by Janna King
#WearNationalFire
“Rumors are that it was arson. Otto probably torched it for the insurance money.”
“Do you think the kids know?” asked Lyndon.
“Vincent checked in this morning before the fire.” Grace showed her a text from Vincent. “The boys went wind-surfing. Mia and Jade went to the farmers market.”
“Hopefully Mia kept Presley and Jade from ripping each other’s hair out,” remarked Lyndon.
“He said Presley didn’t go. She appeared to be miffed about the Mia dress.”
“She stayed home to pout-n-primp?” asked Lyndon.
Grace scrolled through Presley’s Instagram, showing Lyndon. “There’s nothing for most of the day until this.” She showed Lyndon a selfie of Presley holding a lobster roll with Old South Wharf in the background:
East Coast cravings. #BeWyld #nomnom
“That’s Jeffrey’s Deli, Old South Wharf—best on the island,” said Grace.
“Good God, Grace, how can you eat so much mayonnaise?”
Grace peered at her phone, scrutinizing Presley’s selfie. “She looks a little more tousled than usual,” remarked Grace.
“Let’s call them.” Lyndon nodded to the iPad.
Grace group texted on her phone:
Skype now.
Vincent pinged back:
I’ll round everyone up.
“MTV will eat this up, I’m sure.” Lyndon shuddered. “It creates sympathy for Wear National. Goddammit!”
“I think you’re giving Otto too much credit,” said Grace.
“He didn’t get where he is by talent,” replied Lyndon. “You know that.”
Grace got another text from Vincent:
Ready.
She opened Skype and pressed the icon with the group photo of the seasonaires from the first day at the estate. Vincent was in the middle of the screen. He moved back to reveal everyone in the living room.
Lyndon’s smile was warm and concerned. “Hello, my darlings. I’m sure you’ve heard the news about the Wear National store fire.”
Mia nodded and glanced at Jade, who was sitting next to her on the couch. J.P. watched Jade from the ottoman. His arms were crossed.
“I wanted to make sure you’re all okay,” Lyndon said. “I needed to see you all with my own two eyes.”
“We’re peachy here,” exclaimed Presley. “Not to worry, Lyndon!” She was sitting next to Grant on the loveseat, even though there was plenty of room next to Mia.
“It’s just a reminder to make the most of life,” said Lyndon. “I feel very protec—” Her voice caught with emotion.
“We both feel protective,” added Grace.
“Will we be seeing you next week for Fourth of July festivities?” asked Mia.
Lyndon sniffed back her tears. “No, my darling. We go to London to see our mum.”
“God save the queen and all that.” Grace offered a regal wave.
“The Summer Solstice Soiree was our big event,” said Lyndon.
“We let you handle Independence Day independently at The Rabbit Hole,” added Grace.
“My baby sister is so punny.” Lyndon put her hand on Grace’s shoulder.
“We will light it up!” Grant pumped his arms in the air.
All the seasonaires glared at him.
He brought his arms down. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Watch yourselves,” said Lyndon. “Watch one another.”
“We’ll check back soon,” said Grace as she and Lyndon waved. Grace clicked off and the screen went black.
Lyndon stood. Her smartphone buzzed on the desk. She picked it up. “Son of a bitch!” she shrieked and threw the phone against the wall, missing Grace’s head by a millimeter.
“What the hell?” chuckled Grace. “Remember the Play-Doh container you threw at me, when they used to have metal bottoms?” She pointed to a tiny scar on her chin. “Ten stitches.”
“I wasn’t throwing my phone at you.”
“Why were you throwing your phone at all?”
“He just broke up with me!” Lyndon yelled. “Over text!”
“Why you little tart.” Grace raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”
“I’m not!” Lyndon paced, breathing heavily.
Seeing that Lyndon was sincerely upset, Grace grew serious. “Who broke up with you?”
“Maz! He killed our footwear line deal!”
“Shit,” whispered Grace.
“This is Otto!” yelled Lyndon. “He fucked with Jade at my party to turn Maz against me! He knew Maz would find out!” Lyndon paced.
