On a Ring and A Prayer by Sandra D. Bricker

Author:Sandra D. Bricker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Published: 2015-01-26T00:00:00+00:00

11

Let’s get a bear trap and try it again,” someone shouted from the front door. Aiming toward the corner in the back of the empty store where Jessie and Cynthia Ross sat atop tall canvas and wood director-type chairs, he added, “We’ll be ready in ten, Cyn.”

“Bear trap?” Jessie asked.

“Metal spring clamps with serrated jaws that hold the lights in place,” Cynthia replied without looking up from the interview notes in her hand while a stout woman fussed with her hair.

Amber and Piper stood quietly in the hallway watching as a lanky redhead touched up Jessie’s lipstick.

“Are you ready for this, Jess?” Piper asked her.

“As ready as I can be, I guess.”

“You’ll be fine,” Cynthia interjected. “We’ll start off with a couple of quick questions about your life before you moved to Malibu.” Jessie straightened, but before she could express her concern again, Cynthia raised a hand and wiggled her bright orange fingernails. “I know, I know. You and Piper have both been clear. This is not a riches-to-rags story, I promise. I do want viewers to see that you’re creating something for a demographic to which you once belonged before moving into the Malibu crowd, so you have a unique perspective and can identify with them. Better yet, they’ll identify with you.”

Jessie sighed. “Thank you.”

“We’ve got our establishing shots of the coastline and the boulevard out front. All we’ll need is a nice solid A-roll with you today to put it together. We’ll leave about ninety seconds clear for editing in what we get at the opening next Friday, and it will air Saturday to wrap up the Champagne Wishes series on Fashion Trends. What details have you nailed down for the opening, by the way?”

Jessie cast a quick glance at Amber.

“Oh, it’s going to be epic,” Amber exclaimed. “We’ll have a red carpet on the sidewalk outside with spotlights, and about half a dozen models mingling inside the store wearing Chanel and Valentino and Vera. Oh! And we’re planning a raffle where someone in attendance will win a week’s rental any time before the end of the year; full ensemble—clothes, accessories, and shoes.”

Jessie released the deep breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. If she were a praying person, she mused, she’d thank God above for that night in the ladies’ room when she and Amber had stepped up to the mirror at the same time.

“We’ve sent personal invitations to every stylist in Hollywood, and a bulk event notice to our local demographic,” she continued. “And this afternoon, we have flyers being disseminated all over Melrose Avenue.”

“It seems you’ve thought of everything,” Cynthia said. “Let’s see if I can’t help you cross your Ts.”

“Ready when you are, Cyn.”

The butterflies sitting at the bottom of Jessie’s stomach must have heard the declaration because they began fluttering their wings and taking flight inside her. Cynthia noticed the reaction and touched Jessie on the hand.

“Just follow my lead.”

Jessie did just that as Cynthia sauntered across the length of the empty store.

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