La Vie en Rose {Life in Pink} (46 page)

Rarity grudgingly put on her pink T and Emma—prepared and waiting—snapped a picture. “That’s going online.”

“I hate you,” Rarity grumbled, but smiled as she rolled her eyes. “Let’s do this.”

On their journey to the starting line they were treated to incredible hospitality. People fed them, hydrated them, gave them high fives, colored their hair, and pinned and painted them with pink flair. Even Marla got a pink bandana.

“I look like the Easter Bunny threw up on me,” Rarity laughed.

Emma shook her head. “Admit it. It’s not that bad.”

“It’s not. I think I’m tapping into some deep-seated girl part of me I’ve been repressing since I started playing with Riley’s GI Joe figures.”

“There’s a lady over there giving away oatmeal cookies the size of my face,” Riley interrupted. “We need to get one before they’re all gone.”

Emma glanced at the crowd moving toward the main tent. “But people are lining up.”

“I really need that cookie, Emma!”

She laughed. “Okay. Rarity, we’ll meet you down there,” she called as he dragged her toward the big cookie. He was so happy once he had it in his hands and the jerk only gave her a teeny, tiny bite.

The race started with a flood of bodies moving through the streets of Manhattan like the bulls moving through Spain. Thankfully, the pace was much slower.

Men, women, seniors, pets, and children all walked and chatted. By the end of the first mile Emma had shared bits of her story with a few new friends and heard parts of their stories as well.

Organizers cheered them on and music played throughout. The mood never lulled. Rest stops were positioned at various intervals and water was distributed frequently.

As the sun beamed overhead her skin slicked with sweat. Rarity and Riley didn’t seem quite as winded as her, but she was proud to be keeping pace with the others. The humidity was so thick, she had one of those strange moments she appreciated being just past bald, because her old hair would have been a gigantic frizz ball in this weather.

During the second mile, the gods must have taken pity on them. The sun continued to beam overhead, but with the heat came cooling drops of rain. The drizzle didn’t cease until they crossed the third mile. Her clothing was saturated and hanging sloppily from her frame. All the face paint had dribbled into smears, tinting the collars of their shirts.

“We’re almost there,” Riley yelled over the pumping music.

She glanced at Rarity who was wearing an expression of determination and pride, her sprayed pink hair washing down her neck in a trail of sweat and rain. Emma’s heart pinched.

For all of her stubbornness and indifference, Rarity was just as fragile as the rest of them. To Rarity’s way of thinking, she was never very good at being a girl, but that didn’t excuse her from the perils. When it came to this, they were all on the same team.

As the finish came into view, something came over Emma, and she did something she hadn’t done in a year. She ran. Her legs ached and her sneakers squished with every step, but she crossed that line no matter how much she wanted to collapse.

She did it. She made it to the other side.

They were each given medals of achievement. Even Marla got a pin for her collar. As she turned and stared back at the people still finishing, the entire event suddenly took her breath away. Not because she was winded or tired, but because it was absolutely beautiful.

Her throat tightened as she rubbed a hand over her short curls and laughed to herself. Every person that passed—and not a single one frowning—overwhelmed her.

She didn’t care about the blister on her foot anymore than the spectators on the sidelines cared about the rain. The devotion and love was palpable. Her chin trembled as she worked to process such a remarkable sight. So many strangers united to embrace hope. It was simply awesome to be a part of such solidarity after going through something as isolating as cancer.

“I got you a water,” Riley said as he jogged over. “Hey, you okay?”

She nodded and wiped her eyes. “I’m fabulous.” And she was.

Looking at the bottle, she laughed as her fingers easily untwisted the cap, recalling a day when she lacked the strength. That plastic lid was her undoing as she held the suddenly significant cap out to him and smiled through her tears. “I did it.”

“Yeah, you did.” He grinned and pulled her in for a top of the line Riley hug. “You did great, cakes.”

Did he understand? Did he know that a few months ago her mouth had burned like acid and she had to work up the strength to merely ask her mother to open her water bottle? She believed he did. She believed he truly got how monumental this day was for her.