Grace followed Lyndon around the room. “We’ll fix this. It’s going to be fine.”
Lyndon pointed to the desk phone. “Call him.”
Grace picked up the receiver and dialed. “Maz, please. I have Lyndon Wyld on the line.” She listened for a beat, then hung up and looked at Lyndon. “He’s gone home for the day.”
“It’s six o’clock. He never goes home this early!”
Grace speed-dialed Maz on her smartphone. “He’s blocked my calls.”
Lyndon stopped and stared at Grace. “Or maybe Maz thinks we had something to do with the fire.”
“The arson is a rumor, Lyndon,” replied Grace.
“Otto could’ve put that bug in his ear! He’s the maggot that needs to be squashed!”
Lyndon lifted the bonsai off her desk and whipped it at the wall with all her might. The clay pot shattered, dirt spraying across the floor. The mini tree lay there, roots naked and exposed.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Mia placed one of Jade’s farmers market flower arrangements on the dresser in the bedroom.
Presley entered. “I put away some of the groceries.”
“Do you deserve a prize?” Mia’s tone was snarky.
“I do!” Presley exclaimed. “The first shower. I gave you the first shower for doing something you’d never done before here when you racked up the most likes. I’ve never put away the groceries, so I’m giving myself a prize.”
“Why have you been such a bitch to me?”
“I’m not being a bitch. I’m giving you space to grow.” Presley’s sarcasm was thick. “Grow your social media, grow your relationship with Lyndon. The only reason you’re getting anywhere is because I’m letting you.”
“You’re letting me?” exclaimed Mia.
“Yes,” replied Presley. “I gave you the dress.”
“And I thanked you. But I did the work.” Mia put her hand on the sewing machine.
“You cut-and-pasted.”
“What’s your problem, Presley?”
“My problem is . . .” Presley took a deep breath. “I need a shower.” She removed her clothes, dropped them on her bed, and disappeared into the bathroom. Mia shook her head, her mouth agape. While the water ran in the bathroom, she sat on her bed and opened Skype. She clicked on the photo of her mom, who answered after two rings. Kathryn lay in bed, wearing a Boston College Eagles hoodie with a wool comforter pulled up under her arms.
“Are you okay?” Kathryn’s question was immediate. “I saw the news.”
“Mom, yes. Everyone here is fine.”
“Nantucket is only fourteen miles long! A fire could spread.”
“It could, but it didn’t.”
“Thank God.”
Mia perked up. She wasn’t going to let Presley make this day any worse. “Want to hear some good news?”
“Always.”
Mia beamed. “Lyndon Wyld is going to sell a dress that I designed.”
“That’s incredible, baby!” Kathryn’s eyes lit up against her pale skin.
“You would love the fringe, Mom. I’ll make sure to get not just one, but two in your size.”
“I’m a zero now.” Kathryn made an “0” with her fingers. “I have to shop in the kids’ department. Those fashionistas you’re hanging out with would be jealous.”
“I’m not jealous,” said Mia. “I’m worried.”
Sean came into frame, handing his mom a glass of water and a rainbow collection of pills.
“You’d better be eating Sean’s food, Mom,” chided Mia. “I know he’s cooking for you.”
“I made spaghetti tonight,” said Sean. “Grandma’s magic sauce.”
“We’re on the same wavelength.” Mia exchanged a bittersweet look with her brother. “I’m making it tomorrow night. I lost a bet.”
The water turned off in the bathroom.
“It wasn’t a big a hit here.” Sean side-eyed their mom.
“Mom, you have to eat.” Mia pushed in closer to her laptop camera to make her point.
“I’m trying,” said Kathryn.
“Try harder, please.”
Kathryn changed the subject. “I’m so proud of you, honey. You’re incredibly talented and now the world gets to see it.” Kathryn turned to Sean. “Aren’t you proud of your sister?”
Presley exited the bathroom, hair wet, wrapped in a towel. “Oh, hi!” she said, ensuring that she was in the Skype screen for Sean to see. “Don’t mind me.”
“This is Presley.” Mia nodded back to Presley.
