Chapter 54 Fashion Cruise
Despite being soaked and chilled to the bone, Emily felt uplifted after the sailing trip. The evening provided the perfect antidote as she returned to Byron’s place for a hot shower and a spicy dinner of Indian food.
As they cuddled in their comfy robes, drinking hot milky tea, she felt more relaxed and happy than she had in a long time.
“I think this is a brilliant idea you had about the fashion show,” Byron said, “If you let me help you, I could ensure only trustworthy people come on board.”
“How would you do that?” Emily wondered. “Have your security people search the boat?”
“For a start,” he agreed. “I can also contact some members of the press and give them a personal invitation.”
“Oh, that would be amazing. Thank you!”
“If you want to keep the location of the boat undisclosed, what we could do is have all the guests picked up by limos and taken to the docks. It would make them feel exclusive, and everyone loves a secret rendezvous.”
Emily could picture it. The intrigue of a secret location coupled with a fashion cruise was enough to impress anyone.
“The plan is amazing,” she said, “But the cost would be huge.”
“The cost would be like a drop in the ocean,” he corrected. “Don’t worry, I’ve got my spending budgeted, and I can afford to give a few people car rides.”
“You do so much for me already,” she said, “How can I ever repay you?”
“It’s not a matter of repaying,” he replied, “I’m happy to do these things for you, and I don’t need anything in return.”
“Well, if I had my own boat, I would definitely let you use it,” Emily said.
“I know you would,” he replied, stroking her hair. “But seeing you happy and excited is the only reward I need.”
In the following weeks Emily and Byron started work on the project. They hand-picked each guest, making a total of only fifty people. Everyone was sent invitations, stating that they would be picked up by limo from their home or another location of their choosing and taken on an exclusive fashion cruise.
Soon the RSVPs came in, and nearly everyone accepted.
The boat was a magnificent motorized yacht, much bigger than the one they took sailing. It had a warm and luxurious state room big enough to fit all the guests, and a little raised catwalk was built in the middle.
On the day of the fashion show, Byron and Emily arrived together in his BMW, and his staff were already on board. He had hired a crew of sailors to steer the boat and several waiting staff to serve drinks and food.
Emily was both excited and terrified. She tried to peek into every little corner to make sure Ruby hadn’t somehow materialized or snuck on board beforehand. Byron tried to suppress a grin as he watched her.
“Don’t worry,” he said, “Fred checked the whole boat from bow to stern. There’s no one here who isn’t supposed to be here.”
Emily took a deep breath. Maybe she was a little over-suspicious. “As long as Ruby hasn’t been in contact with anyone who was invited, I think we’re good.”
The guests started arriving in the limos, chattering excitedly as they boarded the vessel. Everyone was pleased to be going on an adventure, with the added bonus of being spoiled in the luxury state room.
Emily let her brother have the microphone and read the highlights of the fashions from notes she prepared. This freed her to manage the whole show, ready to troubleshoot if anything went wrong.
The models had a tiny cabin in which to change, which allowed for only one or two people to be in at a time. This slowed down the pace, but in a way it was much more leisurely and festive. People mingled with each other, drinks in hand, admiring the models who passed within inches of them.
Nick seemed like a pro on the mic, throwing in his own jokes and keeping the audience entertained.
Emily was tense at first, but she could see that it was all working out. People were smiling and discussing the clothes. Everyone was having a good time.
By the middle of the cruise it was just a big party. The guests couldn’t hide their exhilaration, and they all still had big smiles on their faces as the boat returned to the harbor.
Emily said goodbye to everyone, and she was left with Byron. He looked very pleased and gave extra big tips to the staff.
“The best thing about the event was that Ruby had no chance to ruin it,” Emily said with a sigh. She was so tired she could sink into his embrace and fall asleep.
“I knew it would all be okay,” Byron said, holding her in his strong arms.
“You’re right, I should have had more confidence in you.” She squeezed him with all her strength. “I couldn’t have done it without you, captain.”
She was so grateful and touched that Byron had made it all happen. If all he wanted was for them to live together, she almost felt like she would do it just to show him that she cared about him as much as he cared about her. Maybe she wasn’t quite ready, but she could see it happening, and now it didn’t seem frightening but filled with promise.
