As Jane talked to Hannah, her gaze fell on a bare table across the room . . . a table that was supposed to be piled high with small black-and-silver totes. Crap! Where were the gift bags? “Is Madison here yet?” she asked Hannah.
“I haven’t seen her. She was supposed to bring the gift bags, wasn’t she?”
“Yeah. I’d better . . . no, can you call her on her cell and see where the hell she is?”
“I’m on it!”
Hannah signed off. Just then, someone touched Jane’s arm. “Um, excuse me? Aren’t you that actress from that show? I looooove you so much!” said a high-pitched voice.
Jane turned around, wondering what strange fan was stalking her now . . . but it was just Scar, munching on a celery stick. With her were Deb Rafferty, their trainer from the gym, and a familiar-looking brunette.
“Ha-ha, very funny, Scar,” Jane said, giving her a quick hug. She smiled at Deb. “Hey, how are you? I’m sorry I had to cancel today. Things were kind of nuts.”
“No worries, we’ll just go twice as hard tomorrow to make up for it,” Deb joked.
“This is my friend Chelsea, from school,” Scarlett said, indicating the brunette. “She’s super-smart, so make sure you use really big words when you talk to her.”
Chelsea playfully hit Scarlett on the arm. “Stop it, Scarlett.”
Dana approached the group, waving her clipboard in the air. “Jane! Scarlett! You need to get miked right now! We have to film your entrances before too many people show up,” she said, fidgeting with her earpiece. “Deb and Chelsea, right? I need you two to see Alli—that’s the girl over there in the black shirt—so you can sign releases and get miked, too.”
Deb and Chelsea took off, and one of the sound guys came by with a couple of packs for Jane and Scarlett. Jane noticed Trevor near the bar (talking to that awful editor from Gossip magazine, Veronica Bliss, and some woman in a leopard-print dress) and wondered: Was Trevor here tonight as a guest or producer—or a little of both?
As Jane and Scarlett slid their respective mike packs under their clothes, Dana said, “So you guys know Gaby’s back from her vacation, right? She should be here any minute. She might already be on the red carpet. Anyway . . . when you see her, don’t say anything, okay?”
“Say anything about what?” Jane said, confused. Scarlett had mentioned that Gaby looked different the last time she saw her, kind of like a mini-Madison, which was not good.
“Just keep the comments general, like ‘I like your dress’ or whatever. What, Ramon?” Dana barked into her headset. “Gaby’s here? Good. What do you mean, we’re short one camera? Can’t they . . . fine, I’m coming now.” She hurried away.
Jane and Scarlett exchanged a look. What was up with Dana tonight? She seemed even more frazzled than usual.
“Jane? Are you there?” It was Hannah again, on the earpiece. “I can’t reach Madison. But Isaac was still at the office, and he’s driving over with the gift bags right now. He’ll be here in ten minutes.”
“Good. Thanks.” Jane turned back to Scarlett and smiled. “Sorry, it’s probably going to be crazy like this the whole night.”
“No worries, I know you’re working,” Scarlett said.
“What’s Liam up to tonight?”
“He’s out of town. He has this freelance gig in San Francisco all week.”
So. That explained why Jane hadn’t heard from Liam about Scarlett’s surprise birthday party. Not that he necessarily would have contacted her about it, but still. Now, she was doubly glad she was planning the party, since Scar would have something fabulous to do on her big day. Of course, Scar wasn’t one to fuss over her birthday—she usually preferred something totally last-minute and casual with Jane and whatever other friends happened to be around. But this year would be an exception.
“Is Caleb here?” Scarlett asked her, glancing around.
“Not yet. He texted me and said he and Naveen are on their way.”
Scar didn’t reply. Jane hoped that Scar wouldn’t feel too uncomfortable seeing Naveen tonight. She knew it was awkward for Scar to have to hang out with him on camera, since Liam couldn’t be on the show.
