Rich and Ready

CHAPTER ONE

"Don't worry, I'll have them sent to you by tomorrow. Thanks, Jason."

Birdie sighed, hanging up the phone. She worked her way endlessly through the night, editing all of Mr. and Mrs. Vicenza's wedding photos.

She smiled at the sight of the young couple very much in love, and thought back to her own wedding day. Had she looked that way at one point in time too?

Birdie was young, a budding photographer just getting on her feet.

She knew her way around a camera like no other, though it was her people skills that really needed work. She didn't get out much, not since finishing college. Even then, she kept to herself. She never partied, barely drank. She just came home to her husband.

Vance Levitt. They were high school sweethearts. Married right after her eighteenth birthday, they moved halfway across the country together for his job.

She didn't mind much back then, but now...things had changed. They grew apart, but she still that tiny inkling of hope that maybe they could rekindle what they once had.

Her mind drifted as she edited the last photo, it was late. Nearing one in the morning, Vance had still not returned home. He was out with his friends at a pub and she found herself growing a little lonely. She wished she had more friends. But all her friends were back home.

By the time she went to bed, it was nearly time for her to wake again.

***

"You'll do fine, Bird. Quit worrying so much."

His words came out rushed, like he didn't care much and it hurt her feelings.

"You don't know what it's like. These people depend on me, it's one of the most important days of their life. The photos need to be perfect..."

"It's just photos, babe." She frowned at her husband, his words clearly meaning nothing, he scrolled away on his phone paying half attention.

She sighed, getting up from her seat on the couch as she made her way to her office, before his voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Babe..I'm sorry."

She turned to find him facing her now, beckoning her back over to the couch beside him. She didn't hesitate to walk back over.

"I know we've been distant lately, and a lot of it has to do with me. I need to be better." She smiled at Vance, thankful that he might just be coming around.

This could be good, progress.

"Listen, let's go on a date. It's been a while, right?" She nodded, smiling even wider as he took her hands in his. They felt foreign in hers, it had been so long.

"I would love that." She spoke softly.

"My work is hosting a charity gala...be my date?" She deflated a little.

Vance worked in the marketing division of a luxury Airline company, and she met a few people he worked with already. Enough to know that she didn't fit into that world.

She didn't know how to rock an elegant dress, she didn't know a thing about any sort of business talk and when she did try to converse, they made her feel stupid. Seeming to notice her expression, he tried to ease her worries.

"Come on, you and Mireille can go shopping for a dress, you can have fun! Right?" She smiled, but not because he was happy.

At least he was trying...right?

"Okay."

***

Birdie fumbled with the slit of her sage green dress, feeling only slightly uncomfortable now.