by Twyla Turner
“Babe, I’ll slay motherfucking dragons for you.” Gage said as he reached down and cupped her face. “Was there anyone who bullied you as a kid? Point me in their direction and I’ll fuck them up too.”
Lyris giggled. “My hero.”
“Always.”
The London and Paris shows were spectacular. After Rio, Gage kept some of the Brazilian elements he’d added there, since the crowds had loved it so much. So far, the European fans loved it just as much and danced like the fans had in Brazil.
They kept the added ending to Sex & Sweat so that Gage could dance with Lyris like they had during their last performance in Rio. The audience ate it up. As far as Gage could see, out in the real world, people loved Lyris and them together as a couple.
But he still watched Lyris closely. Even if she said she was okay, he knew the negativity had gotten into her head. Luckily, she’d shut off her phone while they found someone to handle her social media. If Gage found a positive blog article or post about her, he made sure she saw it to lift her spirits.
He had another plan to take her mind off the war being waged online between her newfound fans and haters. Something he’d been thinking about since Rio. Gage got the band in on it during dinner the night after Lyris had seen all the evil shit on her social media. He told Teri and she spread the word to part of the crew that had traveled with them to Europe. Gage made phone calls to make all the arrangements.
They had a few free days after their shows in Paris to roam around the city before heading to Berlin. Gage knew that the romantic City of Lights would be the perfect place to make his plan magical. He felt like a kid on Christmas morning. Except his present was getting to see the love of his life light up with happiness.
They’d gotten dressed for the day and about to head out, when there was a knock at the door. Gage smiled to himself. Lyris thought that they were going sightseeing together as a couple for some alone time. Gage knew that wasn’t happening.
He walked over to the door and opened it. On the other side was Brandi and Rainey. They shoved past him and grabbed Lyris.
“Let’s go,” they said.
Lyris looked at them and then at Gage in confusion. Gage shrugged.
“I have no idea what they’re doing,” he said.
“We haven’t had a girls’ day since the tour started. It’s been me and Mack, you and Gage, and Brandi with whoever,” Rainey joked.
“I’m offended,” Brandi said flatly.
“So, we’re having a girls’ day of sightseeing, shopping, and a night on the town. While the guys do whatever guys do.” Rainey said as she grabbed Lyris’ purse.
They started guiding her to the door. But she pulled back.
“Wait a minute.” She dug her feet into the carpet to stop them and turned to look at Gage. “I thought we were going to have a romantic day of sightseeing?”
“They’re right though. You ladies haven’t spent much time together without us guys around. We have tomorrow to sightsee together,” Gage reasoned.
“Okay,” Lyris frowned slightly.
Gage walked up to her and kissed her softly on the lips. When he pulled back, her eyes said she wanted more where that came from. Gage grinned crookedly.
“Later,” he mouthed.
Lyris rolled her eyes and let the girls pull her from the room.
“Damn, I’m good. That was an Oscar worthy performance right there.” Gage said to himself as he pulled out his phone to call up the guys.
~~~
“Okay, we’ll all change, get ready, and then meet back here in an hour and a half.” Rainey said outside of Lyris and Gage’s hotel room.
“Sounds good to me,” Brandi agreed.
“Alrighty, see you ladies in a little bit.” Lyris said as she slid the keycard into the slot.
She walked in and sighed. It had been a fun day. They’d done a little sightseeing. But mostly they’d spent their time at the best Parisian spas getting pampered. Rubbed, scrubbed, and buffed. Lyris felt more relaxed than she had in a while. And she’d needed it after the tension all the online negativity had brought on.
Lyris had no idea that having a large section of the world hate her would weigh her down so much. But Gage had been right. Truly happy people didn’t set out to make someone else’s life miserable. So, Lyris had tried her best to pray for those individuals, stay off social media, and let it go.
That was still a little harder than she’d thought.
Lyris walked into the bedroom of their suite and stopped in her tracks. Laying on the bed was what looked like clothing still draped in the clear cellophane. She slowly walked up to the bed to get a closer look.
