“If someone doesn’t tell me what’s going on right now, you’re all uninvited to my pool party,” she said.
“You don’t think your dad had something to do with you getting the part over Fiona?” asked Tina in a hurried breath.
Anna felt like she’d been slapped.
“That’s crazy,” she said.
“Is it? Doesn’t the theatre director play golf with your dad?” asked Natalie.
“Guys, stop it,” said Fiona.
“Are you insinuating that my dad paid Mr. Brown to give me the lead?” asked Anna.
“Your dad always says business is done on the course,” said Natalie.
“Enough, guys,” said Fiona.
“I don’t know Fi, this isn’t really fair. You’re obviously the best actor in town. How did she get the part?” asked Tina.
Tears stung Anna’s eyes.
“I thought you guys were my friends,” she said.
“We are, Anna. Sit down. They don’t know what they’re talking about, you were great,” said Fiona.
Anna shook her head.
“I’ll see you later,” she said, storming out of the pizza parlor.
At home her dad chuckled when she asked him if he’d had anything to do with her getting the lead.
“Is Fiona jealous?” he asked.
“It’s Natalie and Tina,” said Anna.
“The Tantrum Twins? Those two are useless. Don’t concern yourself with their opinions, they’re not going anywhere in life,” he said.
“Dad, they’re my friends,” said Anna.
“Which is why I can’t wait for you to make new friends at college,” he said.
“Dad, just tell me. Did you have anything to do with it?” she asked.
“Oh, Anna, why do you need to know all the details of everything I do? I may have talked to John, sure. So what? That’s how life works. It’s rarely about what you know, it’s who you know,” he said.
“They were right. I can’t believe it,” she said. She turned to walk out of the room.
“Honey, you wanted the part, you got the part. Don’t concern yourself with the nitty gritty details now. John isn’t going to change his mind, and you’re good enough to have the lead. He wouldn’t risk his play if you were terrible,” said her dad.
“I have to quit. I have to let Fiona have the lead,” said Anna.
“You will do no such thing. This is the kind of thing that gets you into a good school. Fiona has enough credentials to get her into anywhere she wants to go, but you need something that will make you stand out, separate you from the thousands of kids applying to the same schools as you,” he said.
“It’s not right,” she said.
“Nothing is always right. You take each situation as it comes. Was Fiona better than you? Maybe, but it’s only because her dad paid for acting lessons her entire life. She’s got dozens of plays and commercials under her belt, one school play won’t add anything to her resume she doesn’t always have. You, my dear, need this. Good grades and horseback riding aren’t enough to get you into Harvard,” he said.
“I don’t want to go to Harvard. It’s too cold,” she said.
“Well, wherever you decide to go. Don’t quit, Anna. They can’t prove it so keep denying it. Do this for yourself, for your future, for me,” he said.
She sighed.
“Okay,” she said.
He beamed.
“Good girl,” he said.
ANNA, PRESENT TIME
CHAPTER 14
Anna Carter packed up her camera equipment. The sky would be dark soon, and she didn’t want to leave anything behind. She scanned the grass around her; she didn’t seem to be forgetting anything. Her eyes took in the scenery around her one last time. The Riverside Golf Club was one of her favorite places to shoot a wedding. The green was more vibrant than any other golf course in the area, and lakes in the background made it even more romantic. When she had her own photography company…
When she had her own photography company. She started so many thoughts with that phrase. Yet what was she doing about it? She slung the camera over one shoulder, picked up the rest of her gear and started toward her car.
Her father had offered to provide her with the necessary financing to get her business started, but so far she had resisted. She had been pampered and spoiled her entire life, and at a certain point she had to become self-sufficient.
Thomas Carter was a retired golf pro and now a golf teacher. Widowed and dating a string of girls not much older than Anna, he liked to spend his money on his only daughter.
She carefully placed her equipment in the back of her Mercedes SUV, and laughed to herself. How independent was she when her daddy was still buying her cars?
She climbed into the driver seat and headed toward her apartment, the one that her father had rented for her in one of the nicest sections of West Palm. Maybe she would just let him help her get the company started. Then she could be on her own. She shook her head. No, she needed to do this by herself. And so she would wait.
It was only six-thirty, which meant Anna had time to drop off her equipment before she met her friends for margaritas. She had just pulled onto the main road when her phone rang.
Jocelyn.
Anna sighed and clicked the End button. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to talk to her best friend, but Jocelyn’s drama was consuming her. An unexpected pregnancy, a rushed marriage, a miscarriage, an affair; it was like the storyline of an episode of General Hospital. The fallout was big, and Anna wasn’t surprised it was taking its toll on Jocelyn. She wanted to be supportive, but it was getting harder. There wasn’t anything she could say or do that made Jocelyn feel better. In fact, Jocelyn seemed to be getting worse with each passing day spent in Massachusetts.
She put the phone back in her bag. She’d call Jocelyn later.
