He laughs. “That just shows how out of touch the poor woman is.”
“I guess.” I smile at him. I’m not sure if it’s just me or his tan or the fact that his hair is longer than usual, but it seems like Blake gets more handsome each day. I’m about to mention this when our mochas are ready and Blake goes to get them.
As he’s walking back, I decide that if he is about to ask me to be in an exclusive relationship with him, I will definitely, absolutely, say yes!
“Here you go, my lady.” He sets my drink in front of me and sits down.
I take a sip. “Mmm … delish. Thanks!”
“And I’ll bet you’re wondering why I asked you here tonight.”
“Yeah.” I give him a hopeful smile and wait.
“Well, Ben called me this afternoon.”
I blink. “Ben? Benjamin Kross?”
He smiles. “Yeah. Who else?”
I shrug and try not to show my disappointment, which is twofold. One part is that I suspect this conversation is not going to be about our relationship after all, and another part is that I really wish Blake and Ben would part ways. It was sweet that Blake befriended Ben at first—back when Paige and Ben were dating, and when Ben needed a friend after Mia Renwick, Ben’s reality show co-star, died. But when I saw him in France, it seemed that Ben was intent on returning to his selfish, shallow ways, and I can’t imagine how Blake has any positive influence on him.
“Anyway …” Blake smiles broadly. “Ben’s in on the ground floor of a new reality show.”
“A new reality show … just what this world needs,” I say in a cynical tone that I instantly regret.
His smile fades. “So, it’s okay for you and Paige to have a reality show, but no one else?”
“Sorry. That was just my exhaustion showing.” I force a smile.
“Okay.” He nods. “So anyway, Ben and his producer have been pitching this new show and it sounds like this one network is really interested, and—guess what?”
“I have no idea.”
“Ben’s invited me to be part of it.” Blake is beaming now. “Can you believe that?”
I’m trying to wrap my head around all this. Ben wants Blake to be part of his reality show? “Seriously?”
“Yeah. It would be so cool, Erin. For starters, I could quit working for my uncle—talk about slave labor. Do you know how miserable it is to do yard work in this heat? Plus, I’ll be able to make enough money to go to film school. I mean, later on, after the TV show ends.”
I nod. I know how unhappy Blake’s been with his dad’s pressure to get a “real” degree. And how disappointing his first year of college was. Going to film school was Blake’s dream even before it became mine. It seems that both our dreams got put on hold last year.
“Wow.” I try to make a genuine-looking smile. “That’s cool, Blake. Tell me about the show.” It takes all my self-control not to rain on this parade, or jump to negative conclusions, or to point out that party-boy Benjamin Kross’s show will probably end up a train wreck.
“It’s called Celebrity Blind Date.”
“Celebrity Blind Date?”
“Yeah. There’ll be an ongoing cast of guys and girls who are semi-known, you know, kinda celebrities—like B-listers.” He chuckles. “Actually they’re more like C-or D-listers. And with the aid of a computer dating service, which will be one of the show’s sponsors, they’ll go on blind dates.”
“Real blind dates?”
“Well, as real as anything can be in reality TV. Naturally, the cameras will be around, but Ben wants them to be sort of incognito. And at the beginning and ending of each episode the daters—”
“The daters?”
“You know, the regular cast—the pseudocelebs. Anyway, they’ll gather somewhere, like a restaurant or club, and they’ll discuss the dates—like what went wrong or right or whatever.”
“It actually sounds like an interesting premise.”
“It is!” His face lights up.
“And so did you tell Ben you would do this—for sure?” I’m hoping there’s still a chance for Blake to escape the crazy world of reality TV.
“I told him I wanted to think about it.”
“And what do you think?” It’s a silly question, because I can tell by his expression that he’s already on board.
“It’s a huge opportunity, Erin. I think I want a piece of the action.” He gets a thoughtful look. “But I’m curious … what do you think about it?”
“Really?”
“Sure, you’re my best friend, Erin. I want your opinion.”