A gasp escaped Lyris’ throat when she realized what it was. It was a rose gold dress. And not just any dress. An evening dress. A ball gown. On top of it was a note. Lyris picked up the folded piece of paper and opened it.
Lyris,
Please put this on. Hair and makeup will be there shortly.
-G
“Oh my God!”
Lyris clutched the note to her chest. Then she placed it next to the dress on the bed and picked the dress up. She stared at it in awe.
“Please let it fit. Please, please, please let it fit.” Lyris whispered as she pulled the plastic off.
She gently laid it down on the bed before practically ripping her clothes off her body. She didn’t need to shower, since she’d already been scrubbed within an inch of her life at the spa. She found her pretty panties and strapless bra and pulled them on. Then Lyris unzipped the back zipper, stepped into the dress, and then pulled it on. She slid her arms through the sleeves and started towards the full-length mirror.
A gasp passed her lips for the second time.
The dress was stunning. A sheer rose gold overlay with tiny crystals dotting the fabric made up the sleeves and boat neckline. The sheer material connected to a semi-sweetheart bodice. Once someone could zip her up in the back, the bodice would cinch in her waist. At the hips, the dress flared out. In the front, the hem stopped just above the knee. The way the skirt of the dress was draped and pleated at the hip gave the illusion of ruffles that cascaded down to the floor in back. All in a shimmery lux material with pale pink organza underneath to give it more fullness.
Lyris looked down and saw a shoe box next to the bed. She knelt down and flipped open the box. Inside were matching sparkly rose gold heels with ankle straps.
“And they’re in the perfect height too!” Lyris screeched as she pulled out the three-inch heels.
She was so overwhelmed she could scream. So, she did.
Lyris carefully climbed onto the bed and started jumping up and down as she screamed like a tween girl at a boy band concert.
A knock at the door made her stop mid-celebration. She climbed down from the bed and quickly padded to the door. On the other side were two gorgeous black women with giant cases. One in silver and one in black and chrome. Along with one of those high director’s chairs that they use when styling a model or famous person.
“Hi,” Lyris said. “I’m assuming you’re hair and makeup?”
“Oui.” They said in unison.
Lyris stepped to the side to let them in. They walked in and set up their things like the military setting a temporary camp. They sat Lyris down in the chair and swung a black cape around her shoulders. Then they got to work.
When they were finished, they removed the cape, zipped her up in the back, and left like the efficient whirlwind they were.
Lyris put on her heels and walked into the bathroom to get a look at her makeover from head to toe. The hairstylist had pulled her hair up into an intricate, yet simple high bun. And she’d added faux layered bangs with long sides that stopped at her jaw, framing Lyris’ face.
The makeup artist had left her looking like a shimmery, dewy goddess. Her eyebrows were perfection. Her eyelids shimmered with subtle rose tones. Her skin looked flawless and luminous. And her lips looked extra plump and glossy.
They’d ev
en placed dangling earrings on her ears. It was as if Gage had thought of every single detail.
Promptly at seven o’clock there was a knock at the door. Lyris took a deep breath and walked to the door. She swung it open and about died a thousand deaths at the vision that greeted her.
Gage stood before her dressed in a slim fit, midnight blue three-piece suit. His necktie and handkerchief were in a shimmery rose gold fabric that complemented the blue of his suit and matched her dress. And on his feet were pristine white dress sneakers that matched his crisp white shirt. It was all very rockstar vibes he was giving off.
Lyris smiled so hard that her cheeks ached.
“You look amazing,” she shook her head in wonderment.
“Lyris, you’re pure perfection.” He said in awe as he looked her up and down. “Turn for me?”
Lyris did as he asked. A bashful smile played at her lips the whole time.
“I knew that dress would look good on you.” He nodded his approval.
“You really did all this?”
“Yeah. You’d been so down and I wanted to make you happy.” He said sweetly.
