“I bet that’s somebody calling me back to the set.” Just as she picked up her cell, Ryan’s went off.
“Yeah, me too.”
The pair checked their phones then looked at one another and laughed.
“We must both be psychic,” Ryan joked before his expression grew serious. “Are you okay going back to the studio now, or do you wanna talk a little bit longer?”
“No, I’m fine. I don’t want to hold you up. I’ll get everything figured out.”
Devon stood up, and Ryan followed her toward the door.
“Well, just know that I’m here for you,” he said. “If you need to talk, vent, cry…whatever the case may be, you can come to me.”
“Thanks, Ryan. I really appreciate that.”
He gave her a quick embrace, and as they chatted on the way back to work, Devon realized that she felt completely comforted. And when they approached the studio door, the excitement of being back on set eclipsed the anger that had overcome her moments ago.
*
“Girl, Lisa and Jason are two of the thirstiest goofies I’ve ever seen,” Gabby said.
She and Devon were sitting at the kitchen table, eating their Fresh To Your Doorstep tofu stir-fry bowls and recapping their day.
“They’re only doing all that ratchet mess to try and get your attention.”
“But why?” Devon asked. “What did I do to either of them to warrant all this hate? I mean, they were literally my best friends. Then I moved out here and all hell broke loose.”
“Key words. You moved out here. You’re onward and upward, and they’re stagnant and jealous. But that’s okay. I can’t wait to see their faces when you show up at that charity gala and stunt on both of them.”
“I don’t know, Gab. I still haven’t decided whether I’m going. To be honest, I’m leaning more toward not going.”
“Are you serious? But you have to go! What about Ryan and Vince’s contribution? The least you could do is show your support for them. They don’t have anything to do with our alma mater. They’re doing this for us.”
“What are you talking about? What are Ryan and Vince contributing?”
“Wait, you haven’t talked to Ryan?”
“Not since we left the café this afternoon.”
“So you don’t even know! Ryan and Vince are planning to—”
Gabby was interrupted by the loud pinging of Devon’s cell phone, which was tucked away inside her tote.
Devon jumped up and ran over to the couch, grabbing it out of her bag. When she entered her security code, four missed calls, three voicemails and two text message notifications popped up on the screen. They were all from Ryan.
“I cannot believe I missed all this!” she exclaimed, first opening a text message.
Hey! I’ve been trying to call you. Great news. I talked to Gabby about your high school’s fundraiser, and Vince and I are gonna contribute. I’ll do a meet and greet/photo op with guests, and Vince will donate personalized nutrition and fitness consultations. Let me know what you think!
Devon almost dropped the phone.
“Aren’t those guys amazing?” Gabby asked, a huge grin spread across her face.
“Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe it.” Devon glided back into the kitchen and sat down. “Gab, this is unbelievable. I mean, it’s just too much. What did I do to deserve this?”
“You are so bad at giving yourself credit for being a great person.” Gabby reached over and squeezed her arm. “You deserve every good thing this world has to offer. And I know you’re going through a tough time right now. But that’s because the universe is removing the old and making room for the new. So don’t question it. Just embrace it.”
Devon sighed happily. “You’re right. And I will. Thank you for that. I just can’t believe those guys are doing all this for us.”
“Well, believe it. I love it. And what I can’t wait to see is the looks on all those cows’ faces when they see us with Vince and Ryan. Ooh, it’s gonna be so gloriously lit!” Gabby sang out. “And you making an appearance with a bona fide celebrity is gonna be such sweet poetic justice.”
“I think you’re losing sight of the whole purpose here. What’s great is that we’ll probably raise a ton of money with Vince and Ryan’s contribution. Why aren’t you focusing on that aspect of all this?”
“Because I’m petty. And messy. And shallow,” Gabby replied defiantly before both she and Devon broke out into laughter.
“Yeah, well, I guess I have a bit of that in me too,” Devon said while dialing Ryan’s number. “I’m calling Ryan back to thank him.”
