William snorts and sits down on the beige Victorian-style chaise at the foot of my bed. The man is dressed impeccably in his black tux with his sandy blond hair combed perfectly to the side. We’re the same age and I always tell him he looks like a young Leonardo DiCaprio. His golden hazel eyes stare mischievously at me. “If it’s not, then there’s a problem. There are people everywhere downstairs. I even saw that one singer from the Backstreet Boys. Totally hot if you ask me.” He winks. “You’ll have to make some introductions.”
He says it, but I can still see the pain in his eyes. He’s still heartbroken from his breakup with Andres. “I’ll introduce you to everyone I know,” I promise him. There are some men I know who would be perfect for him.
When I met William in New York, it was at one of the poshest restaurants in the city while I attended Fashion Week. Little did I know that when I sat down at the bar to order a drink that I’d be sitting next to one of the famous up and coming designers. I loved William’s designs. We hit it off right from the beginning and he introduced me to his boyfriend who owned the restaurant. Now that they aren’t together anymore, he decided to take me up on my offer and stay in Kentucky for a while to design a new line of clothes, all geared toward the derby style. I have no doubt all the ladies will be lining up to get their own dresses made after they see the ones he designed for me.
William helps me into my light pink, lacy sheath gown and zips up the back. I have a pink headpiece to match that sits to the side of my head with bright pink feathers. It’s the first hat William has ever designed, and I love it.
I take one last look in the mirror just as a knock sounds on my door. “Come in,” I call out.
The door opens slightly, and my father sticks his head in. His eyes widen when he sees me, and he quickly steps in. “Oh, pumpkin, you look beautiful.”
Holding out my arms, I walk over and hug him. “Thanks, Daddy. You look amazing yourself.” My father has always been an icon in the derby circuit, well-respected and a charming businessman. With his salt and pepper hair and bright green eyes, the man has always been able to get his way with just one look. Everyone says I’m the same way, that I have the same charm.
He kisses my cheek. “You ready? Everyone’s waiting on you.”
“As I’ll ever be,” I reply as my heart beats so fast I can hear it in my ears. He lets me go and shakes William’s hand. There was a time when he hoped there was more to mine and William’s relationship, but I burst his bubble when I told him I wasn’t William’s type.
My father walks to the door and smiles at me before exiting. William takes my arm and links it with his. “Let’s go, my darling.” As soon as we’re out the door, I can hear all the commotion downstairs. William leans in close. “Now don’t let me spoil the night for you. Your dad told me about all the men who look forward to dancing with you at these events. He doesn’t want them thinking you’re taken.”
I roll my eyes. “I see it as you saving me. Whatever you do, don’t leave my side. You’re my wingman tonight.”
Brows furrowed, he jerks his attention my way. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Actually, there is, but there’s no time to explain. As soon as we reach the staircase, all eyes are on us. The foyer is filled with reporters and cameras. Lights flash all around us and I hold onto William’s arm, pulling him close. “I’ll tell you later,” I say through my teeth as I smile.
William’s grin widens. “Oh good Lord. Can’t wait to hear this.”
Arm in arm, we take the stairs together. Once at the bottom, we’re bombarded with comments and questions. William and I pose together for the pictures and he holds me close. Hopefully, having it look like we’re together will take the media’s focus away from me finding the perfect bachelor. Over the years, I’ve dreaded seeing all the pictures with me and various other men with the headlines reading … Which One Will She Choose? It’s like I’m on The Bachelorette trying to find my soulmate in one weeklong carnival of chaos.
One of the reporters, a woman named Charlotte, holds a microphone up to me. She works for one of the local news stations and has interviewed me every year for the past five years. She’s always been nice and reminds me so much of my mother with her blonde hair and kind smile. It makes me miss my mother all over again. Cancer took her away from me last year.