“Oh, you did that. And then some.”
“I’d strip you naked and make love to you right now if we didn’t have somewhere to go. I don’t want to mess up your makeup and hair.” Gage looked at her like a porkchop.
“Technically, they shellacked my face and hair. This stuff ain’t moving. I’m surprised I can even smile.”
Gage’s shoulders shook with laughter. “You’re amazing, you know that? Only you can make me lust after you and laugh at the same time.”
“So, what is all of this for exactly?”
“Oh, you haven’t figured it out yet?”
“Nope. Not quite.”
He’d been holding one hand behind his back since she’d opened the door. He brought it around to the front. In his hand, was one of those unmistakable plastic containers that carried corsages.
“I’m taking you to prom.”
A knot suddenly formed in Lyris’ throat. She swallowed past it thickly. And she blinked rapidly, but the tears fell anyway.
“Oh, babe! I wasn’t trying to make you cry.” Gage wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close.
“Th-Th-They’re happy tears!” She sobbed through hiccups.
“Well, I figured since your prom was shitty and I never had one, this would be the perfect opportunity to make our own prom experience. And at the end we can totally hook up without the guilt.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Lyris giggled as she dabbed gently at her eyes. Zero makeup came off. They really did shellac this shit.
Gage removed the corsage from the box. It was made of pale pink roses, white wispy feathers with clear and pink crystals.
“It’s beautiful, Gage.”
“It’s just trying to keep up with you.” He winked. “Come on.”
He took her hand and led her out of the room. Several people smiled at them brightly as they left the elevator downstairs and walked through the lobby. Lyris felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when they were heading to the opera. Just without the prostitution part.
Outside a limo was waiting for them. Gage waved away the driver and shook his head. Gage walked up and opened the door for Lyris himself. It was obvious he remembered her story about prom and was making up for it.
Lyris slipped inside the limo and made room for Gage to get in. Once they got settled, he took her hand and brought it up to his lips and kissed the back.
“How did you know my dress size? My shoe size? What dress to pick? How did you know to send black stylist to do my hair and makeup? Just…how?” Lyris rattled off questions like she often did.
“I pay attention,” Gage shrugged.
“Dude. Men rarely ever pay that much attention to detail when it comes to what a woman wants or needs romantically.” Lyris looked at him skeptically.
“Lyris,” Gage gave her a pointed look. “I nicknamed my penis Jake Ryan because I noticed how much girls liked him.”
“Touché.” Lyris nodded.
I always wanted the opportunity to be that guy. Women and girls dreamed of finding their Jake, their Edward…Pretty Woman or Twilight, their prince charming.” Gage looked down self-consciously. “I watched all those movies too. And I was the guy who wanted to be somebody’s Jake Ryan.”
Lyris felt those pesky tears sting the backs of her eyes again.
“Natasha wasn’t the type who would appreciate any of this. She would’ve laughed. She would’ve thought it was lame. She wanted the bad boy. It’s what she assumed I was. I didn’t correct her.”
Lyris brushed a strand of hair behind his ear. Her fingers trailed down the side of his face and cupped his jaw. She lifted his face up and his silvery green cat eyes looked at her with so much love she felt like she was punched in the stomach.
“I love you, Gage Walker. And I adore your uber sensitive side. She didn’t know what she had. I’m glad.” Lyris smiled softly.
Gage pulled her in and gave her a sweet, innocent kiss.
The limo pulled up in front of Palais de Chaillot. A historical landmark in the Trocadéro area of Paris. Gage got out of the limo and held the door open for Lyris. He reached inside to help her out.
Lyris stepped out and gazed in awe at the view in front of her. The building was split in two. In the middle were stairs that led to a marble walkway with a view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. It was the site of almost every Eiffel Tower photo that ever existed. A place that Lyris had dreamed of visiting.
The tower sparkled in the night sky as it’s hourly light show began. Lyris’ eyes danced as she took it all in.
