The afterglow of the parade spilled through the gates of Rosecliff, where a second wave of festivities would begin. Mya and Sarah paused in awe at the purple flowers circling the courtyard fountain, the rhythmic rush of the water drawing them forward toward the towering glass doors.
Though the venue was packed, the air within grew still, the chaotic buzz of the street fair taming into a low, polished hum. Servers dressed in immaculate white blouses and black waist aprons moved with a dancer's grace, delicately delivering cocktails and bite-sized treats to the guests. Every so often, an exaggerated laugh would cut through the air, sharp and bright, though its source remained hidden in the crowd.
Mya found a quiet amusement in the guests who seemed to go out of their way to find the light, positioning themselves in the makeshift spotlights the sun threw through the thin silk curtains.
Meanwhile, Sarah thrust the two of them into the center of the grand hall. In her excitement, she nicked the heel of a woman passing by, offering a hurried apology before bouncing away again without waiting for a reply. At last, she came to a halt at a gorgeous marble bar top, her eyes bright and enchanted.
"Two gin and tonics please!" Sarah requests the second the bartender's attention turned toward them.
The man nodded, already moving toward the bottles, as he glanced expectantly at Mitchel. Mitchel simply shook his head and offered a small, patient smile.
"Isn't it amazing?" Sarah whispered, her head tilted back to take in the intricate carvings and paintings on the ceiling. "It's everything we dreamed..."
Mya looked up only with mild wonder, a low, unintentional grunt escaping her throat. Her eyes traced the gilding, but her mind seemed to be elsewhere.
"Here you are, ladies." The bartender placed the sweating glasses onto thick crisp napkins in front of them, accompanied by a single pink macaron resting on the tiniest plate Mya had ever seen.
"Why don't we go outside?" Mitchel suggested as the girls enjoy their first sips, "I read online that the terrace has some of the most interesting pieces on display."
"Okay! But I want to check out the little shops in the back lawn before we go." Sarah urges.
"Ok, Hun. Are you ready Mya?" Mitchel turned to where Mya had been standing a moment before. But she was gone. Sarah and Mitchel glanced around the ballroom frantically, but Mya's shock of strawberry hair had vanished into the throng of guests.
"Her phone keeps going straight to voicemail! Babe, how'd we lose her like that?" Mitchel attempts to soothe her, but she ignores him. "She's all alone. What is she thinking?"
"Honey!" He snaps her out of it and cups her face with his gentle hands. "It has been a tough trip; she probably needs some space. She's a grown woman, she can handle herself, okay?" Sarah nods reluctantly, still looking over her shoulder as he leads her to the terrace.
Out in the fresh, misty air, elegantly draped tables were adorned with vintage vases overflowing with perfectly arranged blooms. Humbly dressed women gesticulated passionately, informing their guests of each flower's heritage and the inspiration behind the arrangements.
Mitchel pointed toward a larger table nearby, which hosted a striking gradient of flowers ranging from deep blues to royal purples.
A pale woman dressed in a tiered red skirt and a shy white blouse quickly stepped up to meet them.
"Starting on the left here, we have the sky-blue Delphinium," she explained, her voice bright with practiced enthusiasm. "We love them here because they represent the language of flowers, big heartedness and lightness. Next are the Newport Hydrangeas; their lush violet tones are beautifully complimented by the Delphinium's height. Lasty is the deep purple Lisianthus, which brings the whole piece together with that velvety finish."
"Whoa, what awesome handywork! I love the lace around the vase; it looks so playful!" Sarah praised her.
"Awe than you, dear. I have always been guided by the pull of nature. It is such a privilege to be a part of the festival. Are you two locals? Perhaps we can do a workshop together? I host them on Tuesdays at the museum— "
Mitchel gave Sarah's hand a light squeeze and thanked the woman—who insisted they call her Carly—before leading Sarah away to see more of the show, cutting the invitation before it could take root.
Sarah paused at the terrace railing, suddenly taken by the majestic view. The ocean rumbles gently, spray splashing off the cliff rocks below them. Seagulls dash across the landscape with full gulls.
"Look," Mitchel pulls her into his chest and guides her gaze to a specific part of the water. "I thought I saw a dolphin."
"Oh!" Sarah exclaims, "There's two!" They jump one at a time out of the water. The first dolphin jumps out of the water and lands on its back, splashing the other. They chase each other and then disappear under the water.
Mitchel rolled the small box around in his pocket, his thumb tracing the velvet edge as he watched Sarah. The coastal wind was starting to muss her smooth brown hair, but she didn't seem to notice; her eyes were glowing with a pure, unshielded excitement. For a moment he allows himself to fantasize about the scene—wondering just how the crowd of elegant strangers would react if he suddenly dropped to one knee right there on the grass.
"Sarah," he whispered, his fingers tightening around the box. He began to pull it from his pocket, but the moment was shattered by the host's voice over the speakers, abruptly announcing the evening's closing.
Sarah whipped around, her face bright with a sudden sense of urgency. "Oh! Mitchel, come on!" she said, ushering him toward the back lawn while there was still time to squeeze in one or two vendors.
He let out a quiet sigh and slipped the box back into the depth of his coat. There will be a better time, he reassured himself, though his heart didn't quite settle as he followed her into the crowd.