The phone rang several times before going to voicemail. Devon left a message thanking him profusely. The second she disconnected the call, a text popped up from him.
Hey, you! So you heard the news. Looking forward to doing what I can to help. I’m out with the cast grabbing dinner. Can I give you a call when I get home?
Devon hit the reply button. Yes, I heard the news and cannot thank you enough! I’ll be up late, so you can call me after dinner.
“If only you could see that smile on your face,” Gabby told her. “You can say what you want, but it’s clear to both me and Vince that you and Ryan are totally into each other. Who knows? Maybe this trip to Berman will finally bring you two together.”
“I’m ignoring you,” Devon said. But she couldn’t deny the elation that she felt at the thought of going back to Berman with a handsome, popular actor in tow.
As Gabby bit into a piece of bok choy, Devon looked over at her with a spark of mischief running through her veins. “You know what? You’re right. Berman ain’t ready for us.”
“Yesss. There’s my girl!”
Devon’s mind drifted back to the moment she saw the photo of Lisa sitting on Jason’s lap and how sick it’d made her feel. She quickly pushed the thought out of her head and turned to Gabby.
“You know what? We should go shopping for dresses. I really wanna look great at this event.”
“Excellent idea. Let’s start looking tomorrow after work. I say we hit Melrose first, then Robertson if we don’t find anything there.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Devon poured another round of white wine spritzers and held her glass in the air.
“Let’s make a toast. To raising enough money to keep Berman High open, and raising hell in the process after we walk in there on our Hollywood drip.”
“We came to drip. Drip, drip!” Gabby sang out, bouncing her shoulders while clinking her glass against Devon’s.
After sipping their drinks, the two friends grabbed their phones and began making travel arrangements for the gala weekend.
Chapter Fifteen
“I know, Mom, I know,” Devon whined, rolling her eyes while trying to ignore the scent of her mother’s freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. “I don’t need all the salacious details. I’ve already seen enough of those two splashed all over social media.”
Devon was sitting at her parents’ kitchen table, debating with her mother over exactly what was going on between Lisa and Jason. She’d arrived in Berman earlier that morning, and her mother had been going in on her two former best friends ever since she’d walked through the door.
“Here, baby, have a cookie,” Devon’s father said. He slid the platter across the table. “You look like you need it.”
“Oh please, Richard, leave the girl alone,” Devon’s mother Norma replied. She swatted his hand away, then refilled their teacups. “Dev looks great. Plus she’s gotta be ready for the big gala tonight so she can show up that nasty little Lisa. I never did like that child, you know…”
Richard poured sugar into his cup and chuckled softly. “Calm down before you get your pressure up, Norma. Our daughter’s a grown woman now. She’ll know exactly how to handle herself. With dignity and class.”
Norma ignored her husband and sat down next to Devon. “I can’t wait to see the dress you’re wearing. And when do I get to meet this Ryan
Robinson? That young man sure is handsome. And muscular! He’s in much better shape than that little puny playboy Jason.”
“Ryan Roberts,” Richard said, pressing his finger against his lips. But she kept going.
“I still can’t believe Jason up and got engaged on you, especially after you told him how you felt about him! But that’s his loss. And don’t even get me started on how he and that Lisa girl have been flaunting themselves all over town. Everybody’s wondering how his fiancée puts up with it.”
“Mom, please. Enough,” Devon said as her head began to throb.
“Norma,” Richard interjected, “can we just have a pleasant afternoon and enjoy our daughter being home? Why don’t we talk about something more upbeat, like how things are going for her in Los Angeles and what new adventures she’s experienced.”
“Good idea,” Norma said, turning to Devon and shimmying her shoulders. “Let’s get back to this Ryan fellow. I’m so glad he’s escorting you to the gala. I’ve already told everyone at church and in my book club about you two, so the expectations are high. You’re going to be the belle of the ball, sweetheart!”
