“Cass, I’m worried about you. What’s the matter?”
She turns her head toward me. “You don’t need to be worried about me. But I do have to tell you something. Just promise you won’t tell anyone yet, it’s still early.”
I sit up straight.
“What?”
She smiles. “You’re going to be an aunt.”
My mouth drops open. Cassie has mentioned having a baby for a while but not recently. I suppose that would explain her many trips to the bathroom today. It would also explain her unusually short temper lately.
“What?” I exclaim excitedly. I run over to hug her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She explains about wanting to surprise everyone when she was farther along and how it’s actually taken quite a bit of time for them to get pregnant. I’m so happy for her. And I’m happy for Georgie. Wow, talk about huge life changes. I’ve been so consumed with taking a new job while my best friend is getting married and my sister is having a baby. Maybe I should’ve paid a little more attention to them. After Cassie goes to bed, I call Zack.
“Hey, baby,” he says, his voice cracking.
It sounds like I woke him up. I didn’t realize how late it was.
“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”
“It’s okay. I just fell asleep on the sofa. The restaurant was slammed tonight.”
I offer to hang up so he can go back to sleep, but he insists that I stay on. I crawl into my bed and cradle the phone in my neck.
He clears his throat. “How was the shower?”
I give him all the details about the shower, and he laughs when I tell him about the wall hanging. And then I tell him about Cassie’s big news.
“That’s exciting.”
“Yeah, it is.” I hesitate.
I don’t mean to hesitate, because I’m beyond excited for her. I’m just feeling . . . selfish.
“I feel bad,” I tell him. “My two best friends are going through major life changes and I’ve been freaking out over taking a new job.”
Zack listens, and then assures me I had every right to be concerned.
“Change can be scary, no matter what it is. It’s the fear of the unknown that keeps people from taking risks.”
“That’s right, you’re the risk taker,” I say sarcastically.
He laughs. “I try to keep life interesting if that’s what you mean. It’s good a thing.”
I yawn. “Thanks for talking to me tonight.”
Once again, he’s able to make me feel much better.
“Well, I wish I was there in person but this will have to do for now. I can’t wait to see you next week.”
I stretch my arms above my head.
“I know the feeling.”
We’re just a few days away from the launch party, and then LivElle will officially be in business. The next chapter in my life will be starting and my friends and family will be meeting Zack. It’s overwhelming and exciting all at the same time. I can’t wait.
Chapter 28
I sit down at the gorgeous white baby grand piano and play a few keys. I look around as the event staff is getting everything ready for the party. Liv (and Giselle) have rented out Cipriani for the evening and the venue couldn’t be more perfect. I watch Miranda as she paces back and forth, yelling on her phone. She’s been doing this most of the morning.
“This is certainly different than Do-Re-Mi,” Ash says, appearing next to me.
I give her a faint smile “Yes, it is.”
She sits down on the piano bench next to me, and I slide over as much as possible without making it obvious. I try not to look surprised, but I’m sure she can read my expression. She plays a few keys.
“Maris, I’ve been thinking . . . maybe we should try to start fresh. Since it looks like we’re going to be working together for the foreseeable future.”
I start to play a few keys along with her as I listen.
“You’re just so damn good.”
I stop playing and look at her.
“Ash, you are too,” I exclaim. “Look around, you’re sitting here with me. We’ve both gotten to this same point.”
She shrugs. “It’s not the same.”
I sigh. “No, it’s not exactly the same. We’re different people and we have different strengths.”
We both begin to play again.
“I’m definitely willing to move forward,” I say. “It would certainly make things easier, and considering we’ll be traveling together . . .”
“Stop right there,” Liv yells from across the room.
She begins sprinting toward us. Holy crap, what’s wrong with her?
“This is glorious,” she exclaims. Both Ash and I freeze. “You two. Together. A duet. You have to perform something together tonight.”
What?
Ash and I look at each other.
“But we haven’t prepared anything,” Ash wails.
“You were just playing a song,” Liv says, pointing at the piano.
“We were just playing around,” I interject.
Liv folds her arms. I guess Ash and I shouldn’t argue with her. What’s happening right now? Ash and I are barely beginning to try to tolerate one another and now we’ve been asked to perform at duet—tonight—in a few hours.
“I’m not worried about it one bit,” she says excitedly. “You ladies are fabulous, and I know you will come up with something perfect.”
Before either of us has a chance to argue, she runs, or rather dances, away. We sit silently on the piano bench.
“So, a duet?” Ash mumbles.
“Yep.”
The corner of her mouth curls up into a smile.
“So this is what I get for trying to be nice.”