If anyone understood cancer, it was those who loved its victims. Maybe they understood it more than the people suffering. Riley had memories she couldn’t recall, moments when she was too lost to the pain and medication to view reality with lucid accuracy. But he was there through all of it, always by her side.

Her arms tightened around him. “You’re my rock, Riley,” she whispered.

He stilled as if her words triggered something monumental then he tipped his head, his gaze skating to the ground as a smile pulled at his lips. He looked at her, such genuine happiness in his eyes. “I love you, Emma.”

She wasn’t sure why, but it was a significant moment, a moment of clarity and understanding. It was too much to process surrounded by so many people. Clearing her throat, she pulled at her damp curls. “I must look scary.”

“You look beautiful.”

She laughed and wrung out her shirt. His unwavering reassurance was as dependable as rain. No matter what, it would always come. “Where’s your sister?”

He pointed. “She’s making friends.”

Rarity gathered with a group of young women all decked out in pink. Someone gave her a long fuchsia wig as they posed for pictures. She had a feeling her friend would be back the next time a walk came around, pink laces tied in little bows.

“Emma?”

She turned and stepped back as her system took a shock, the muscles in her face going instantly numb. “Becket?” Wow, she hadn’t thought of him in ages. Her gaze drifted to the buildings surrounding them. They’d finished just outside of his complex.

“Your hair...” he glanced at all the people as if just noticing an event was taking place.

She laughed and nervously brushed a hand over her head. “Yeah.” Feeling a bit exposed, she said, “I went short last January.”

“I heard...you were sick.”

“I was, but I’m doing great today.” The longer she looked at him the sillier it seemed to be self-conscious. Who was Becket? He was no more special than anyone else there. “How are you?”

He seemed thrown off by her high spirit. “I’m...the same. Good.”

“Good. How’s Goldie?” The question didn’t hurt like it might have a few months ago.

His attention dropped to her chest and darted back to her face. “Um, Goldie’s good. We’re actually getting married next year.”

She smiled, understanding this other woman was a better match for him than she’d ever been. Besides, she found her perfect match. “I’m glad you’re happy, Becket.”

He looked at her left hand. “You’re engaged.”

“Yup. We say ‘I do’ in two months.”

“Wow.” He stared at her like a puzzle he couldn’t solve. Had he always viewed her that way?

“You seem so happy,” he observed.

“I am. I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”

“Becket.” They turned as Goldie, with her familiar tinted tan and platinum blonde hair, approached. She was indeed pretty. Emma could admire her beauty without deducting points from her own esteem now.

“I don’t believe we’ve been officially introduced. I’m Emma. This is my fiancé, Riley.”

“Nice to meet you, Emma. I’m Goldie.”

“Well, we should probably be going,” Becket said, appearing uncomfortable in the presence of both his future wife and ex-fiancée.

“It was nice meeting you,” Goldie smiled, her teeth perfect and white as snow.

“You too. Congrats on the engagement.” Once they disappeared in the crowd she faced Riley. “Wow. I didn’t feel
anything
when I saw them. I mean
nothing.
Not anger, jealousy, insecurity. I just...feel happy.”

“That’s awesome, cakes.”

Rarity skipped over and slung her arm over her brother’s shoulders. “Hey, did I just see Becket and Barbie?”

“Yeah.”

“Man,” Rarity shook her head. “I am so glad you dodged that bullet. Let’s go eat. I’m starved.”

They went to lunch at a local pub and overheard the bartender talking about a building in his neighborhood that would likely be torn down because the buyer backed out at the last minute. Riley glommed onto the conversation and asked questions beyond the bartender’s knowledge, so the man made some calls and got Riley the realtor’s phone number.

On the cab ride home, they took a detour past the property. It was in a nice location, but the building was in need of some love and care. As they lay in bed that night, Riley seemed unable to sleep.

“The price was lowered again last week. I don’t think we’ll have an issue getting the sale so long as we want it.”

She nestled into his side. “Did you plan on buying a place that would need that many renovations?”