An hour later Anna was at the bar, having drinks with Fiona, Tina and Marguerite. Fiona was in town with the production she was touring with, and Tina and Marguerite had gone to college with Anna and Jocelyn. Until recently all four of them had lived near their campus, and each other, meaning these Thursday nights at Cactus Sally’s were a regular thing. Of course now that Jocelyn was gone, and when Fiona wasn’t in town, it would just be the three of them. Anna looked at Tina and Marguerite; without Natalie, Tina definitely threw less tantrums, but the label Stupid Twins might suit this duo. Both had barely graduated college, and not because they didn’t try. Anna preferred to limit her interactions with the two of them, but Jocelyn had ruled over them like a benevolent leader, and without her here, they often seemed at a loss.
Fiona, of course, was still Fiona; regal, brilliant and talented. She’d quickly forgiven Anna the high school play transgression, and the two of them had remained close even while attending college across the country from each other. If Anna hadn’t roomed with Jocelyn her freshman year of college, Fiona might still be her best friend.
Anna was happy for the margarita that Fiona had waiting for her when she sat down. Cactus Sally’s was one of Anna’s favorite places to burn off steam, and she really needed to unwind after this week. She was getting tired of photographing babies and newly engaged couples. It wasn’t that she didn’t like them, but the work was getting repetitive and lacked any room for creativity.
“How’s Jocelyn doing in Boston?” asked Fiona.
“She’s adjusting. I think it will take some time,” said Anna.
“I could adjust quickly if Will was my husband,” said Marguerite. Figures, thought Anna. Marguerite always wanted what Jocelyn had.
“No kidding. It’s so unlike Jocelyn to just elope like that. Do you think she’s knocked up? Anna, did you know she was getting married?” asked Tina.
“Nope,” lied Anna.
“OMG, wouldn’t that be something?” said Marguerite.
“Anna, do not turn around. Nobody turn around. Holy-” started Fiona, and of course everyone turned around.
Standing there, in the door
way like some bad country song, was Anna’s ex, Jonathan. Of course he wasn’t alone; Jenny was with him. Jenny, Anna’s sorority sister, who had stolen Jonathan from Anna. Jonathan had started dating Jenny just weeks after telling Anna that he wanted to be single for the rest of his senior year. It had been devastating news for Anna, who had quickly figured out where Jonathan had been all those nights he said he was studying for midterms, and she’d raged at both him and Jenny for days until Jocelyn had finally calmed her down. She never forgave either of them, and was pleased when the rest of their sorority sisters had suggested Jenny move out of the house.
It didn’t appear to have any effect on their relationship though. There they stood, surveying the bar for their friends, Jonathan’s arm around tiny Jenny. Anna had never fit under his muscular arm like that. She’d always come close to being taller than him in heels, something that had bothered him. Anna thought it was a silly thing to be upset about, but clearly Jonathan had his preferences.
“He looks like he’s been working out,” said Tina.
“Shut up, Marguerite,” said Fiona.
It was true though. He’d always been in shape, but now he was practically bulging out of
his tee shirt. Jenny was wearing an obscenely tight white dress which Anna was sure was working hard to keep everything covered.
“I think he looks ridiculous. And what’s with that band aid Jenny’s wearing as a dress?”
asked Fiona.
“That’s why we’re friends,” said Anna with a weak smile.
“She sees us. Oh no, here they come,” said Marguerite.
Anna didn’t turn around. If she did, she’d have to do it with a drink in hand, and a flourish as she threw said drink in their faces.
“Girls! Hi! I’m so glad you guys are here.” Jenny’s voice was grating, although to be fair, it always had been.
“Hi!” said Marguerite, and Tina followed, although a little less enthusiastically. Fiona gave a small smile which was obviously insincere, and Anna appreciated that.
“Hi. Hi Anna,” said Jonathan. Anna still didn’t turn around.
“What are you ladies doing here?” asked Jenny.
“We’re here every Thursday. You know that,” said Fiona.
“I kind of thought you guys had outgrown this place,” said Jenny.
Anna turned and stared Jenny in the eye. Jonathan was standing uncomfortably next to her, but she ignored him.
“Of course you did,” she said.
“Well, we are here celebrating,” said Jenny, and Anna’s stomach dropped. She knew, just knew before Jenny even said it, what they were celebrating.
“Really? What?” asked Tina.
“Who cares?” said Fiona.
“We’re engaged!” said Jenny. Her eyes sparkled almost as much as the ring she displayed proudly on a perfectly manicured hand.
“It’s beautiful!” said Marguerite, reaching across the table to take Jenny’s hand and examine the ring. Tina chimed in and Fiona and Anna sat quietly. Anna looked at Jonathan, who was staring at the floor. He raised his head and met her eyes, and she could have been imagining it, but she thought he looked kind of sad.
“How did he do it?” asked Tina.
“It was the sweetest thing ever. He took me back to the first place we kissed – you know, the dock overlooking the lake where we had our winter formal?” Jenny smiled at Anna. Anna and Jonathan had still been together then, and had gone to that dance together. “And he got down on one knee and he took my hand and said he couldn’t imagine living without me and he would be the happiest man in the world if I would marry him.”
“You know what they say about a man who overcompensates with a big ring,” winked Fiona.
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that,” said Jenny.
“I did say it,” said Fiona.
“Because you’re still single and alone,” said Jenny.
“Isn’t that redundant?” asked Fiona. Jenny made a face.
