“What did you do to my parents?” I asked as Vanessa pulled a chilled mineral water from the mini fridge, offering one to me.
“Whatever do you mean?”
“I mean, they actually liked you. Everything about my new life as an entertainer has shocked them to the point that they’re criticizing each and every detail. I thought of all people, you’d surprise them the most.”
“I feel like I should be offended by that,” Vanessa mused but ultimately ended up giggling about it. “What can I say? I know how to turn on the charm when I need to. Limousines were only one part of my privileged existence. Etiquette school was one of the most annoying parts, but I’ve found it’s come to pay off.”
“Because now you know how to politely manipulate people?”
Vanessa shrugged, her dark eyes twinkling as she delicately sipped her drink. “That’s one way of looking at it.”
“So, where are we going? You need more expensive jewelry that you can forget you own until you find it in one of your two hundred designer purses?”
“Not today. We’re going to get you a new wardrobe. That shirt’s a nice touch, by the way.”
Looking down at my cotton t-shirt, I smiled at the fluffy orange kitten playing with a ball of yarn. “Why do you hate it so much? I bought it this year, so it’s not like there aren’t other people out there wearing the exact same thing.”
“Because, you aren’t like other people. You’re a rising pop star, and your fans as well as your critics are going to hold you to a different standard. If you want to wear that shirt, you’ll have to do it where no one in public will ever see you with it. Keep the cats at home.”
Shaking my head, I laughed and sat back in my cushy seat, knowing I wasn’t going to win an argument about styling with Vanessa, especially while captive in her limo.
Looking around the spacious and luxurious cab, I mentioned, “You know, I’ve only actually ever ridden in a limo once before, and it was during my senior prom when I went with Robby.”
Twisting on the cap of her water, Vanessa leaned forward. “Tell me about this Robby character.”
I lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “What do you want to know? We dated in high school for a couple of years, my parents loved him. We broke up shortly after graduation, and I haven’t really seen him since.”
“Until dinner last night.”
“How did you…?”
“Warren told Harrison and me when he got back after dinner with you. He might have put on a happy face for you, but he’s quite distressed about this date you’re going on with Robby. Tonight, isn’t it?”
I opened my mouth to speak but couldn’t seem to put words to what I was feeling. Warren was bothered by me going out with Robby, enough to dish that information to other people? I wondered how he felt about it now that we’d had a horrendous argument about the semantics of our breakup, which had left me both full of angst and oddly hollow. Maybe now he didn’t care who I dated, and he’d move on himself. The thought of that made my stomach wring in knots.
“Yeah. It’s more of a friendly, catch-up sort of date. I don’t think Robby’s expecting anything to really come of it. I mean, we live thousands of miles apart. It’d never work.”
“Love always finds a way,” Vanessa pointed out.
I threw my hands up in the air. “Why are you being so cryptic? When we met in the penthouse, you were ready to throw Warren under the bus for breaking my heart, and now, you’re championing him in his effort to win me back. Which is it? Because all this switching sides is going to give me whiplash.”
“All I’m saying is that maybe there was the possibility I was wrong. I don’t want you to miss out on something that made you so obviously happy.”
“I feel like I still barely know Warren, and I think I made a pretty convincing argument for my hesitation when we went to see the meteor shower last night.”
Vanessa’s face lit up. “You went on a date last night? And to look at the stars? How romantic.”
“It wasn’t a date,” I stammered. “I was basically blackmailed into going by him and my sister. I mean, sure, it was really sweet, but we ended up arguing and ending with more hurt feelings than before. I just don’t see how it could ever work out between us. I think that ship has sailed.”
Vanessa was quiet for a moment before she reached over and placed her dainty hand over the top of mine. “For what it’s worth, I think you should give it another shot.”
I sniffed as tears filled my eyes, never feeling more unsure and more horrible for how I’d treated Warren. If I could go back in time and start all over with a blank slate with Warren, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Since I couldn’t, and if I ever wanted to be with him, I’d have to sort through the sloppy, tangled mess like a big girl.
