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Her breath caught in her throat as she ascended the steps, each footstep more unsteady than the last in her piercing silver heels.  “This was a mistake.”

“You only think it’s a mistake.”  The butterfly nestled in her collarbone gently touched her cheek with its wings.  “You’re a princess.  Act like it.”

“I’m not a princess.”  She snortly, nearly tripping over her long hem.  “I’m a seamstress.  I create gowns for beautiful, elegant creatures.  I am not one of those creatures.”

“You doubt yourself.  Why?”

“You know why.”  She paused at the entrance, watching well-dressed couples stream inside.  “I feel like a fool.”

“You’ll only be a fool if you don’t go find him.”  The butterfly’s tiny feet nudged her gently forward.  As if floating above the golden stones of the patio, she found herself at the grand doorway, giving the butler her name.

“Of course, madam.  We’ve been expecting you.”  Her silver wrap was whisked from her shoulders and a tuxedo clad elbow was extended it.  Trying not to clutch at it like a drowning woman on a raft, she raised her chin and glided forward.  With every step, the curious stares and hushed whispers swirled around her.

“Who is that?”

“Have you ever seen her before?”

“Look at that dress!”

“Have you ever met that girl?”

“No, but I plan to ask her to dance!”

Behind her glittering mask, Flora smiled.  “If only they knew it’s only sequins and tulle.”

“Oh, it’s much more than that,” the butterfly whispered, creeping onto her bare shoulder.  “It’s magic.  Tonight is simply shining with magic.”

The attendant drew escorted her to the gardens, which were lit up with thousands of sparkling lights.  Under the twinkling stars, the tall oaks and trellises of white roses and magnifcent dangling blooms looked like something from a fairy tale wedding.  Guests in formal attire twirled around to the strands of a elegant string quartet, sipping on glasses of champagne and nibbling on treats held by silent waiters on silver trays.

And then she saw him, standing by the fountain.  His blue eyes raised to hers and his lip curled in a smile.  Starting towards her, she fought the urge to turn and run, to hide her face.

He touched her hand, and the lights and stars swirled around her.

“Magic,” the butterfly whispered, as silver butterflies the color of moonlight burst around them.  “Nothing but magic.”  The prince gazed at her, raising her hand to his lips.  “Flora.  Flora.  Flora.  FLORA!”

Something very cold and very wet slapped Flora in the face.  Gasping, she sat upright and clutched her dripping hair.  Her mother stood behind Nate Nottingham, glaring at her and clutching an empty water pitcher.

“I’m so sorry, Nate,” Heather drawled, her angry eyes boring into her daughter.  “How embarrassing!  I’m sure Flora is fine now after her little…incident.”

Wiping the water from her eyes, Flora stared up dumbly.  “What happened?” she asked.  “Did I fall asleep?”

“You fainted.” Nate kneeled beside her, his concerned blue eyes sweeping over her.  “Are you all right?”

Flora gaped at him for a moment, unable to speak.  He put a hand on her arm and her head spun.  “Should we take you to the doctor?”

“She doesn’t need a doctor,” Heather snapped, waving her pitcher in the air.  “She’ll be fine. Won’t you, Flora?”  Her voice held a note of warning.  Unable to tear her eyes from Nate, Flora nodded dumbly.

He smiled and winked.  “Well, let me help you up.  I’m sure you’d like to dry off before we do my measurements.”

“Measurements?” Flora repeated, blinking.  Suddenly, she gasped.  “Oh, right, your measurements!”  Ignoring his outstretched hand, she lumbered to her feet.  “Just let me fix my face…”

“It’ll take a lot more than a few minutes to do that,” Heather snickered, disappearing back into her office with the empty pitcher.   Giving Nate an embarrassed smile, Flora ducked into the bathroom and clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from shrieking with horror.  She looked like a wreck.  Mascara ran down her cheeks in watery streams, her brown stringy hair clamped to her head in tangled snarls and her skin was red and splotchy.

“Great, Flora,” she muttered to herself.  “Looking gorgeous, as always.”  Twisting the sink, she bent down and splashed cold water on her face.  Patting her cheeks with a towel, she hurried back out to the fitting room.

“Better?” Nate asked, flashing a white grin dentists would kill for.

“Of course.”  Flora smiled, holding up her tape measure.  “Ready?”

“Ready.”  Nate held up his arms as Flora draped the tape over his shoulders, scribbling measurements.  “So you like butterflies?”

Flora froze, her pen poised over the paper.  “How did you know?”

“Your necklace.”  Nate pointed to the tiny charm around her neck.  “Or does it mean something?”

Her shoulders relaxing, Flora smiled.  “Oh no.  I just like them.”

“My grandparents’ house has a huge butterfly garden.”  Flora wrapped the tape around his waist, her head so close she could hear his heart thumping in his chest.  “My grandmother loved them.  She had the gardner plant all sorts of plants just to attract butterflies.  Sometimes, in the summer, you feel like you’re in their garden!  There’s just so many…”

“I love butterflies.”  Flora beamed as she measured from his hip to foot.  “I’ve always found them so…”

“So what?”

“Magical,” she muttered, her cheeks pink.  “Silly, isn’t it?”

“Not really.”  She lifted her chin to find Nate staring at her.  “I think if any insect was magical, a butterfly would definitely be it.  That’s what my grandmother always told me.  She was really into fairy tales and fantasy, and she used to say, “Nate dear, just remember that true love is like a butterfly–delicate and fragile, but strong enough to fly the toughest winds.”  His brow furrowed and he laughed uncomfortably.  “I don’t know why I just remembered that.”

“I think it’s beautiful.”  Flora blushed and looked down.  “Your grandmother sounds like a wonderful woman.  I adored my grandmother.”

“She’s a spitfire.”  Nate’s voice warmed and Flora felt her heart flutter.  “She’s wonderful.  Where is your grandmother?”

“She’s gone.”  Flora’s voice was colder and harsher than she meant for it to be.  Nate shifted as she scuttled about his feet, the measure dragging behind her like a limp tail.

“I’m sorry.”  Nate cleared his throat, shoving his hands in his pockets.  “I know if my grandmother passed, I’d be heartbroken.”

Ignoring the ache in her chest, Flora blinked back tears.  Jumping up briskly, she snapped her tape together and scribbled the last measurement.  “Ok.  You’re free.  Any particular type of design or features you want?”

Nate shrugged.  “I’m with Astrid.  I trust you.”  Flashing her a cheerful grin, he waved.  “Call me when I need to come in for a fitting!”

Sighing as she watched him hurry through the door, Flora watched his form retreat until it was a mere shadow.  Tossing her measuring tape around her neck, she pulled out her cell phone and punched a button.  She barely waited for Jackie to answer before whispering, “You’ll never believe what just happened.  Are you up for a pizza?”

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! We’ve got a new Comfort and Whimsy tomorrow and a week full of fun!  Stay tuned!

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