I giggle. “Yeah, way to go.”
I play a few more keys. “I guess we better get to work.”
~*~*~
Since I’ve lived in New York, I haven’t had much time (or money) to shop. And like most women, I love to shop and who doesn’t love to shop in New York. Upon signing my contract with LivElle, I received a generous signing bonus, and I immediately went to Bloomingdale’s to find a dress for the party. And I’m obsessed with the dress I found. I would wear it every day if I could. Although, I may look a little silly walking through Whole Foods in a black-and-white strapless gown. Of course, I completely splurged on the shoes (Jimmy Choos), and I’m even having my hair and makeup professionally done. I’m feeling like a new woman.
When I get back to my apartment after my hair and makeup appointment, I’m expecting Zack to be waiting for me, but he’s not. My phone has been in my bag all day, and when I look at it, I see I have five missed calls from him. My heart sinks as soon as I listen to his message. Apparently, there’s been a crisis at the restaurant and he will be late tonight. At least he’s still coming . . . hopefully.
“There you are,” he shouts, sounding completely out of breath. “I’ve been trying to reach you all day.”
I explain about Liv requesting that Ash and I perform together and our impromptu rehearsal.
“I’m so sorry,” he apologizes. “Everything has been blowing up here and I mean that literally. One of our grills blew up this morning.”
That doesn’t sound good, and of course it’s his place so he has to take care of it.
“Oh no. I totally understand if you need to stay and take care of that.”
I force back the tears because I was really excited about him being there with me tonight and meeting my family and friends.
“No, no. I’m still coming. I’ll just be late.”
I glance at the clock; the party starts in a few hours.
“Well, I do understand if you can’t make it. Your restaurant is blowing up.”
He chuckles. “We’re getting things under control. I don’t want to miss your big night. Save me a seat, okay?”
“Okay.”
When I hang up, I take a few deep breaths. I can’t start crying because that will ruin my makeup and there�
��s no way in hell I’ll be able to fix it.
I call Georgie to give her the update on my last-minute duet with Ash and on Zack’s delay.
“Oh no. Why don’t you come to the hotel and ride with Dr. Scott and me?”
I smile to myself.
“I appreciate that, but I need to be there a few minutes early anyway.”
I’m trying to sit as still as I can so I don’t mess up my hair.
“So, let me get this straight,” she pauses, “this guy’s restaurant is blowing up and he’s still coming all this way to see you tonight.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m impressed. He already has my approval.”
I giggle. That’s good to know. And I’m over here almost in tears because he’s not going to be there to escort me through the door.
“I told him I understood if he couldn’t make it but he still insisted.”
“He must really like you.”
A big cheesy grin spreads across my face.
“I guess so.”
After Georgie’s pep talk, I gather up my sheet music and pack a bag with extra makeup, shoes, and a toothbrush. I even bring an extra pair of heels just in case something happens to my precious Jimmy Choos. While getting everything together, I notice Beatrice’s letter peeking out of my drawer. I grab it and sit down on the edge of the bed. As I reread her letter, I can’t help but think about Trevor. Of course, I haven’t heard a word from him since the day we read these, not that I was expecting to. I’ve come very close to texting him a few times since our fight, just to check up on him, but I’ve held back. I don’t want to be the one to continue to complicate things even more than they are. I keep reminding myself that just because we wanted something to end up a certain way doesn’t mean it’s going to. I just hope that Trevor is able to find what he’s searching for and finally be happy.
Liv has a car pick me up, which is good considering I’m bringing my gown in a garment bag. I decide to wait to change when I get there just in case I have to do anything. When I walk into Cipriani, I gasp. I’m shocked at how much it’s changed just since this morning. The tables are set with gorgeous red floral centerpieces and candles. There are about a hundred different pieces of china and glassware at each seat. Of course, I’m still not sure which fork to use and when. I make my way to the dressing room that Liv has had set up for us. Ash is already in there, touching up her makeup and humming to herself.
“Hey.”
She turns around to look at me. I’m assuming she’s trying to get a glimpse at my gown.
“The room looks fantastic,” I say, hanging my garment bag on the coatrack.
“I know. They sure outdid themselves, which isn’t surprising. Liv and Giselle have impeccable taste.”
I nod. At least Liv does, but I don’t say that out loud.
I check my phone to see if Zack sent me an update. Unfortunately, there’s nothing yet.
“Maris, are you okay? You seem a little distracted?”
“What?” I say absently.
“Are you okay?” she repeats. “You know if you get stage fright I’m fine to perform in your place.”
I roll my eyes. “Nice try. You’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.”
We both laugh.
“There are my stars,” Liv announces.