Jane also hoped that Scar wasn’t going to be weird about Caleb. Her only comment since the two of them started dating again had been, “If he hurts you again, so help me God, I will personally inflict him with severe bodily pain.” Typical Scar. Jane had reassured her that she and Caleb were taking things slowly, and that she wasn’t going to set herself up for that kind of heartbreak again.
Jane knew Scar wasn’t exactly happy about the latest voice-overs Jane had recorded for the show, recapping previous episodes for viewers and hinting at what was to come next. Jane wasn’t thrilled about them, either. She didn’t like having to say stuff like I didn’t think I was ready to start dating again after Jesse and I broke up. But now I can’t stop thinking about Caleb. Or: It looks like MY best friend and Caleb’s best friend can’t stop thinking about each other, either. I wonder if they’re going to hook up? She had argued with Trevor about these lines, especially the ones about Scar and Naveen, but in the end, he had managed to persuade her to record them with no changes. “They’re not supposed to be the truth, Jane,” he had explained in his annoyingly calm voice. “They’re supposed to make viewers want to watch the episode.” Whatever.
Jane saw Dana signaling to her and Scar from the red carpet area. “Hey, we’d better get out front,” she suggested.
“Sure. Let’s get this over with,” Scarlett agreed.
As they threaded their way through the room, Jane saw that the place was already starting to fill with guests (including D—she made a mental note to say hi to him later). The DJ was playing Lady Gaga . . . the barely clothed waitresses were beginning to seat people and serve drinks . . . and a small group was already checking out the video game, which looked pretty intense up there on the big screens. Good. Except for the gift bag snafu, which was now under control, everything was going perfectly and according to plan.
She and Scarlett neared the red carpet area, where people were waiting to walk the press line of photographers and reporters. Then Jane’s gaze wandered to the end of the line, to a girl in a skintight black minidress on the arm of a really cute guy. Jane recognized the guy; he was Topher Gant, the super-hot young actor from a super-hot TV show called My Town. She didn’t remember his name being on the guest list, although it was a huge coup having him here. And she felt like she’d met the girl before . . .
Jane grabbed Scarlett’s arm. “Wait. Is that Gaby?” she whispered.
“Ohmigod!” Scarlett whispered back. “I think that’s her? Except, um, when did she get double Ds?”
“Padded bra?” Jane guessed, not taking her eyes off Gaby.
Scarlett looked doubtful. “Or maybe she wasn’t actually ‘on vacation’ these last few weeks. Maybe she was recovering. I’ve gotta say, the most I’ve ever come back from Mexico with was a tan. Oh, and a henna tattoo, once.”
“No way!” Jane couldn’t believe Gaby thought she needed plastic surgery. Gaby fussed over her appearance, sure, but she had always been kind of understated, even conservative, preferring her blouses buttoned almost to the top and her skirts just above the knees.
Gaby spotted the two girls and pranced up to them. “What an awesome party! Topher, these are my friends Jane and Scarlett.”
“Hey,” Topher said. His gorgeous blue eyes fixed briefly on Jane and Scarlett before cutting away, no doubt to see if there were more attractive/interesting/important people for him to talk to.
“Topher’s an actor,” Gaby explained. “He’s on that new show This Town.”
“My Town,” Topher corrected her, sounding annoyed. “Where’s the bar?”
“Over there,” Jane said, pointing. “Gaby, I . . . uh . . . like your dress.”
“Thanks! It’s a Mario Nuñez.”
Jane couldn’t get over Gaby’s transformation. It was clear from her bulging cleavage that she had had a procedure done
. Combined with her heavy makeup, plumped lips, spray tan, slight weight loss, and obvious hair extensions, she looked like an oversize Barbie doll. It was more cartoonish than cute.
So this was what Dana had meant when she asked them not to say anything to Gaby. Jane knew there would be no explanation on the show as to why Gaby looked totally different. L.A. Candy was about the real lives of regular girls, and regular girls like Gaby didn’t get boob jobs and lip injections. Or if they did, they didn’t talk about it.
