Chapter Three

“How many?”  Ed and Marine glared at me after I have broken the news about the order from Mimi.

“Just think of it this way guys.  You are always saying we need more exposure at Seraphine’s and you could not get higher exposure than this.  There will be press, publishers, celebrities and even a red carpet!  Come on guys, I know we can do this.”

Marine took a deep breath and looked at Ed.  They seemed to have this way of communicating without saying anything.  “OK OK lets do it,” they chanted together.  “But we must get an invite to this party of the century,” continued Marine.  “If there will be celebrities, I need to be there!”

“Of course, we are all invited,” I replied.  “And we also get a plus one to bring.”

Both Marnie and Ed whooped.  Ed declared he would bring one of his many harems of women who were hanging onto him.  And Marine said she would go solo so she could meet and pull a celebrity.  “Who are you bringing,” Marnie asked?  “You have to bring a date Lily.”

“Nope thank you, I will go solo with you thank you Marnie.” I announced trying to change the subject.

“Come on Lily,” Ed chimed in.  “I have known you nearly four years now and I have never known you to even go on a single date.”

I let out a sigh.  “I don’t have time to date. Why you guys so fascinated with my love life all the time anyway?”

“Because we care about you,” Ed replied.  “And we worry about you, we just want you to be happy.”

“You shouldn’t worry.  I’m fine. Besides between the two for you I think we have the eligible contingent of Riverside much covered don’t you?”

Ed nodded.  “Good point. So ask me about my love life then, seeing as you don’t have time for one.”

“Fine, who is the lucky lady tonight,” I replied rolling my eyes at Marnie as Ed recounted his latest conquest.

A couple of days later I was at the library collecting inspiration for some new garments when my phone rung, it was Celia.  “I need you to come by my office tomorrow,” she exclaimed.

 “Why,” I asked carefully?

“I want to feature you in our “Rivers People” column.  My editor asked me today to find interesting, upcoming Riverside individuals for the new column and I thought what a great opportunity it would be to get the word out on you. Come by tomorrow and we will discuss it. Love you, bye.”

And with that she was gone and I was left with the phone hanging on my ear. 

I was not sure I was ready to tell my story. It would be great publicity for the shop, but I know that sometimes publicity can go against you.  With this in mind I decided to go to Celia’s as planned tomorrow and politely refuse her offer.

“Lily no!”  You have to do this” Ed insisted when I told him about Celia’s phone call.  “It’s the best potential publicity we have had in years.”

“I just don’t see why anyone would want to read about me, Ed.  About Seraphine’s yes, but not me!  I just think there are more deserving people.”

“How did you figure that?  What are you afraid of Lily?”

“Nothing, I just…..”

“I see what is going on here.  This is not about you being embarrassed or thinking you’re not good enough, this is about you facing the danger of opening up for once.  You’re scared.”

“I’m not scarred,” I stuttered back. “I just don’t want to do it ok.”

“Exactly what I thought,” Ed shrieked.  “You have no good reason.  Except maybe one.”

“Would you just leave it.  What I share with people is my business, when did it become yours all of a sudden?”

“When it stops you doing so much in your life.”

“Like what,” I screech? “Like spending my entire life on a never-ending rollercoaster of one off date? Oh yeah I’m really missing out on that one.”

“Well at least I have a ready supply of willing volunteers to be let down by me.  I don’t hear any complaints.”

“Maybe that’s because you never stick around long enough to find out the truth Ed!  You a male slag.  A commitment phobic slag!”

“Well at least I am not hiding away pretending I am happy,” he shot back.  “At least I have a life outside this store.  I don’t get you Lily.  I get that you have stuff you don’t want to share but you don’t even open up to your closet friends.  Marnie and I still don’t know why you came to Riverside.  It’s like half of you is a stranger.”

“You don’t need to know,” I replied.  “I am not my past and I don’t look back. Just accept me for who I am Ed.  You are always ready to comment on everybody else’s lives but you never share your own with anyone.  Lucky you to have no care’s in the world.”

This last comment stopped Ed in his tracks.  “You have no idea about my cares Lily.”

“And you don’t know mine,” I replied.

Tears stung my eyes and we both looked at each for a long while in silence.  I hate it when me and Ed fight.  Somehow we know how to really get under each others skins. 

“I’m sorry,” Ed begun, always the first to back down.  “Its just time you started living is all.  You have this amazing town to play in and I just feel you are throwing it all away.  You can trust us with anything you know.”

“You just have to trust me on this Ed.  I know you care about me and I know I can tell you anything. It’s just that the reason I came to New York is something I am still trying to work out myself.  I promise as soon as I am ready, you will be the first person I come too.”

“I will hold you to that Lily Anderson,” Ed whispered pulling me towards him and holding me tight. I smiled, relived to be moving away from the subject I dreaded more than anything.