“Here we are,” Vanessa said, her mood instantly happy as a row of high-end stores came into view. When the chauffeur opened the door, she slipped on a pair of large sunglasses that made her resemble a fly and asked, “Ready?”
Pulling in a deep, satisfying breath, I nodded. It was only shopping, after all.
I walked along with Vanessa, who didn’t dawdle as she marched from one store to the next. Mostly, she talked while I listened. She loaded my arms with clothes and made me try them on, appraising each outfit with a masterful eye. By lunchtime, my arms were starting to ache from the weight of the shopping bags I was carrying.
“Are we about done? These bags are heavier than a civil war era cannon. I mean, look! The straps are about to saw through my flesh,” I complained.
“You’re as unenjoyable to shop with as Ruby. The two of you whine like mules.”
Adjusting the shopping bags, I blew a loose strand of hair off my forehead. “Seriously, are we done? I have enough clothes here to dress everyone at Harper Music for a week. What else could I possibly need?”
She pointed to a building. I followed her finger to a lingerie store that had all sorts of mannequins sporting the sort of frilly undergarments that I’d never worn. Immediately, my mom’s voice came through loud and clear in my mind, noticing how utterly impractical and probably itchy those types of undies would be.
“Um, no,” I refused. “I’m not the type of girl who needs fancy underthings.”
“You sure?” Vanessa asked with a question in her eyes. “They sell pajamas that people wouldn’t make fun of for wearing.”
“You’re the only one who’s made fun of them.”
“As I rightfully should; your pajamas are hideous. Plus, you’re the one who’s always complaining that you need help from a good push up bra.”
“Shh!” I hushed her. “We are in public, if you haven’t noticed. I’d rather not talk about the state of my bosoms while there are other people nearby.”
Something behind me caught Vanessa’s attention, and she smiled and waved. Looking over my shoulder, I saw a group of high school-aged girls with their phones out, rapidly snapping photos of Vanessa and me.
Shielding my face, I grabbed Vanessa’s arm and headed for a store full of occasion dresses, from cocktail to prom, with the opposite side devoted to suits and tuxedos. Shoving her toward the back of the store, I stopped myself short of climbing into the clothing racks to conceal myself.
“You need a dress?” Vanessa asked casually, pretending not to notice how much she embarrassed me. Choosing a rack, she pushed the dresses past, one by one. “I suppose you are going on a date tonight, so you should treat yourself to something special.”
“Even if I’m going with Robby instead of Warren?”
Vanessa waved her hand in the air, making the bracelets on her arm jangle noisily. “You can save it for when you go out with Warren.”
“You’re impossible, Vanessa. You know that?”
“So I’ve been told.”
I walked around the store with Vanessa while she once again loaded me with garments and sent me back to the changing room. Pulling off my clothes, I wriggled into a tight, emerald number that went all the way to the floor.
Turning around and looking at myself in the mirror, I snorted at what I saw.
“Vanessa? I can’t wear this.”
I heard her voice drifting over the top of the stall door. “Need something in a bigger size?”
“No,” I said, smoothing my hands down the stretchy, form-fitting dress. “It’s because it makes me look like a sprig of asparagus, and not in a flattering way.”
I heard Vanessa laughing generously at my judgement of what she’d chosen. “Fine. Toss it over and I’ll put it back.”
I yanked it back over my head and draped it over the door. It disappeared to the other side while I got busy trying on a few more, hurrying to get done so we could go get a bite to eat. My feet were aching and had started sweating in my shoes while my grumpy stomach reminded me that I should have had seconds for breakfast.
The dresses were either too short, too embellished, too revealing, or too weird for my taste, until I pulled on a soft pink dress that flattered my figure and made me feel flirty and feminine. Turning side to side, I let the skirt of the dress swish along my legs. Even though I was scheduled to go out with Robby, I immediately found myself wondering what Warren would think of me in the pastel pink frock. I smiled to myself, sure he would flatter me with one of his smooth, Southern compliments that made my cheeks burn.