“Come on, let’s go order champagne,” Jenny said to Jonathan, leading him away by the arm.
“Jonathan didn’t say one word,” said Tina.
“Because he knows he’s making a huge mistake,’ said Fiona.
“I bet he regrets it,” said Tina.
“People who don’t want to marry someone don’t usually propose,” said Marguerite, then looked at Anna. “Sorry.”
“Who comes to Cactus Sally’s to celebrate their engagement? Obviously she’s just trying to show off. Don’t let her get to you,” said Fiona.
“I’ll try not to,” said Anna, but as she fought back tears, she knew it would be very hard to not be bothered by Jonathan’s engagement.
CHAPTER 15
Even though it was Saturday, Anna had to go to work. Photographers don’t have weekends, she’d lamented dozens of times to her friends. This particular Saturday would be insanely busy, with consultations back to back throughout the day. She was thankful she didn’t have a wedding to shoot; those were the most stressful days. Either way, she was already looking forward to having Monday off. The schedule at the studio she worked at was inflexible, and her boss was a tyrant. She dreamed of one day going out on her own.
The owner of the studio, Frederick, was in the office already, which didn’t surprise Anna. Sometimes she thought he lived there.
“Good morning, Frederick,” she said.
“Why hello darling,” he said. He stood in the window of the studio, rearranging the display and adding new photos. He was an eccentric man with spiky bleached-blonde hair and thick black glasses. Today he was wearing a collared shirt with a loosely tied tie, and a pair of tight black jeans. On the days he shot weddings he decked himself out in a tuxedo with a bedazzled cummerbund. Anna had suggested numerous times that he not outshine the bride, but he always laughed her off.
Anna set her oversized leather bag on her desk and was just about to sit down when Frederick interrupted her.
“Anna, I’m going to need you to take over a consult for me today,” he said.
Inwardly she groaned. How would she fit one more consult into her already packed schedule? She knew she had no choice though.
“Sure, what’s going on?”
“Mark has the flu and called to see if I could cover a wedding for him today. I need to be there at 10 to start photographing the bride getting ready.”
Anna glanced at a clock. It was a little after nine.
“Okay. When are they coming in?”
“9:30. Is that okay?”
“No problem,” she said.
“Great. Thanks. Their information is right there on my desk. It’s the Paxton-Li file.”
Anna froze.
“Paxton?”
“Yes. Right there.” He pointed to a red folder on his desk.
Anna got up and picked up the file. She opened it and saw the couple’s full names. Jonathan Paxton and Jenny Li. What were the chances they didn’t know this was where she worked? They were unbelievable.
“I’m sorry Frederick, I can’t do this one,” she said.
“What do you mean? You just said you could,” he said.
“Jonathan is my ex-boyfriend. Can you call and have them reschedule with you?” she asked.
Frederick, who had been hunched over, stood tall in the window.
“Anna, that is completely unprofessional. I need you to go over packages with them, show them their options, and possibly even photograph their wedding. I can’t reschedule someone every time you’ve had a history with the groom.”
Anna shook her head at the unfairness of that, as though she’d ever had a history with a client before.
“Frederick, please. Jonathan and I were in a serious relationship for a long time and he left me for Jenny,” she said.
“I don’t care. You will do the consultation today, and if need be, you will photograph their wedding. And you will be professional the entire time. I don’t want the bride believing that you would sabotage her wedding photos because
of an old grudge.”
“I can’t make any promises,” she muttered.
“Do you understand me?” he asked. He glared at her.
“Yes, I understand.” She set the file back down. “I’m going to get a coffee before they get here.”
“I’d like a tall decaf, just sugar,” said Frederick, returning to the window.
Anna walked up the street to Java House, shaking. How was she going to sit through a consultation with Jonathan and Jenny? It was impossible to believe she would be able to maintain composure and make the appropriate comments about how she would be able to capture the magic of their wedding day. Anna bet Jenny had no intention of actually using her company, she probably just wanted to rub it in Anna’s face that she was marrying Jonathan. Well, Anna was done letting other people run the show.
She took out her cell phone and called her father.
“Hello peaches!” said Mr. Carter.
Anna smiled at the joyful sound of her father’s voice.
“Hi Daddy. Are you busy?”
“Nope. Just about to do a little golfing,” he said.
“Nice day for it.”
“You know it. What can I do for you? Do you need some money?” he asked.
For a split second she considered telling him she’d just called to say hi and going back to work. She was so dependent on her father.
“Actually, I do,” she said.
“Okay. How much?”
“Oh, about fifty-thousand dollars,” she said.
She heard her father’s laughter on the other end of the phone.
“Didn’t I just buy you a new car?” he asked.
“Yes, you did. It’s not for that. I’m ready to start my own business,” she said.
“Excellent! My little entrepreneur. I’m so proud of you. I’ll give you whatever you need. Pick out your place, get your equipment – charge whatever you need, and let me know when you need cash,” he said.
“Thanks Dad,” she said. He always came through.
“No problem sweetheart. Let’s get together for lunch this week and map out your business plan,” he said.
“All right. Have fun golfing,” she said.
“You know it,” he said again.
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