He shrugged and bit his thumbnail, something he only did when nervous. “I didn’t know what we’d find. I figured wherever we opened we’d have to paint and stuff, but this is a lot more than anything the three of us can do on our own.”

“You could hire a contractor.” He had the money.

“I know. I just want to be smart about our spending.”

“It’s
your
money, Riley.”

Realizing he was biting his nail, he tucked it under the covers and faced her. “It’s ours. This money’s for us, Em, our future, our family.”

They’d promised not to discuss children until she was past the three-year mark. A lot could happen to survivors during those first couple years of remission. “I think if you want this place you should buy it. This is your dream and I want to see it come true.”

He let out a big breath. “I’m nervous. I don’t know if I can handle all this on my own. I mean, I’m excited for the opportunity, but this is big. Like, after this, I might have to buy a suit for meetings and stuff. I don’t know if I can be that guy.”

Her fingers laced with his. “You just have to be you. You’ve always had a gift for drawing people in, Riley. You’re charismatic and have a talent for putting people at ease. You don’t need to change the way you dress to impress people. Just let them see the real you and they’ll be impressed enough.”

His hand tightened around hers. “Will you come with me tomorrow?”

“Of course. We’re partners.”

He nodded and smiled. “Syrup and pancakes.”

The following day they went to visit what might be their future headquarters. It was exciting and scary.

Riley showed a side of himself she never saw before. Perhaps his business sense came from some funky rich people gene. Every time he asked an important question she’d never think to ask, he impressed her. Aptitude was a very sexy thing.

When they returned home, no one seemed willing to speak first. Lexi was waiting at the loft, anxious to hear how it went. “So... How was it?”

Rarity’s lips pursed around a poorly hidden smirk as she glanced at Emma. Unsure why no one was talking, she looked to Riley, who paced in the kitchen, head down in deep thought. Emma shrugged. “I thought it was great. The building definitely has potential.”

Rarity exhaled. “I totally agree. I loved the exposed ceilings. There’s enough room to make a second floor, like a loft. And there’s an awesome back wing to store overhead.”

They looked at Riley, who paused in his pacing and blinked at them. “What?”

Emma laughed. “Did you like it?”

He bit his thumb. Finally he said, “I think it’s perfect.” They all cheered, fumbling together in an inelegant hug tackle.

“Does that mean we’re buying it?” Rarity asked.

“All that’s missing is the name. I’m going to email the realtor in a few minutes.”

The loft overflowed with exciting energy and they celebrated. Lexi and Rarity prepared a delicious meal and they toasted to their future venture while brainstorming on the perfect name for their operation. Though they were all a bit nervous, it was a magnificent feeling to have a sense of purpose. It was the first time in a long time that Emma allowed herself to look beyond a few months into the future.

Over the passing weeks, Rarity stayed busy gathering information about food and safety laws while looking into various education programs for herself. Emma’s department was the branding and marketing. It was all overwhelming and surreal, but incredibly rewarding each time a decision was made.

One of the hardest decisions was coming up with the perfect name. It had been an ongoing debate, trying to find the perfect title that would encompass all they planned to do.

“Pure Foods,” Riley suggested.

“Too generic and people might not get that we have more than food,” Rarity argued, vetoing another choice.

“Earth to table?” Emma proposed.

“That’s nice, but not perfect.”

They continued brainstorming. “Customers should know it’s more than food and all natural,” Rarity reminded. “We really need to get the point across that everything we sell is for the body and not bad for it. Back to basics, you know? I feel like we’re complicating it and we just need something simple so they know it’s pure.”

“Naked Goods,” Emma said. “Au naturel. No additives.”

They turned to her and both smiled, resembling each other in one of those strange moments she was reminded they were siblings. “That’s great, toots. What do you think, Ri?”

“Who doesn’t love naked?”

Rarity jotted down the name. “Naked Goods. Well, I never thought we’d use sex appeal to sell our products, but it works.”

“Make it good with Naked Goods,” Riley said, pitching his voice like a little jingle. “Labeled to be understood.”

And so it was decided. Their company would be called Naked Goods. The most bizarre moment came on July thirteenth, when they signed the deed for the future Naked Goods.