“Are you serious?” Devon threw her head back in exasperation. “First of all, Ryan and I are just friends—”
“For now,” Norma chimed in before sipping her tea.
“Period,” Devon continued. “And technically, he’s not escorting me to the gala. Ryan just so happens to be a very charitable person who’s contributing to a good cause.”
Norma threw up her hands. “Well, from what you’ve told me, it sounds like he’s interested in more than just a friendship with you. But you can’t see that because you’re still worried about Jason. Don’t let that womanizer ruin your chances with someone who’s actually worth your time.”
Just as Devon parted her lips to refute her mother’s claim, her cell phone buzzed.
“Saved by the bell,” Richard said, winking at her.
She winked back and tapped the notification. It was a text from Ryan.
Hey! Vince and I just landed and are heading to the hotel. Are you and Gabby able to meet us for lunch and discuss tonight?
A burst of energy surged through Devon’s fingertips as she replied to his text.
Absolutely. We’re both visiting our families, but I’ll pick her up and we’ll meet you at the Fremont Hotel Café within the hour.
A few moments later, Ryan replied.
Oh no! I don’t wanna interrupt if you all are hanging with your peeps. We can hook up later.
It is no interruption at all! It’s actually a welcome invitation because my mother is trippin’ lol. See you soon!
Devon sent Gabby a text letting her know the plan, then stood up from the table. “Ryan and Vince just landed,” she told her parents, “so Gabby and I are going to meet them for lunch.”
She bent down so her father could plant a kiss on her cheek. “Sounds good, honey. Go enjoy yourself.”
Norma patted Devon’s back as she cleared the table. “Are you going to have time to come back and see us before the event? I wish you would’ve just stayed here rather than rent a hotel room. That’s just a waste of money.”
“I doubt it, Mom. And I got a really good deal on the room. Plus staying there will make getting ready and being on time a lot easier.”
“Understood. I just miss my baby, that’s all.” Norma hugged Devon tightly. “I hope you have a wonderful time tonight.”
“Thank you, Mom. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Devon said her goodbyes, then slipped inside the powder room to touch up her makeup. As she dug through her bag for a tube of lip gloss, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Lisa.
“What the…” she grumbled, opening the message.
Hey, girl! Long time no chat. I was looking over the gala agenda and saw that Ryan Roberts is attending. Good looking out! I can’t wait to meet him. He is fooiiine. Is he single??
Devon smacked her lips and tossed the phone back in her purse, then reapplied her lip gloss. On the way to the car, she decided to go ahead and respond to Lisa’s message. It was the least she could do to avoid any excess awkwardness between them later that evening.
Hey, thanks. Yes, Ryan will be there tonight. Not sure if he’s seeing anybody. See you later.
“And whether Ryan is single or not, just stay away from him, Jezebel,” Devon said aloud. The last thing she wanted was to subject her new friend to her old friend’s aggressively flirtatious antics.
I see I’m gonna have my hands full tonight… Devon thought before sending the message, then heading out to pick up Gabby.
*
“I received an email from the head of the charity event’s planning committee,” Ryan said. “So I’m all good for tonight.”
He and Devon, along with Gabby and Vince, were tucked away in a booth at the back of the café. They were hoping that the inconspicuous seating arrangement would help Ryan go unnoticed, but people had been frantically approaching him ever since they’d sat down.
“I’ll have a table set up,” Ryan continued, “and that’s where I’ll take pictures with guests and sign the headshots I brought with me. I made sure my publicist gave me a huge stack.”
“That sounds awesome,” Devon said. “Vince, are you all set?”
“Yes indeed. My table’s situated right next to Ryan’s, and I’ll be creating meal plans and workout routines for donors right there on the spot. I also got Posh Fit to donate some of their sportswear for the auction, so that’ll bring in even more money.”
“You guys are amazing,” Gabby said, squeezing Vince’s arm.