“Come,” Gage took her hand.
He led her up the stairs and inside the building. Lyris gasped and her hands flew up to her mouth.
Inside was a grand foyer. The floors were made of gray, white, and black marble tiles in a square-pattern like the walkway outside. Black square pillars formed a line down the room on either side. And the ceiling was recessed and trimmed with gold.
There were tables covered in crisp white tablecloths. A section of the floor was cleared for dancing. And cute little white lights hung between each pillar, creating a canopy of twinkling lights. A sparkly banner that read ‘A Night in Paris’ hung between the first two pillars leading into the room.
Gage leaned over to whisper in her ear, “Every prom has to have a theme.”
“I’m in a dream.”
“Well, don’t wake up just yet because I have more to show you.”
“What more could there be.”
“SURPRISE!!!”
Several people jumped out from behind the pillars. Gage’s parents, their bandmates, part of the crew from the tour, and Serena. In total, it was about thirty people. And they were all dressed up in formal wear.
“NO WAY!” Lyris cried. “You flew out your parents and Serena?!?!”
Lyris looked up at Gage like he couldn’t be real.
Gage hunched his shoulders and shoved his hands inside his pockets modestly. He stepped back as everyone converged on Lyris.
“You look gorgeous, Lys!” Serena hugged her and they rocked back and forth. “I’ve missed you!”
“I missed you too. There were so many times I needed you.”
“I’m so sorry, Lys.” Serena pulled back and looked at her. “Can we talk later?”
“Yeah,” Lyris nodded. “Who’s your date?”
A handsome man in a gray suit hovered off to the side. He was tall, slender, with salt and pepper hair combed back. He for sure gave off silver fox vibes.
“This is my mentor and boyfriend, Zach.” Serena pulled him forward. “He’s the director I worked for on the romcom.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lyris.” He shook her hand and then shook Gage’s. “Thanks for inviting us, Gage.”
“Absolutely,” Gage nodded. “Glad to have you.”
Lyris was then gathered up into a welcoming motherly hug by Adriana.
>
“You look breathtaking, my dear.”
“You really do look beautiful,” Nathan agreed.
“Thank you two so much. And thank you for coming all the way to Paris for…our prom!”
“Well, we never got to see Gage go to prom. So, we certainly couldn’t miss this and the chance to go to prom with him.”
Everyone else came up to give her a hug. And they gushed over each other’s formal attire. Lyris gave the crew members sassy grins. She’d seen them in nothing but jeans and t-shirts for months.
“Oh! We have to make sure we take pics.” Lyris said to Gage.
“Got it covered,” Gage said and adjusted his jacket like he was Danny Zuko from Grease or something.
Lyris giggled, shook her head, grabbed his face, and kissed him soundly. She pulled away and sure enough, a photographer walked up to them.
“I’m here whenever you’re ready.” He said with a smile and thick French accent. “I got that kiss by the way.”
Lyris flushed.
Everyone gathered together under the ‘A Night in Paris’ banner. After the group pictures, Lyris and Gage went out onto the walkway and the photographer took photos of them with the lit-up Eiffel Tower in the background.
Once they were finished, Gage led Lyris back inside for dinner. Their table sat in front of the window that faced the glowing tower. Everyone chatted happily as they ate. A DJ in the corner was playing light music while they had dinner.
When everyone had finished their meals and had a few drinks over conversation as they digested their food, the DJ switched up the music. The kind that got feet moving.
Serena grabbed Lyris and pulled her to the dance floor. They twirled each other and twerked to the music as they laughed.
When the song changed, Serena pulled Lyris off the dance floor to talk. They sat at an empty table. Serena slid her hand across the table and grabbed Lyris’.
“I really am sorry for kind of ghosting you,” she began. “I’m not gonna lie. When I saw how popular you were…scratch that…are becoming, I got a little jelly. Every time I looked up, another video was going viral. You are living the dream. Your dream. I mean, look…” Serena gestured around the room.