“So I just got back from vacation,” Gaby spoke up, plucking an icy shot glass from a passing waitress’s tray. “What’d I miss while I was gone?”
“Not much. Deb’s got me doing a new Pilates routine at the gym. It’s awesome,” Scarlett replied.
“And I’ve been super-busy with work,” Jane added.
Gaby blinked at Jane. “Oh, yeah. Speaking of . . . you should stop being so mean to Madison at the office! She said she comes up with all these amazing ideas, and you just blow them off! You should give her a chance.”
Jane gaped at Gaby. Where had that come from? “Yeah, well, Fiona makes the final decisions about everything, anyway,” she said as casually as she could manage. “Soooo. How was Mexico?” she said, hoping to change the subject.
“Madison’s really upset, Jane. You should take her out to lunch and make up,” Gaby persisted. “It’s the least you could do. I mean, after everything you put her through.”
“Everything I put her through?” Jane demanded.
Scar shot Jane a not now look. Jane took a deep breath and made herself mentally count to ten. She had no idea what sort of game Gaby was playing, or who was making her say these idiotic things (Trevor? Dana?). But Scar was right; Jane couldn’t continue with this she-said, she-said drama without the risk of appearing as dysfunctional as Madison. She would have to have a private conversation with Gaby later, off camera.
Gaby blinked at Scarlett. “You should apologize to Madison, too. She was soooo depressed after you told Jane all those rumors about her and Jane moved out of her apartment.”
“What? Gaby, are you on something?” Scarlett blurted out.
“Scar!” Jane hissed. Now it was her turn to shut Scar up. “Hey, why don’t we all get a drink before I have to start working? I think—”
“O-M-G! Is this a reunion or what?”
Uh-oh, Jane thought.
Madison sauntered up to the three girls, dressed in a tangerine minidress and black patent leather heels. “I hope you weren’t talking about me,” she trilled.
“Actually, we were,” Gaby replied, air-kissing Madison. “Wow, you look hot!”
Jane started to mentally count to ten again, but only got up to three. “Madison, where have you been? You forgot about the gift bags!”
“Jane, you always stress about the details. It’s no biggie—I’ll send one of the intern boys over for them. Anyway, that’s so not important right now. I want you guys to meet someone.”
Jane noticed a girl standing directly behind Madison. She couldn’t place her, although there was something eerily familiar about her. She was eighteen-ish, blond, and stunning. Jane was surprised that Madison would hang out with a friend—especially on camera—who so clearly outshined her in the looks department.
“Oooh, are you a model?” Gaby asked the girl.
The girl smiled and shrugged.
“Guys, this is my baby sister, Sophia,” Madison announced.
Madison’s . . . sister? Jane had no idea Madison even had a sister. Trevor had gone out and hired a friend for Jane; was it possible he’d cast a “sister” for Madison? She knew his definition of “reality” was sketchy at best, but the possibility seemed a little extreme, even for him.
“She’s gonna be staying with me for a while,” Madison went on.
“Oooh, fun!” Gaby said eagerly.
“Good thing you have a big apartment,” was all Scarlett said.
Jane glanced curiously at Madison, then at Sophia, then at Madison again. Madison had a big, fake smile plastered on her face, as usual, but the expression in her eyes was troubled, almost pained. Jane had never seen Madison look like that before.
Something weird was going on. Was Madison unhappy about her (way prettier) sister sharing airtime with her? Or was it something else altogether?
Chapter 20
Gossip Fest
“Can you believe this night?” Scarlett leaned back in the passenger seat of Jane’s Jetta and put her bare feet up on the dashboard. Her laid-back demeanor was at odds with the seven-hundred-dollar dress that she was wearing on loan from some new designer. The cool April breeze blowing through the half-open windows felt great, especially after standing around in a jam-packed club all night. Scarlett was beyond tired but at the same time newly energized, because she was finally alone with her best friend . . . unmiked . . . and brimming with important topics to discuss.
