Story description: What's a grumpy fashion designer to do when she meets a fairy godmother? Fall in love, of course!

Like Magic

"It looks like a Cinderella gown," Berlinda said.

"Really?" Marie beamed.

"That isn't a compliment. Only bridal gowns and Halloween costumes should ever be compared to a Cinderella gown."

"Oh." Marie stepped away from the dress form to look at Berlinda, who lounged against the doorway between their work areas.

No one ever said it out loud, but Berlinda was certain Marie was a fairy godmother. Almost everyone who worked at Like Magic was. The whole business model was based on a Cinderella scenario. If you needed to sneak into an exclusive event, the Like Magic crew would get you inside and provide the attire that made you look like you fit in. Clients usually couldn't afford to pay, but that never seemed to be a problem.

What was a problem was that all of the other dress designers were stuck a few centuries in the past. That's why they'd recruited Berlinda. It hadn't turned out to be the dream job she'd hoped for. It paid the bills, including her tuition at Parson's School of Design, but the workload was intense, and she wasn't getting the exposure she needed. Her name and label only went on gowns that had been assigned to her, and that wasn't many, not when all of her time was spent fixing everyone else's messes.

"You never seem to like anyone's designs," Marie said. "Why are you so grumpy? Do you get enough sleep? I can brew the perfect tea to help you relax."

Berlinda scowled. Who had time to sleep? "Listen, your materials are to-die-for, and your workmanship is impeccable, but who are you designing for?"

"Charlie needs to slip into her company's executive dinner party to get the CIO to pay attention to her ideas," Marie said.

"And how are you getting her into the party?"

"She'll arrive with the catering crew, wearing one of their uniforms, and then she'll slip away to change into a formal gown."

"And how is she supposed to hide and carry a ballgown that's so wide it barely fits through a standard doorway?"

Marie beamed again. "We specialize in..." She trailed off. "You know about the special technology we use for compressing the gowns."

"Technology. Right." It was totally magic, but that wasn't the point. "This event isn't a ball, so why a ballgown? Why not make Charlie a formal dinner gown that can fit under the uniform?"

Marie looked flummoxed. "That isn't... I mean... I only..."

"Your magic produces ballgowns because that's all you ever do."

"I'm not... We don't..."

"You think I haven't figured out that half of you don't even know how to operate a sewing machine?"

Marie pulled Berlinda inside and closed the door. "How long have you known?"

"Like, since day three. No, day two. It just took another day for me to believe it."

"You've seen Charlie. Do you think this would suit her?" Marie opened a sketchpad and flipped to the image a surprisingly edgy gown.

Berlinda sat down to study the drawing. "This is perfect for her. Why are you making that monstrosity instead?"

"I only know how to make monstrosities. I mean, ballgowns. I have the vision for more modern designs, but not the execution."

"Well, hell, if you're willing to learn, I can teach you the execution."

Marie was a quick study. Whenever she learned a skill by hand, that skill was added to her magical skillset, too. Within a couple of months she could bring her designs to life with a quick swoosh of her wand.

Berlinda shook her head as she watched Marie work her magic with the wand. "What I wouldn't give for one of those."

Marie's smile turned downright devious. "There is a way, if you really want one."

"What, do I have to sell my soul or something?"

"Well, you'd have to accept a fairy godmother assignment, but it's hardly soul-crushing."

###

Berlinda rolled her eyes when she saw the gown. A full, Cinderella-style, poofy ballgown. "I have to wear that?"

"The first step to becoming a fairy godmother is getting into our annual ball. You have to dress the part."

"Is that glitter? I draw the line at glitter."

"Think of it as bling," Marie advised. "I know you don't like the gown, but I can promise you won't be wearing it long."

"That has to be the most suggestive thing I've ever heard you say. Please tell me you're promising spectacular sex after I crash the party."

Marie blushed. They'd started dating, but hadn't progressed to an overnight date yet. "I hope so, but that isn't what I meant. This gown is the disguise. Think of it as the caterer's uniform we use to sneak people into events. Once you've arrived and the fairy godmothers notice you, that's when you cast aside the gown for the big reveal."

Berlinda sighed. She was a sucker for a reveal on the runway. "What do I wear under the gown?"

"Whatever you feel best represents your skills."

"My signature look."

Marie nodded.

"The look that's going to make you want to tear off all of my clothing, and all of your clothing, and ditch the party for spectacular sex in the nearest closet."

Marie caught her breath. "Yes, please."

"Because I know what really gets you hot and bothered is exquisite draping."

"Oh, yes."

"I'm going to be the Greek goddess of your dreams."

"Aphrodite," Marie said on a sigh.

"You know, we should be partners."

"I knoowww," Marie groaned.

"Well, yeah, that too. But I mean business partners. You design the poofy wedding gowns, and I'll design lingerie fit for a sex goddess to wear underneath."

"Shut up and kiss me," Marie demanded.

And they lived happily ever after.

A/N: Freely admitting that everything I know about design I learned from watching Project Runway.