From Heartbreak to Mate

Chapter 9

“And we are done!” Hailey exclaimed as she zipped the back of Carissa’s dress.

Carissa stood in front of the full-length mirror in her room, stunned into silence by what she saw. She was used to wearing outfits that were functional over being attractive. It was what she needed, working with five and six-year-olds all day. Today, she could say that she was gorgeous.

Her thick, rich brown curls cascaded down her back to her waist. Hailey had used a few bobby pins to pull her hair back on one side and accentuate the side part, making it look even fuller. The plum smoky eye makeup was more subtle than she had expected, yet it made the green in her hazel eyes glow. The fit of the green dress showed off her curves, and the black heels made her long legs look even longer. Carissa had no idea she could look this good.

“You’re a witch,” Carissa finally laughed. “That is the only explanation for how you can make me look like this. You are a witch, and you used your magic to do this. Will I turn back into my normal self at midnight? If so, tell me now. That way, I can hide and avoid scaring everyone at the party.”

“Oh, stop that!” Hailey laughed. I am not a witch, and you do not need magic to look like this. You are what I call a natural beauty. Even if you did your usual moisturizer and lip balm routine, you would still look amazing.”

A light knock on the door made the women pause.

“Who is it?” Hailey called out.

“Your father,” John chuckled from the hallway.

Hailey hurried over to open the door. She stepped back and let John inside, closing the door behind him. John took in his daughter, smiling at her and nodding approvingly. It was the same gesture he made each time Hailey was ready to make her grand entrance into one of his parties. John looked at Carissa and smiled, placing his hand over his heart.

“You are both beautiful. Absolutely stunning,” John said with pride. “Carrie, we have to make sure there are plenty of pictures of you tonight for your parents. They will be kicking themselves for missing tonight. With enough pictures, maybe they won’t feel as bad about it.”

“You don’t think my dress is too much?” Hailey asked innocently as she turned, displaying everything that the bright red dress showcased.

“As much as I hate to admit that my little girl has grown into a beautiful young woman, I will say that the dress suits you, Hailey,” John said, smiling at his daughter. He shook his head a little as sadness crept into his voice. “Until now, I don’t think I have ever noticed how much you look like your mother. Red was always her favorite color, just like you.”

Hailey sniffed, “You have to stop before you make me cry.” Hailey dabbed at her eyes and continued, “I worked way too hard getting my makeup just right to end up sobbing and turning into a big slobbery mess.”

John chuckled and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ll stop the sappy stuff. I wanted to let you know that Alice will be back with Drew in a few minutes, and that Kyle is roaming around the house. I’m not exactly sure because everyone I have spoken with found a reason for him to go somewhere else. Guests are already arriving, so I will be busy. However, Carrie, I do have something for you in my office. Your parents asked me to pick it up and give it to you for tonight. I’m sorry for not doing that sooner.”

“That’s OK,” Carissa said with a smile. “If you have time, we can go to your office now, and Hailey can start mingling with the guests. Kyle got his bag from the room a while ago, so he is probably changing in one of the bathrooms if he hasn’t changed already.”

“He has been in his suit for at least the past hour,” John said with a frown. “That kept him from helping in the kitchen or doing much else but stand around and watch.”

“I’m sorry, John. I don’t know what has gotten into him,” Carissa sighed, apologizing for Kyle.

“Try not to worry yourself about it, Carrie,” John said with a wave of his hand. “You are not responsible for Kyle or his actions.”

“I still feel bad about it,” Carissa frowned.

“Don’t,” Hailey echoed. “Kyle is a big boy and should know how to act by now. Why don’t you two go on to Dad’s office for your gift? I’ll be right behind you. I just want to do a final check of my lipstick and another spritz of perfume.” She giggled, “Besides, we all know it will take you at least twenty minutes to work your way through the guests to get to your office.”

John chuckled as he offered his elbow to Carissa. “Shall we, my dear? We both know Hailey’s right. We will be fighting our way to the other side of the house to get to my office.”

“Let’s!” Carissa laughed as she took his elbow.

“I’ll see you two in a few minutes!” Hailey called after them.

-

Hailey had been right. It took John and Carissa over fifteen minutes to reach his office. Carissa was surprised at how many guests had already arrived. She was even more astonished that, with each guest who waylaid them, John introduced her as Deanna and Wesley Young’s daughter, Carissa, with the same pride an uncle would.

John chuckled as he opened his office door and waved Carissa inside. He closed it behind them, shaking his head as he made his way to his desk.

“I think I need a nap after that,” Carissa grinned as John went to his desk. “I’m not sure the last time I shook that many hands. If five-year-olds count, it would have been the first day of school.”

“I’m not sure that counts for most, but it would to me,” John said as he opened his desk drawer and pulled out a box wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. “I helped your parents pick this out. They looked for something where they live, but couldn’t find what they were looking for. After lots of pictures messaged back and forth, and a very patient jeweler, we finally got it right. I hope you like it. We all do.”

Carissa took the box from John, who smiled at her expectantly. She opened it to find a black velvet box inside. Carissa held the velvet in her hands, pausing before she opened it. When she flipped the hinged lid open, she gasped. Inside was a gold hair comb. It was decorated with delicate vines and filigree. It looked like something from a fairy tale.

“John, it’s beautiful! I love it!” Carissa said, feeling her eyes fill with tears. “Will you help me put it in my hair? It is perfect to slip in where Hailey put the bobby pins.”

“I would be honored,” John said.

John carefully took the jewelry from the box and placed it in her hair. He made sure it was held in place tightly with Carissa’s hair and the pins already in it from Hailey’s styling. John stepped back and looked at Carissa again.

“I do wish your parents were here to see you tonight,” John sighed. “Not only would they be here to enjoy the fun, but they could help me process how my Hailey is all grown up. It feels like only yesterday that you two were running around this house, playing hide-and-seek, and now you are the envy of every woman here. I can live with that. What I can’t live with is knowing that the two of you will have the attention of every man here, whether it is wanted or not. I know my guests, and I don’t believe any of them will do or say anything inappropriate, but if they do, I want you to tell me. Can you do that?”

“I will. I promise,” Carissa agreed.

“Good,” John said with a smile as his phone sounded in his jacket pocket. He sighed, making Carissa laugh. It was the same reaction her father always had when his cell phone rang, interrupting whatever he was doing.

John pulled the phone out of his inner jacket pocket and swiped the screen. He laughed as he read before he looked up at Carissa.

“That is a text from Drew. He is letting me know that he and Alice are coming up the driveway now and asking if Hailey is near the front door to jump him or if he is safe,” John explained as he typed a reply. “Why don’t you come with me to greet him? Maybe if we work together, we can protect the big CEO from Hailey.”

John again offered Carissa his elbow, which she took without question. She giggled at the idea of CEO Andrew Fenn needing protection from Hailey’s advances. Carissa loved her friend like a sister, but she had to admit that Hailey was always on the lookout for her next boyfriend or at least her date for the night. It was obvious to everyone who knew her that tonight, Hailey would be doing it again, and there was a good chance that Drew would be in her sights.