AFTER DINNER, PEGGY came over to study. I was surprised when Pam knocked on my door. She looked stressed.
“I didn’t know who to talk to, but I need to talk,” she babbled.
Peggy hugged her and Pam started to cry. I silently thanked Peggy, and when Peggy gave me the eye to get out, I was more than willing to go to my bedroom to let them talk. Then I got a text I wished I hadn’t. It was Tami who wanted to talk. This must be bugging her, because it was already late in the UK. I jumped onto video chat.
“What did they do to you?” she demanded when she saw my tattoos.
“I got drunk and Jeff and Alan talked me into getting it done. I have to say Mom isn’t happy.”
“Is this why we’re not getting an apartment in Chicago for the summer?” she asked.
I knew better than to lie to her. She could read me like a book, so I didn’t bother.
“No, it’s my fault. Your mom and mine cornered me tonight to get my true feelings about the summer. I confessed I was only doing it for you. I think your mom misses you, so mine told me I couldn’t go. Don’t be mad at them. They love you.”
She got a tight look on her face and then nodded.
“Okay, I agree,” she said, then she smiled. “I think you’re starting to grow up. You’d have never let them know how you really felt before. You keep it up and we may have to see if we’re ready to date when I get home.”
“Don’t say it if you don’t mean it,” I warned her.
She knew I would jump at the opportunity, but if it ever began, it would be forever. I’d never give her up again.
“I know. I feel the same way. Thanks for telling me. I need to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Tami, I love you,” I said.
“I love you, too,” she said and then logged off.
Twenty minutes later Peggy came and got me. She gave me the generic version of what had transpired. Pam’s best friend Tracy was being treated and couldn’t have any visitors except for family for the time being. Mary told her Tracy had settled in and looked forward to the treatment.
The cheerleaders had decided to elect Mona as Head Cheerleader. That had upset Pam quite a bit. Pam also had begun to realize she didn’t have any close friends except for Tracy. Peggy pointed out we thought of her as a friend. She said Pam seemed much happier after that.
Peggy then reminded me we hadn’t nearly made up for not seeing each other for two weeks. I agreed she had a point.
Friday February 6
“GINA TASMAN TO THE office,” the speaker called.
I was waiting for her when she walked in. Kara had arranged for her to come with me to New York for the weekend. It was supposed to be a surprise.
“Can I help you?” the office lady asked.
“I’m Gina,” she told her.
“Ah, yes, Miss Tasman, you’re to go with Mr. Dawson,” she said, pointing me out.
“Let’s go,” I said and took her to her locker.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Get your coat and your purse. Your mom told me to take you home.”
She started to get nervous, so I winked at her. I was surprised when she just followed me out to my Jeep.
“What’s going on?” she asked again as we drove to her house.
“I’ll let your mom explain,” I said.
She knew if I went quiet, there was no making me talk, so she decided to ignore me. We pulled up to her house and she jumped out to be met at the back door by her mom with her suitcase. I heard her squeal as her mom told her what was going on. Gina hugged her mom and then ran to the Jeep. I grabbed her suitcase and put it into the back. I waved at her mom and we drove to my house.
We met Kendal there and I put Gina’s bag into Kendal’s car. Mom was home, so I went in and hugged her, then grabbed my suitcase and garment bag and we were off to the airport. I let Gina ride up front with Kendal and put my earbuds in. I knew Gina and Kendal could both talk. I pulled out my reading and homework. I wanted to get it done on the ride to the airport so I wouldn’t have to do homework in New York.
Whenever I would glance up, Gina was about to jump out of her skin, she was that excited. Kendal enjoyed her enthusiasm, or so I thought. I really should have listened to what was going on; I would later find out they had compared notes on me. I would find this out shortly after takeoff when Gina would innocently ask me what party hos were. I heard Kendal break up laughing in the seat right behind us. The conversation got more embarrassing the longer it went. I was never so happy to get off a plane as I was when we finally landed in New York. I vowed Kendal and Gina would sit next to each other on the flight back.
CHUCK WAS WAITING FOR us when we made it to baggage claim, as he was my security for the weekend. I really appreciated he was my designated guy. I hadn’t seen him since the night he was with me when Halle had spotted the stalker from the restaurant. During the rest of our stay, the production company provided security, so I was interested to find out what happened. He waited until we were in the car to tell me.
“The guy Halle pointed out was not a normal fan. He had bad intentions. The Vancouver police arrested him and turned up some interesting things in his van. Let’s just say Halle was lucky he didn’t get his hands on her,” Chuck told me.
“What’s this all about?” Kendal asked.
Chuck gave me a glance that told me he’d tell me everything later.
“Halle had a stalker in Vancouver and we took care of it,” Chuck told her.
I was glad Chuck took care of it. The guy had given me the creeps.
WHEN WE ARRIVED AT the condo, Tyler met us at the new talents’ apartment. Currently, Kara and three other models were staying there. They had configured it so eight people could live there comfortably. Tyler showed Chuck, Gina and Kendal where they would sleep. While they settled in, she took me up to their place. I was staying in their guest bedroom.
“How’s business?” I asked.
“We just signed a big deal from one of your leads from England. Remember Olivia and Courtney from your modeling camp?”
“Oh yeah, they both were local. Have you seen them?”
“They’re two of the girls living in the apartment with Kara. We signed them when their Ford contracts expired. The two of them are going to do the shoot for the English company. They’re also excited to see you. One other girl you might remember, Abby Ferrell, also lives with Kara.”
“What happened to her sister Andi?” I asked.
Abby and Andi were twins that I had worked with in Miami.
“Andi’s in Atlanta doing a shoot. She’s normally here, you just missed her.”
“What are the plans for the weekend?” I asked, getting down to business.
“You’ll be working with Dakora all day Saturday and on Sunday till about four o’clock. Tonight, Adrienne wants to take everyone out on the town. Kara and the other girls wanted to take you dancing tonight. They know you have to work, so it won’t be anything too stressful.
“Tomorrow Kara’s taking Gina sightseeing while you’re at the photo shoot. Then tomorrow night, you and Adrienne are having dinner with some key people,” Tyler said.
“Could you be any more mysterious? What do you mean by key people?”
“I’ll let Adrienne tell you. I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.”
I just shrugged. They’d tell me when they were ready.
I WAS SHOCKED, SHOCKED I tell you, that they made Adrienne cool her heels in the bar when our table wasn’t ready. What was this world coming to? The girls and Adrienne thought my outrage was funny. I contended if a celebrity of Adrianne’s magnitude couldn’t get us a table, then what good was it.