“Not as amazing as you…”
“Hey, c’mon,” Devon said. “Get a room!”
“We did,” Gabby retorted, winking at her.
Ryan leaned in toward Devon. “They’re something else, aren’t they?” he whispered as they both watched Vince nuzzle his nose against Gabby’s.
“Yes, they are,” Devon replied, smiling softly. “But I’m happy for them. They’re good together.”
“They are, aren’t they? Should we make a bet on when the proposal’s gonna happen?”
“Ha! Maybe…” Devon abruptly turned toward Ryan, who was now sitting so close to her that their lips practically brushed up against one another’s.
She lunged backward and almost fell against the server as she approached the table with their food in tow.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” Devon said, covering her flushed cheeks.
“No worries, hon, you’re fine,” the server assured her while placing their plates in front of them. “So we’ve got salmon and arugula salads with pomegranate vinaigrette on the side for the ladies, and turkey burgers with coleslaw for the gents. Fresh pitchers of iced tea and water are on the way. If you need anything else, just give me a holler.”
“Thank you,” the group replied in unison.
As everyone dove into their food and continued chatting about the gala, Devon was overcome with a feeling of gratitude. Not only was she surrounded by an amazing new crew who’d made up for the friends she’d lost along the way, but they’d also given her the courage to face Lisa and Jason later that night.
Chapter Sixteen
“You look absolutely stunning,” Devon said, eyeing Gabby in her shimmering gold wrap dress.
“Why thank you, ma’am. You do as well.”
Devon ran her hands down the front of her strapless floor-length fuchsia gown, which clung to her every curve, as she and Gabby made their way toward the Fremont Hotel’s grand ballroom.
“I’m so glad you let me talk you into buying that dress,” Gabby told her. “It’s such a standout and really shows off that bangin’ body of yours. Just the statement you wanna make on your first trip back home.”
“Thanks, girl,” Devon muttered, her voice a bit shaky.
She glanced over at the attendees gathered near the entrance. They were dressed in muted tones and demure, simple styles. When Devon walked by, everyone’s gaze fo
llowed.
“I don’t know, Gab,” she continued, diverting her eyes and staring down at the floor. “Maybe I should’ve worn something a little more subtle. This dress is too showy for our fellow Bermanites.”
“I’m sorry, but have you completely lost sight of why we’re here? I know we came to help raise money for our alma mater and whatnot, but on the petty tip, we’re here to show up Lisa and Jason. Don’t forget that.”
Devon’s stomach somersaulted as they approached the registration table. The school’s vice principal handed them each a program and list of auction items.
“Thank you so much for coming, ladies,” Mrs. Robinson said. “We really appreciate how you two flew all the way in from Hollywood to help save Berman High.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Devon replied.
“That’s wonderful to hear. Enjoy your evening. Oh, and Devon? You look absolutely amazing! You’ll have to share your L.A. secrets with me before the end of the night.”
“Thank you so much! And there’re no secrets, really. Gabby just forced me to put down the burgers and pick up a dumbbell.”
“Oh no,” Gabby said. “I can’t take credit for all your hard work. You did it on your own.”
“Well, whatever you’re doing,” Mrs. Robinson interjected, “keep it up. Clearly it’s working for you.”
Devon’s smile widened as she pushed her hair back behind her ear. “Thanks. I’ll try.”
When a large group of people rushed the table, she and Gabby said their goodbyes and made their way toward the bar. Once again, all eyes were on her.
“I am so not used to all this attention,” Devon said. “Lisa was always the one basking in the spotlight, which she loved. But that’s just never been my thing.”
“Well, you’d better get used to it. The days of you playing the background are over. Tonight’s your night to bask in your glow-up. So shine, baby, shine!”
Devon giggled and waved Gabby off. “Girl, stop. What are you drinking?”
“White wine, please. Then we’ll go take a look at the auction items and stop by Ryan and Vince’s tables.”
She Gets What She Wants Page 12