating in the sea of black.

“I’ve been told to never buy an engagement ring without the bride’s approval.”

“Who said that?”

“I did.”

Both turned to find Veronica standing there.

“The last time we met, you were standing in front of a jeweler,” she told Adam. “Hello, Quinn.”

“Veronica, this is a surprise. What are you doing here?” Quinn asked.

She laughed. “Obviously you’ve never been to one of these shows.”

“Guilty,” he said.

“Newlyweds want newness in their lives. They are into decorating. Anything from an apartment to a mansion is open to change. And I’m a decorator.” In her hand was a stack of business cards and flyers. “Our booth is over there.” She pointed to the end of the row. “The other financial managers are at the end of that row next to the wedding gowns and tuxedo groups. You guys got the best location. Everyone goes for the gowns.”

“Financial managers?” Adam questioned.

“Isn’t that why you’re here?” She raised her perfectly arched eyebrows. “People are looking at their long-term financial goals earlier and earlier.” She swung her gaze between the two men. “You mean you’re not here to gain potential clients?”

“We’re here for the fashion show,” Adam said.

“I hope you have tickets.”

“Tickets?” Quinn said.

Veronica laughed. “You guys are so out of your element.”

* * *

Renee was equipped with pins, buttons, tape measure, needle and thread, and extras of everything. She had to take over for Teddy, who had to take over for their model Brianna.

“You look stunning,” Renee told Teddy, who stepped back and admired the wedding gown she was wearing.

Teddy took a long breath. She wasn’t afraid of the runway. She’d been on plenty of runways, although not in the past few years. The mirror in front of her reflected her image. Teddy tried to smile at the tall, thin woman who’d been her right hand for the past three years.

“Renee, you’ve seen hundreds of brides.”

“I’ve never seen you in a gown, only that one picture that used to hang in your office at the other location.”

That photo had been of Teddy in the gown she’d modeled for Diana and sold right off her back. Every now and then she wondered about the woman who bought it and if she was still happily married.

“How much time do we have?” Teddy asked, slipping a ring on her finger. It was a faux diamond engagement ring similar to the ones the other models wore.

“About ten minutes. Practically all the seats are taken. If we can get through the chaos back here, the show should go fine.”

It was always chaotic behind the scenes of the fashion show, but every year it turned out fine. Teddy clung to that thought. Diana would act as emcee as she always did.