“Vanessa?” I called over the door. “I think I might have found the one.”
No answer.
“Vanessa?”
Opening the door a crack, I peeked out to scan the store for her. Toward the cash registers, I could see her surrounded by the same girls who had been snapping photos of us earlier. She was posing for selfies and chatting with them while every single girl vibrated excitedly and waited her turn for an autograph. I chuckled to myself again about Vanessa’s uncanny ability to schmooze people into loving her, a skill that I knew would come in handy throughout her career as a singer. About to shut the door, my attention was piqued by a familiar voice coming from nearby.
“It was really great to finally meet you. She talks about you a lot, you know.”
Warren was standing with one hand on his hip, his other holding his phone to his ear as he slowly perused the men’s section of the store. I didn’t peg Warren as much of a shopper, especially for menswear. The only time I’d seen him sporting a suit was when we had public appearances, and even then, Harrison provided, no shopping necessary.
Continuing to press my face against the door so I could get the best view without opening it further, I knew I was spying but I didn’t care as long as Warren didn’t catch me in the act. Vanessa had me convinced he was heartbroken, but from what I could hear, he appeared to be perfectly content.
Warren chuckled and dropped his gaze to the ground, tapping the toe of his cowboy book against the tiled floor.
“I know what you mean. She can be as stubborn as they come.” He nodded again. “I’m actually at the store looking right now. Yeah, I think a double date with them could be a lot of fun.”
I had to restrain myself from shoving aside the fitting room door and running over to Warren and snatching the phone from his hand to see who he was talking to. If he was in such despair over losing me, why was he already cooing to another woman about double dating?
Warren took a few steps further, over to the rack of dresses where my favorite pink dress was prominently displayed. He touched the fabric, rubbing it gently between his fingers and smiled. I strained to hear his conversation over the radio station being filtered through the speakers as he continued.
He stopped and threw his head back, laughing at something the caller had said. “Can I just say I love how your mind works? It’s a thing of beauty.”
My teeth felt like they were going to crack if I clenched them any harder. Love? Beauty? Those weren’t the kinds of words a heartbroken man should be telling another woman.
“Well, you should know. You’re Eloise’s sister.” I could barely hear Warren’s voice, but my name immediately piqued my attention. “Yep, I’ll see you soon. Have a wonderful day, Stella.”
My heart skidded to a very abrupt halt.
Chapter Twelve
I hid in the changing room, sitting on the corner bench with my knees hugged to my chest, my arms wrapped around them. Tucking my chin, I gnawed on my lip, forbidding myself to sob and snivel, a feat that was more difficult than I thought it would be once the initial numbness and shock wore off. Warren had been flirting with my sister on the phone only hours after he’d begged me to give him a second chance. I’d dated enough guys to know where their weaknesses might lie, but I’d never been two-timed by someone, especially with my sister. The whole thing made me want to run away and become that crazy, shut-in cat lady that Vanessa had insinuated more than once I might be. With my history of failed relationships, the cat lady lifestyle was sounding more and more appealing.
I knew the eventual knock would come as Vanessa realized I’d been missing once her horde of fans had to go when their moms came to pick them up. “You still in there? Or did you fall into a shopping coma?”
Rubbing my hands down my face, I cleared my throat and tried to answer in a chipper voice to disguise my anguish, “I survived. Be out in a minute.”
“Did you see Warren was here? Came in not long after us and left with a really nice black suit.”
“Did he?” I played dumb and lied. “I was in the dressing room the whole time. Didn’t know he was here.”
Grabbing the armload of dresses, I stepped out and plastered on a smile, dumping them onto the unwanted rack.
“You didn’t like any of them?” Vanessa asked, confused by my apparent indifference to the lovely dresses she’d chosen for me.