Wow. Liv looks amazing. She’s wearing a floor-length red lace gown that even has a train. Her long blonde hair is curled and wildly falling down her back.
“You look beautiful.”
“Yes, you do,” Ash agrees.
Her face turns as red as her gown. “Thank you. I suppose I clean up pretty good? We’re just waiting on Giselle and Miranda so we can have a short powwow to go over the schedule for the evening.”
In the meantime, Ash changes into her gown, which looks like something you would find in a John Hughes ’80s classic film. I wish I could have taken a picture of Liv’s face when she sees her but I wasn’t quick enough. It’s really not bad; I just don’t think it was what Liv was expecting. I know Ash well enough to know that she chose a dress that would make her stand out. And her ’80s pink dress is sure to do the trick.
Miranda is the next to arrive, and she’s staying true to her New York City girl persona. She’s wearing a long black gown, simple and elegant. Her hair is pulled back into a high, slick ponytail, and her makeup is exotic and sexy.
I’ve changed into my black-and-white strapless gown and feel like I fit in perfectly. Of course, I’m waiting on the edge of my seat for Giselle to arrive. She’s notorious for wearing outrageous and somewhat inappropriate outfits. I will never forget the dress she wore to Beatrice’s ninetieth birthday celebration. It was a short, tight gold dress that barely covered the areas that should be covered. If she had been walking down the street, I have no doubt she could have been arrested for indecent exposure.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
We all look toward the door and I gasp, and not because she’s wearing something you would see in Hustler magazine. She actually looks gorgeous.
She’s wearing a white, off-the-shoulder flowing gown. Her blonde hair is bone straight, and she actually looks like a Grecian goddess. Liv must have had a conversation with her about her wardrobe choice because she looks very pleased.
Liv looks around our small circle and tears well up in her eyes.
“You all look so wonderful,” she says, fighting back the tears. Miranda hands her a tissue and she dabs the corner of her eyes. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you have embarked on this journey with me,” she says, sniffling.
Giselle pats her on the shoulder.
“As you all know, I’ve always had a passion for the arts. Unfortunately, in so many situations music is not available to many with natural talents. LivElle is going to reach out and make music come alive in places where it’s faded. So, thank you for sharing your talents and your lives with me in order to make this happen.”
I listen intently. The first night I met Liv was at a charity event benefitting music and the arts. I admired her that night for her passion and now I admire her even more. I was sad when I left Do-Re-Mi and again now that I’m leaving Selena and Company, because I’m leaving wonderful students. It finally occurs to me that by being part of LivElle I will be able to reach even more individuals to help cultivate their love of music in addition to my own. Maybe this is what I’ve been meant to do all along.
Chapter 29
Liv explains the schedule of events and my new song is near the end of the evening. This is good and bad. It’s good because Zack will hopefully be here by then, and bad because I have to wait all evening to perform. The first hour of the evening is a cocktail meet and greet, so basically a time to schmooze a bunch of people I’ll never remember. My parents and Cassie and Mark are some of the first to arrive, and I’m so grateful for this except for my mother’s choice of outfit. I look at Cassie who shakes her head.
“Sorry,” she whispers.
I thought it was bad when she wanted to go to Beatrice’s funeral in stripper heals and a short tight dress, but tonight she’s outdone herself. I wonder if she’s been playing in Giselle’s closet?
She’s wearing a red formfitting (more like painted on) gown with a plunging neckline, and when I say plunging, I’m talking down to her bellybutton. The back is completely cut out all the way to just above her backside.
“Hi, Daddy,” I say, giving my father a kiss on the cheek. He looks very dapper in his suit and bowtie. He holds me in a tight hug for what feels like several minutes.
I look my mom up and down. “Mom . . .”
“Oh, honey, we’re so proud of you,” she gushes, kissing me on both of my cheeks. No doubt I have bright red lipstick on my face now. “This is all so fancy. And did you hear the news? I’m going to be a grandma.”
Cassie shushes her and shakes her head in frustration. What is this I’m seeing? The cool and calm yogi Cassie appears to be irritated with our mother. Or maybe she’s still not feelin
g well. I’m not sure how long morning sickness is supposed to last, but from what I’ve heard you don’t just get it in the morning.
“Mom, your dress is . . .”
She twirls around proudly. “Isn’t it breathtaking? I knew I needed something fancy for this big-time New York City party. I wanted to make you proud.”
It certainly does take my breath away, or maybe that’s the perfume she bathed in. And I’m not sure who did her makeup, but I think she fell into a bowl of Mary Kay.
See You Later Broadway (Broadway Series Book 2) Page 18