Disclaimer: Does anyone think I own them? I do not.
The first thing Stacy did when she got into the car was to group text Renee and Rashaan.
"U guys were rite. The song was about me. We kissed. I'm exhausted. Will call in the am."
Just as Stacy was putting her phone down it rang. She wasn't too surprised when it was Rashaan.
"Hello."
"You text that it was about you and that you kissed but then say we will talk tomorrow! Are you kidding?! I need details? This is epic!"
"I'm sorry I'm just so tired. I promise I'll give you all the details tomorrow."
"Fine. Just tell me one thing. Are you happy?"
"Rashaan I haven't stopped smiling. It's like a weight I never knew I had has been lifted."
"Good. But just so you know I'm gonna text Ryan right now and tell him if he ever hurts you me and Renee will clobber him."
Stacy laughed but she knew it was true. Her sister and her best friend were always going to have her back.
"I'm sure Ryan knows that already."
"A little reminder could never hurt. I love you Stacy and I'm so happy for the two of you. Night."
"Night Rashaan. I love you too."
The round of morning meetings went better than expected. The distributers were all on board with the schedule and the stylist loved the new line. Stacy was confident that the brand was going to be on plenty of red carpets during the upcoming season. She was just wrapping up some paperwork when there was a knock on the conference room door.
"Come in."
"Hey Stacy there is a delivery up front for you."
"Oh it must be the new fabric swatches. Can you just have them hold it for me Tara?"
"Um, I don't think it's the new swatches."
Stacy looked at her quizzically. What could the delivery be? She wasn't expecting anything.
"Oh ok. Let me just finish up this paperwork and I'll be right out."
Stacy initialed the last page, grabbed the stack of papers and headed for the front desk. She asked the receptionist to over night the packet to NY and then asked about the delivery.
"Here you go. It came about 15 minuets ago."
"Thanks"
Tara had been right. This was not the swatches. This tiny square box with a purple bow could never hold the amount of fabric Stacy was expecting. The first thing Stacy grabbed for was the tag attached. Reading made her heart swell:
"Dear Stace, I figured I'd start the surprises now. Later, Ryan"
How did one word...later...change so much in one day? Stacy was positive she was blushing and made a bee line back to the conference room before she could embarrass herself further. Once settled in a seat she opened the box. Her heart skipped a beat because inside was her "lucky ring" from so many years ago. Stacy's eyes filled with tears as she thought about the day she had given it to him.
##################
"Well I think that's the last of it I guess I'm ready to go to college."
The Uhaul was packed. It had taken Kids Inc and Ryan's parents nearly 2 hours to get everything into it.
"Thanks for helping guys. It means a lot."
"No problem Ryan. We are really gonna miss you
"Thanks Devon. I'm gonna miss you guys too"
"Make sure to keep in touch."
"I will Kenny. And you Richie, you are the oldest guy in the group now. I expect you to take care of the girls and help Stacy because make no mistake she is your leader now."
"I will Ryan. Stacy knows she can count on me!"
"Oh no I'm in trouble. Sure you need to go to college Ryan?"
"You are going to be fine Stace. You got this. You have been in the band longer than anyone. No one knows Kids Inc better than you. And I'm a phone call away."
"Thanks Ryan. Oh I almost forgot I have a present for you."
"You didn't need to get me a present."
He opened a tiny box and found a giant fake ruby ring. Stacy could swear the smile on his face had never been bigger.
"I can't believe you still have this! I can't take this. It obviously still means something to you and you know I don't believe in magic."
"I want you to have it. This way you gave a part of the P*lace and the band with you at college."
Their eyes met. Ryan smiled. Stacy felt like they could stay like that forever but then she heard Ryan's dad.
"Ry, we need to get going if we are going to make it there before dinner."
"Ok dad...alright guys this is it. I'll see you guys over Thanksgiving break."
"Bye."
"Bye Ryan."
"Study hard."
Stacy could barely talk. It felt like her heart was breaking. She knew she was being silly. They weren't anything more than friends….that he looked at her like
a little sister. But she had harbored a crush on him for years and now she felt like she was loosing her chance to ever tell him.
#####################
She couldn't believe he had kept it all this time. Especially considering he didn't believe in magic charms. She was so engrossed in looking at the ring that she almost missed the note on the inside.
"Surprise! I've always kept this so I could have a piece of you with me. Not the P*lace, not the band. You. It's always been you Stacy."
The tears streamed down Stacy's face freely now. This man...she had known him almost her whole life and yet she never knew he could be this romantic. She couldn't wait to see him later.
"Hey Stacy we are heading out to lunch. Want to join us?"
"Oh, no thanks Tara. I promised my sister I'd call her this afternoon."
"Oh ok. The writer from Allure will be here at 2."
"Ok great. Thanks"
"Stacy. Spill. Now"
"Hi to you too Renee"
"Yeah hi. Details. Now"
Stacy told Renee the details she so craved much to Renee's delight.
"I can't believe you just got up and kissed him!"
"I know but at the time I didn't want to talk anymore. We had waited so long."
"So what's next?"
There's the big sister Stacy knew and loved...always planning...always practical.
"I don't know Renee. This is all new but I'm excited to see where it goes."
"I just don't want to see you get hurt sis. This thing with you and Ryan has been brewing for a long time. But I know you value his friendship. Be careful please."
"I will Renee. Ryan and I both know we are too important to each other to mess this up."
"Ok because if he hurts you I will…."
"Clobber him. I know Renee."
They talked a little longer about the twins and the work stuff that Stacy was doing. It was always nice to talk to Renee. No one knew Stacy like her sister and visa versa. They could say things to each other that no one else could because no matter what you knew it was coming from a place of love.
"I gotta go Renee. I have a meeting in 15 minuets."
"Ok. Keep me posted. I love you sis"
"Love you too. Kiss the boys for me. And I'll talk to you soon."
