Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“It just works better.” She was already walking away from me. “But don’t worry, everything is going smoothly and there’s a packed house out there who can’t wait for the show. I’m going to get it started.”
Within a couple minutes, the music began, the announcer came on the mic, and the first model stepped in front of the curtain. The cheers that erupted from the audience nearly brought tears to my eyes. And I wasn’t the only one.
“I saw someone crying!” said one of the models as she hurried by to get into her next dress. “Like, in a good way!”
“Really?” My heart was pounding with joy and exhilaration. “That makes me so happy!”
But as we neared the end of the show, I began to get nervous. I was in my dress, which fit like a dream, and one of the assistants was pinning a veil to my hair. “You look beautiful,” she said. “You ready?”
“I think so.” But I wasn’t prepared for what I saw when I turned around. “Dad?”
“Hi, sweetheart.” He came toward me dressed in a black tuxedo, his hair neatly combed, his blue eyes shining. Winnie was beside him.
“You look amazing,” I said, laughing in spite of my nerves—or maybe because of them. “But what are you doing here?”
“We thought it would be a nice touch,” Winnie said gleefully. “A little throwback to your first fashion show.”
“I like my outfit better in this one,” he said as he offered me his arm.
“Me too.” With my heart still jumping, I put my hand on the inside of his arm. “This is so sweet, Dad. Thank you. I’m less nervous with you at my side.”
He smiled. “I’ll always be here for you.”
A moment later, we were being ushered out onto the catwalk. The crowd cheered, and I squeezed my dad’s arm as we slowly made our way to the end of the runway, at which point we were supposed to pause, then turn around and walk back. I was wondering if anyone had explained that to him when suddenly I saw a familiar face at the back of the room.
My jaw dropped.
Zach was moving toward us, also dressed in black tie, his dark eyes locked on mine. The end of the runway had two steps, which he ascended without ever looking away from me. Beneath the music, I could hear the surprised whispers in the audience, who were watching the drama unfold with rapt attention.
My father nodded. “She’s all yours, Zach.”
“Thank you, sir.” They shook hands, and my father went down the steps and took a seat next to Frannie and the twins, who were all in the front row on the left side. Felicity was there too, her phone in front of her like she was recording this.
The volume of the music was lowered, and I looked at Zach. I could feel my heart in my throat. “What’s going on?”
But instead of answering, he went down on one knee.
The audience went wild, and Zach waited until the room quieted a little before speaking. “Millie MacAllister, you captured my heart the moment I saw you. And I never want it back.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small box and opened it up. Within the black velvet interior, a ring sparkled and shone in the lights. “Will you marry me?”
For a couple seconds, I was too stunned to even answer. And when the word yes came out, it was only a whisper.
“Louder!” yelled Winnie.
“Yes!” I shouted to the ceiling. “Yes!”
The crowd erupted once more, and over the speakers, the DJ blasted “Beautiful Day” by U2. But I barely registered any of it because Zach was sliding that gorgeous ring onto my shaking finger. He squeezed my hand and stood up, and I lifted my face to him. When his lips rested lightly on mine, I swear I felt the earth move. When he took my hand and kissed my knuckles, my heart nearly burst. When I glanced down at the ring, it was blurry through my tears.
The other models returned to the runway for a final bow, and the audience members jumped to their feet, whistling and applauding. I looked at my family and touched my heart—they’d taught me to believe in myself. I looked at the man beside me and took his hand—he’d taught me to trust in love. And I looked around this room, where I’d run around as a child with a million dreams, so full today of joy and hope, and felt my bones reverberate with the celebration of life and love and possibility.
The future was bright.
THE END