Sapphire (Steele Investigations) (25 page)

I notice Kami not from me and she gives me a signal, so I
make my way to the front of the room as she does the same.  We meet at the
microphone we had set up earlier for our speech.

“Everyone seems to be a great time,” I exclaim.

“I know, everyone I’ve spoken to thinks the store is
fantastic,” she replies on a huge grin.

“Okay well let’s get this started.”

Kami taps on her glass to get everyone’s attention and then
takes her place in front of the microphone.

“Ladies and Gentleman, we’d just like to thank you all so
much for coming out tonight to celebrate the Grand Opening of our store.  Rae
and I have dreamed of owning our own shoe and clothing shop since we were
little kids and we are so thrilled that our dream has become a reality.”

I look out at the sea of people as Kami continues her
speech.  I’m amazed so many people have come to support us. 
All these
people think I’m worth the effort
.

 Among our family and friends, I spot Milan, Tom and Jemma
standing together, Linc from Elliott’s work is standing with two more of the
hottest badasses I’ve ever seen, I’m assuming they are Theo and Clint. 
How
did I not come across them when I was mingling?
Ruby is standing with
Harley.  There are also friends from our parents’ social clubs and a few people
I don’t know.  Will is standing with a woman who looks like him so I assume
that’s his sister Eliana, and the two slightly older people near them must be
their parents.

I tune back in to Kami’s speech, a speech I have heard her
recite at least a thousand times in the last twenty four hours, to hear her
finishing up,

“I’ll hand you over to my partner in fashion – Miss Lorraine
Scott – who’d like to say a few words.”  Kami gives an award winning smile and
small bow when our guests clap.

“Firstly, I’d like to reiterate Kami’s appreciation that you
all came out tonight to support us.  I’d also like to thank a bunch of people
individually.  Our interior Designer, Milan, and our builder, Graham who
unfortunately couldn’t be here tonight, both of you have done an amazing job
and far exceeded our expectations, so thank you.  Elliott and Will, thank you
for putting up with our hectic lives the last few months.  Our parents for your
endless support and encouragement; thank you.  We couldn’t have done any of
this without you guys behind us, pushing us forward and fostering our dreams
and hopes.”

I smile big as the crowd applauds and Kami steps back to the
microphone with me.

Together we say, “Ladies and Gentleman, we’d like to
officially welcome you to:

‘Amore de Vie Boutique’
.  We hope you have a great
night.  Enjoy.”

Kami and I step away from the microphone to a generous round
of applause. 

“That went well I think,” I say quietly to Kami as we make
our way toward our families at the back of the room. 

“That was fantastic, girls.  I absolutely love the name. 
It’s French, I know.  But what does it mean?” asks one of our Mothers country
club friends, Mrs. Hawthorn.

“Thank you Mrs. Hawthorn.  It means Love of Life.  And
you’re correct, it is French,” Kami answers politely. 

“Well, well done.  I think you’ve done a fantastic job and I
simply can’t wait to do some shopping in here in the near future,” replies Mrs.
Hawthorn in her overly posh voice.

At that moment, Elliott comes up beside me, sliding his arm
around my waist.  He kisses my hair and murmurs, “That was great,” in my ear.

Mrs. Hawthorn looks between the two of us and then smiles,
but it seems forced.  “Oh, yes, I forgot that your Mothers had mentioned you
two were now dating.”

“Engaged, actually,” Elliott corrects.

She seems shocked and her forced smile slips but she recovers
quickly.  “Congratulations are in order then.  I wish you all the best for the
future.”

“Thank you very much,” I say appreciatively. 

She makes her excuses and saunters off to mingle, Kami tells
us she’s going to find Will and I turn my full attention to Elliott.

“I think Eliana is looking for you, I think she wants to get
together with you and Kami sometime tomorrow and go over the piece she’s
writing on the store.”

“Okay.  I did see her earlier from up the front, so I’ll
make a note to see her before the night is over.”

“Your dream came true,” he says.

“Yeah,
all
my dreams came true,” I reply softly.

He pulls me deep into his arms and gently kisses my lips. 
The world falls away and I feel like I’m in my own little bubble as he
continues to gently touch his mouth to mine.

“I’m so proud of you.  I love you so much, you are the most
worthy person I know,” he says against my lips.

******

It’s twenty past eleven and our guests are long gone.  Kami
and Will have just left, along with Harley who had to get an early night ‘cause
he flies back early tomorrow morning.  Elliott and I are all alone in Amore de
Vie Boutique. 

I look around our store, imagining how proud my Dad would be
of everything I have achieved.  How proud he would be that Kami and I have made
our dreams come true.

I sense Elliott come up behind me, before he wraps his arms
around my waist.  Turning me, so I am facing him, he drops a kiss on my nose. 

“I love you,” I say quietly, looking into his beautiful
sapphire eyes that are so full of love and pride.

“All of this,” he says, gesturing with his chin to the store,
“you deserve it.  You’re worth it.”

“I know,” I reply, smiling.  Because I do.   For the first
time in a long time, I
know
I’m worth it.

******

Thank you so much for reading my book.

Look out for Travis and Jemma’s story coming soon!

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