The second her mom stepped off the stage, she was on the move, practically running back to where Elayna stood. She held Elayna’s elbow and turned her around to face a red-eyed and very emotional Alise.
Her eyes were swollen and teary, and she gazed behind them to the full room like it might be bears instead of people.
“What happened?” Elayna asked, receiving nothing in response.
“Come here,” her mother said softly, linking her arms with both of them and towing them back into the hall. She ushered them all into a bathroom and locked the door behind them. “Now, Alise, I know you’re nervous, but you’ll do great tonight. These people who came are… Well, there may be a few freeloaders, but most are your friends!”
“I know, I know,” Alise finally spoke. “It’s just that Jeremy’s family; they’re all socialites, so classy and elegant. And me? I’m just nervous and about to throw up.” She glanced at Elayna. “You’ve always been so confident. I’ve admired that about you my whole life.”
Elayna could see small memories, like visions, of a tiny dark-haired little girl who would spy on her and the other cousins but never joined in. The fact that she was just desperately shy made her heart burst into equal parts with both sadness and compassion.
Alise shrugged her dainty shoulders. “I wish I could just be myself and feel like that’s enough, but it’s never been possible for me. I…” She glanced down at the floor as if confessing something awful. “When I found out you were going to be the photographer, I was even worried you might outshine me completely.”
Elayna rested her hand on her sweet second cousin’s shoulder, wishing she would have realized this years ago. But she was here now, and there might be something she could do to help now. Alise looked as classy as anyone, glimmering behind a sparkly white cocktail dress with makeup that didn’t budge in her watery-eyed state. She just had to loosen up enough to smile and laugh with the guests.
“What if I told you that these people feel just as unsure as you right now?”
Alise’s waxed eyebrows lifted.
“They’ll be taking their cues from you, so if you’re nervous, they’re going to react differently than if they see you smiling and laughing. I’ll help you. People like to smile when they see a camera, so I’ll just have to hold this thing up until my arms fall off.”
Alise laughed, revealing the deepest and most adorable dimples Elayna had ever seen. “Yes, like that. Definitely smile like that. Mom, maybe you could crank up some music when we walk in so it’s more relaxed?”
Elayna’s mom nodded with almost ninja-like intensity. “I’ll go right now,” she said, rushing out the door and leaving the two girls alone.
Elayna stepped back and nodded firmly, determined to make things right with her delicate little relative. “Okay, we’ve got this. Just wipe your eyes and smile like it’s your party…because it is.”
The music suddenly reached them, with the beat nearly thumping on the door, and Alise grinned.
“Perfect.” Elayna smiled. “Let’s go.”
They headed back into the ballroom and Elayna walked ahead, turning to take pictures of Alise entering the room. She still looked a bit unsure, but it only added to the sweetness of her expression. When Elayna panned the room, all around her guests smiled. A man stood in the back and began a steady walk forward. Elayna continued taking pictures until he was standing right in front of Alise. He bent down and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her up and spinning her in a circle.
Elayna lowered the camera, finally realizing it was the groom. The effect he had on Alise was incredible, and she could see from the expression on her face that he was her safe space. Something everyone should have; a person who loved them so completely it was like a healing breath to their soul just to be together.
Alise was all smiles and laughter, her fears forgotten and her eyes absorbed in him. When her feet finally touched the ground again, they held hands and danced to the beat. Both in awkward, club-style movements. It was the perfect transition.
Tables were emptied as friends crowded around, laughing and dancing and slowly migrating to the stage. A new song started, and Alise shouted into the microphone.
“Elayna, this is your jam!”
Crouched over and peering through her camera lens, Elayna stood suddenly, suppressing a grin, unsure how her cousin could possibly remember the wild way she used to dance to that song. But it only took half a second for her to make the decision.
She stashed her camera on the nearest table and trotted to the stage in her heels, amidst a shower of cheers and a very distinct shrill laugh from Alise. The dancers around her were young enough, she was sure. She began the lineup of what she used to consider dorky middle school dances, and they went wild. Clearly never having experienced the same brilliant choreography in their fortunate lives, they copied her every move. The lawn mower, the shopping cart…the sprinkler! Cheers around her rose with each one, and she glanced over to see Alise wiping away the tears of laughter. Just as she was about to level up to the running man, she made the mistake of glancing across the room.
Standing in the doorway, polished and dressed for an executive dinner, was Kayson Blake. He grinned back at her like she might be crazy. She sidestepped, a little off balance, and waved back at Alise while faking tiredness and pretending to breathe hard.
She rushed off stage as quickly as she could, snatching up her camera and taking a few pictures of the chaos before heading back to join Kayson. As she got closer to him, she suddenly imagined what it might be like to have him as her boyfriend. Like Alise and her fiancé, it would be incredible to know him in such a personal way.
The thought practically ambushed her, springing into her mind so quickly that she was hurrying to kick it out before her cheeks could turn red.
“Hey,” she greeted, a little out of breath—but not from dancing.
Kayson smiled, glancing back at the stage. “That was pretty impressive.”
“Ha!” The exclamation nearly burst out of her, mixed with laughter and something like a snort. She hurried to change the subject before she ended up completely humiliating herself. “It’s my cousin’s bridal shower. How are you? Am I late?”
His interest turned to his phone. “No, I just went to pick you up at your place. When you weren’t there, I called your boss, and he gave me your mom’s number, and she”—he shrugged, looking a little embarrassed—“told me you were here.”
“Oh,” Elayna couldn’t remember making plans to drive together. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you’d be picking me up.”
“Yeah, I guess we didn’t entirely agree to anything before, but the restaurant is actually right across the street if you’d like to walk over.” He hesitated. “I’m sorry, are you still able to make it? I didn’t realize you had other plans.”
“Oh, no. Yeah. Of course, I just need to finish up here. Could I just meet you there in a few minutes? I won’t be much longer.”
Elayna attempted to run in her shoes and slowed immediately, feeling like the invisible stiletto-tightrope she was walking was about to break. And her feet were aching! Instead, she swung her arms vigorously, encouraging her legs to catch up. And they tried. But mostly she feared she resembled an awkward stick person, at best.