“None of them were really my style,” I said while flipping my hair off my shoulder, hoping my movements appeared natural and not as forced as they felt.
I sadly eyed the pink dress with the cap sleeves and pleated skirt one last time, feeling a wave of pity as I left it there. I really did love it but, in my mind, I’d already associated it with Warren. Merely looking at it made my stomach churn nauseatingly. I wasn’t about to have a reminder that I cared what he thought in my suitcase every time I opened it.
“Let’s go,” I said as I picked up my other bags. “Lunch?”
Vanessa took me to a posh little ramen restaurant before I convinced her to drop me off at home. She insisted that we hadn’t even shopped for accessories, and I only had two new pairs of shoes. I threatened to call the police and say I’d been kidnapped if she tried to coax me into another store. Huffing a breath through her lips, she lowered the privacy divider of the limo and grudgingly directed the driver to take me home.
It was already four in the afternoon by the time the limo pulled into my parents’ driveway, but the sun was still strong, making the heat from the day sweltering. I waved goodbye to Vanessa and sprinted up to the house for the safety of the air conditioning as a gross trickle of sweat ran down between my shoulder blades and absorbed into my bra.
As I pushed through the front door, I found my mom in the sitting room, feather duster in hand, patiently brushing it over every single picture frame on the wall.
“Did you enjoy your time with Vanessa?” Mom asked as I walked in.
“Fantastic!” I said chipperly while internally grimacing that I sounded slightly like a maniacal.
“Such a nice girl.”
“She really is.” Gesturing for the steps, I excused myself. “I could use a shower. It’s surprisingly humid outside, and I feel a little sticky because of it.”
Grabbing my cat pajamas from my room, I headed for the bathroom, not caring that it was too early for any normal adult to be getting ready for bed. I wanted to make good on my goal of slumping on the couch in a romantic comedy movie stupor for the remainder of my time at home. Tomorrow, we’d be back on the road, bound for Salt Lake City and the concert tour life. I’d have to face Warren—worse, perform with him—and needed to unwind to be able to do that without immediately lunging for him
and wrapping my hands around his throat. I didn’t suppose choking him in public would endear me to Harper Music.
A few shuddering sobs escaped me while I stood under the lukewarm water, letting the shampoo rinse from my hair, but for the most part, I kept them canned up, refusing to give Warren any more power to make me cry. I’d already spent plenty of time bemoaning the unfortunate ending to our relationship the first time with him, and I refused to do it again. Other than him, life was going splendidly.
I opened the bathroom door and came face to face with Stella. “Took you long enough.”
Slapping my hand over my mouth, I muffled a small shriek. When I recovered, I moved my hand down to my pounding chest and chastised my baby sister. “Geez, Stella! Stalker much?”
“I’ve been waiting for forty-five minutes for you to get out of the bathroom. You never take that long.” Tipping her head to the side, she narrowed her eyes, the same shade of blue as mine. “Are you feeling ok?”
I wanted to ask her a million questions—why she was going behind my back with Warren, why she hadn’t said anything about being interested, why they were barely giving me time to mourn the loss of our second chance. I didn’t blame her for one second for the predicament I found myself in, instead placing that squarely on Warren’s broad shoulders. He was the snake I never suspected and had masterfully manipulated the situation to his benefit.
“I’m outstanding,” I lied.
Stella’s lips twitched. She could see right through my dishonesty but was kind enough not to call me out on it. I’m sure she knew I’d crack eventually and spill my guts, but right now, everything was still too raw, and I loved her for letting me keep it private until I was prepared.
“Well, that’s good because I’m here to help you get ready for your date.”
My mind went blank. “My date?”
“Remember? With Robby? You agreed to going with him last night at dinner?”
“Oh, right…” Going to dinner with Robby was one of the last things I wanted to do at the moment. “I’m not sure I’m up to it. I’m kind of wiped after the day shopping with Vanessa.”
Written in the Stars Page 12