“Good to meet you, Presley.” Kathryn smiled.
“I can see where Mia gets her beautiful eyes,” chimed Presley.
“You’re sweet,” said Kathryn.
“There’s a whole family resemblance, that’s for darn sure.” Presley gestured to the screen. Sean glanced down and shook his head with a dry chuckle, then looked back up. Presley pulled a sheer nightie out of the dresser and held it up, stepping into the screen’s frame. “Well, I’m gonna get ready for bed.”
“Somewhere else, of course,” said Mia, prompting.
“I hope I get to meet y’all soon in person.” Presley offered up a “toodles” wave, then traipsed back into the bathroom.
“And by get ready, she means selfie-ready.” Mia mimed applying cosmetics to her face.
“She seems nice,” Sean said flatly.
“From your selfies, it looks like you’re having an amazing time.” Kathryn beamed. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a beat, then smiled. “I should let you go. You probably have tons to do tomorrow. You must be getting ready for the Fourth of July there. I’m sure it’s huge on Nantucket.”
“It is.” Mia’s stomach twisted with guilt. “What are you both doing?”
“Ordering in barbecue from AK’s, watching Stand by Me.” said Sean.
“No Red Devils out front this year?” asked Mia.
“Nope,” said Sean wearily. Mia noticed the dark circles under his eyes.
“Those are dangerous anyway.” Kathryn furrowed her brow at Sean. “Remember when you almost lost a finger?”
“Not the important finger.” He flipped off Mia. She returned the gesture. This was usually done in jest, but as Sean kept his middle finger up, his jaw was hard.
“Okay. Well, I miss you both,” Mia said. “Let’s talk soon.”
Mia and Kathryn blew each other kisses. Sean clicked off.
Mia could see the Lyndon Wyld icon still active on Skype. She looked back at the bathroom door. The water was still running. She held her breath and pressed the button. The Skype bell rang five times. Mia reached out to click off when Lyndon answered.
“Lyndon, hi!”
“Mia, my darling.” Lyndon’s brow knit. “Are you all right? Grace just went home. Do you need to speak with her, too?”
“No, I’m fine,” replied Mia. She pulled one of the decorative pillows onto her lap. “I didn’t get the chance to tell you how grateful I am for the opportunity with the dress.”
“You deserve it! It’s a brilliant piece,” said Lyndon. “I’m sure Grace told you how much I adore it.”
“I’m so glad. That’s a huge compliment.” Mia twisted the etched silver ring on her forefinger. “I was thinking . . . what if I did a photo shoot?”
“With the group?”
“Maybe with one other person . . .” Mia paused. “Like Cole.”
“I loved what you did together on the Solstice Soiree runway.” Lyndon clapped her hands together. “A photo shoot would be smashing!”
Mia smiled.
“While I have you on the phone . . .” Lyndon’s mood sobered again. “Did you see what happened with Otto at last week’s party? Grace and I had already left, so we’re trying to get a handle on it.”
Mia pulled the pillow in tighter. “I didn’t.”
“Has he been harassing you?”
“No.”
“If anybody ever makes you uncomfortable or you see something that you think isn’t right, you know you can tell me.” Lyndon leaned into the screen.
Mia heard the blow dryer go on in the bathroom. “You’ll probably say that it’s not my business,” continued Mia.
“If you feel like it’s your business, it is,” said Lyndon. “And if it’s your business, it’s my business.”
Mia blurted the words. “I saw bruises on Ruby.”
“Ruby?” Lyndon looked confused.
“Ruby Taylor, the Wear National brand ambassador I know.”
“I would ask you how you saw these bruises except I know how that girl dresses,” remarked Lyndon. “She doesn’t leave much to the imagination.”
“It worries me,” said Mia. “She’s gone through rough stuff in her past. I think some abuse. I hope it isn’t happening here.”
“Has Grant gotten his paws on her?”
Mia paused. “No.”
“Although Ruby is not really my problem, I’ll hurt Grant if he’s an insufferable wanker to any woman or man on this island. He’s already been in one scrap that’s all over the Internet.” Lyndon huffed. “Or I’ll send Grace to hurt him, which is worse.” Lyndon gave a dry chuckle.