“Well …” I pause to consider my words. I don’t want to ruin this for him. “You know how a reality show can mess with your life, Blake. You’ve seen the kinds of trials Paige and I have gone through. And that being in the spotlight comes with a price.”
“I know.” He nods. “I’ve had a front row seat, Erin. I’m well aware of the downside of the business. I’d be going in with my eyes wide open.”
“Well, at least as wide open as possible,” I caution. “But you never know what’s around the next corner, Blake. I mean, even this thing with Paige and Dylan—it’s really a by-product of our show.”
“Are you saying Paige wouldn’t have gotten her heart broken if you guys weren’t doing the show?” He studies me closely.
“Hmm … good point.”
“Life is life, Erin. Whether it’s on film or on the streets, it happens. And this blind date show—well, I’ll admit it’s not going to save the planet, but I still think it’ll be good fun. And it will look great on my résumé for film school.”
“That’s what I keep hearing.”
“So anyway. I think I’ll call Ben and tell him to count me in.”
“What will your dad say about this?”
Blake frowns. “Oh, you know, he’ll give me his free lecture about the real world and how I need a real job—but I’m sure he’ll back off once he sees my mind is set.”
Seeing his mind is set, I decide not to point out any more potential pitfalls to his plan. “So when do you think it’ll go into production?”
“Assuming the network gives him the thumbs-up, Ben said he wants to get it rolling as soon as possible. He’s worried that someone else might try to snatch his idea.”
“I’m curious, Blake. How do you see your faith playing into the whole thing?”
“My faith is part of who I am, Erin. And Ben actually appreciates that too. He said he wants me to be up front with it. It’ll provide some interesting contrast within the show.”
“Like you’ll be the angelic boy amidst all the little devils?”
He chuckles. “Maybe not quite like that. But Ben wants to have a diverse cast.”
“Meaning it won’t just be a bunch of the old Malibu Beach kids—the ones who’ve outgrown that show?”
“He’ll probably use a few of them. But he’ll hire some new faces too.”
Suddenly I feel very tired. “You know, it’s been a long day,” I tell him. “I should probably get going. And I need to check on Paige. She’s still pretty fragile.”
“When is she going public with the breakup?” Blake asks as he walks me to my Jeep.
“I’m not sure.” I glance at him. “You didn’t tell Ben, did you?”
“No. I promised you I wouldn’t. You can trust me.”
“Good.” I sigh as I unlock my vehicle. “To be honest, I’m not totally sure they are breaking up.”
“Are you kidding? After what Dylan pulled?”
I shake my finger under his nose. “Remember … innocent until proven guilty.”
“Right.” He leans down and kisses me on the cheek. “Be safe.”
As I drive home, I’m mulling over two things. First and foremost is Blake’s big news. And while I know this is a good career break for him and I should be happy, an unsettling cloak of worry wraps itself around me. What if this “opportunity” derails Blake? What if it unravels him the way I’ve seen it unravel so many ot
hers? The other thought nagging me right now is that brotherly peck Blake gave me as a goodnight kiss. What did that mean anyway? That his interest toward me has suddenly cooled now that he’s got a hot new project to leap into? And, if that’s the case, how does that make me feel?
On my way up the stairs to the condo, I remember my hopeful expectation as I drove to Starbucks. I was actually getting ready to tell Blake, “Yes! I want to be in an exclusive relationship with you!” Now, instead of taking that next step, I’m trying to accept that my would-be boyfriend might be participating in a reality show about dating—dating other girls!
ZONDERVAN
Glamour
Copyright © 2011 by Melody Carlson
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Carlson, Melody.
Glamour / Melody Carlson.
p. cm. – (On the runway ; bk. 5)
ISBN 978-0-310-71790-4 (softcover)
[1. Reality television programs – Fiction. 2. Television – Production and direction – Fiction. 3. Fashion – Fiction. 4. Sisters – Fiction. 5. Interpersonal relations – Fiction. 6. Christian life–Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.C216637Glc 2011
[Fic] – dc22
2010037263
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