“I honestly think he’s more bark than bite,” said Mia.
“I hope you’re right,” said Lyndon. Mia felt her smartphone buzz once in her lap. She glanced down. It was a text from Sean:
They can’t just make a dress u designed. Using u.
“Grace e-mailed you the contract for your dress,” said Lyndon. “It’s very exciting.”
“It is.” Mia smiled at Lyndon, putting her phone screen-side down on the bed.
“Read it. Take your time,” replied Lyndon. “But not too much time. And thank you for the information about the Wear National girl. Everyone should feel safe there.” Lyndon leaned close. “Between you and me, the only way that will really happen is if Otto is voted off the island.”
Mia forced out a laugh, but the conversation made her squirm.
“Let us know what you think of the terms for your dress.” Lyndon waved and clicked off. The Skype session ended. Mia checked her e-mail and found one from Grace:
Mia—
This is the start of something huge! We’ll need all the appropriate documentation, including your driver’s license and social security number, but don’t fret about that now.
Cheers,
Grace
Mia’s brow knit as her eyes fell on the words “don’t fret.” She opened the PDF attachment—the contract. She skimmed it and got the gist. This deal was exposure versus pay. At least the dress would bear her name. She thought about what Lyndon said: “your dress.” But it wouldn’t be her dress anymore. Lyndon Wyld would own it. She closed the document, put her laptop to the side, and looked out the window.
Presley exited the bathroom in her nightie. Her hair was coiffed and her makeup done. Her eyes went to the closed laptop and she sighed. She pulled down the comforter on her bed and slid inside the sheets, then picked up her pink satin sleep mask from the nightstand.
“Is your brother as smart as he is handsome? Because when you have looks and no brain, you’ve got . . . well . . .” She raised a shoulder. “Grant.”
Mia considered Sean’s text. “Yes, he’s smart. Why does it matter? He’s in Boston.” Mia lowered her voice. “I thought you were seeing Mac.”
“You thought wrong.” Presley’s eyes welled for
a beat, but she quickly covered them with her sleep mask, slid down in bed, and turned away. Mia stared at her, then pulled her laptop back on her lap and opened the contract.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Mia walked on the beach all morning, thinking about the paperwork for her dress. Stepping back onto the estate’s deck, she washed her sandy feet off with the hose in the white ceramic pot and stomped them on the LW welcome mat. She looked through the glass French doors and saw Jill and Cole talking next to a large box from the store.
“Great,” she muttered to herself, then entered.
“Lyndon wants you to post a virtual July Fourth greeting card on the brand’s Instagram,” explained Jill. “There’s swimwear inside.” She patted the top of the box, then looked at Mia.
“You can keep your pick.”
Vincent entered, surveying his camera bag for lenses. “I have plans!” He looked at the group and rubbed his hands together excitedly. “First, I’m going to shoot a seasonaires’ pyramid on the beach.”
“Have fun.” Jill looked at Cole. “See ya.” She left.
Cole looked at Mia. “We need scissors or a knife, something sharp.”
“Yup,” replied Mia. “We do.”
Grant bounded in, seeing the box. “Swag! I want to open it!” He ripped the box open with his bare hands to find bikinis and board shorts in red, white, and blue. “Sweet!”
Presley, Jade, and J.P. entered. Presley went directly to the box.
“Ooh, treats.” She sifted through it and pulled out a string bikini top.
J.P. was reading his iPad. “Did you read the news about the MTV series?”
“I don’t need to read the news. I am the news.” Jade sat on the couch and threw her long legs over the arm.
“Oh, wow,” scoffed Mia.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” explained Jade. “My dad is doing an MTV series with Otto Hahn.”
“What?” Presley held the bikini top up to her chest in the mirror over the mantel.
“It starts filming next summer,” said Vincent, snapping close-ups of all the hands sifting through the styles.
“Lyndon can’t be very happy about that,” said Mia.
“No one is going to watch that garbage if it includes Wear National,” said Presley. “That name brings down everyone in association with it.”