“So where do we start? Sophia or Gaby?” Jane said. She, too, seemed ready for a marathon gossip fest.
“You mean, the crazy person posing as Gaby? Cuz that girl is definitely not Gaby.”
“Do you think Madison brainwashed her? Or Trevor? Or both?”
“I think it might be her new publicist, Annabelle. She was at the party tonight. Short, curly brown hair, leopard-print dress. She was hovering over Gaby like a mother hen.”
“Oh! Annabelle Weiss. I saw her name on the guest list. Ohmigod, I told Gaby to sign with her, didn’t I?”
“Yep.”
“God. Well, anyway . . . I noticed Annabelle talking to Trevor a lot. And Veronica Bliss. And she was hanging around Topher Gant, too. Hey, I wonder if she’s also his publicist? And maybe she arranged for him and Gaby to come to the party together? I heard publicists do that, to make sure their clients get into the magazines.”
Scarlett frowned. “You mean, like, fake that two people are dating so they’ll get more press coverage?”
“I guess?”
“Ew.”
Although . . . Scarlett realized that Trevor was doing something similar with her and Naveen (who was at the party tonight and who Dana kept ordering her to talk to). And that Scarlett was allowing it to happen. So what, exactly, did that say about her?
They passed the intersection of Sunset and La Cienega, and Scarlett was startled to see a gigantic image of herself on a billboard, wearing a hot pink bikini and lying on a gigantic Photoshopped bed of peppermint candies. The line WHO’S your FAVORITE FLAVOR? was spelled out across the bottom in huge red letters. Classy. It was part of PopTV’s new ad campaign, with each of the four girls in a different-color bikini against a different candy-theme background . . . because the ratings weren’t high enough already?
“Seriously, I can’t believe what a bitch Gaby was to us tonight,” Scarlett mused out loud. “I’m definitely gonna have to have a little talk with her ASAP.”
Jane nodded. “Me too.”
“And what’s up with Madison? She looked pretty stressed about having her ‘baby sister’ around.”
“Yeah, I’m soooo glad my baby sisters aren’t like Sophia,” Jane agreed. “She was like Madison two-point-oh. Hopefully she’s not here for long!”
Sophia had been quite a terror at the party, slamming back shots and flirting with anything with a heartbeat. Madison had stayed glued to her side all night, whispering furiously in her ear, no doubt telling her to cut it out. Which didn’t seem to work too well.
“Sophia’s proof that Caleb’s not a cheater, though,” Jane added.
“Come again?”
“He didn’t even look her way when she made the moves on him. Twice. He didn’t seem to notice Gaby’s new, uh, assets, either. I’m just saying.”
“Hmm.”
Scarlett knew that after their breakup, Jane had wondered if Caleb might have been cheating on her at Yale. Which, in Scarlett’s humble opinion, was a very likely scenario. Although maybe he had changed since then? “How are things going between you two, anyway? Are you guys in love again
, or what?” Scarlett said, hoping that the answer was no.
“Who said I’m looking to fall in love? I just want a nice, stress-free relationship for a change.”
“So you’re happy?” Scarlett asked, hiding her oh really? expression. Because, really? She doubted Jane was able to be with a guy she truly liked and not fall in love.
“Definitely! Caleb is exactly what I need right now. It’s just low-key with him, no pressure. Like tonight. See how I’m going home with you instead of with him? We’re not like one of those clingy couples that need to be together twenty-four/seven.”
Scarlett laughed. “Hey, watch it. It just so happens that I’m a real catch. And if Liam wasn’t out of town, I would so stand you up for him.”
“Ha-ha.”
“So what does Braden think about you dating Caleb?”
“Braden? Um . . . well . . . I haven’t mentioned it to him.”
Scarlett raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Aren’t you guys in touch? I mean, have you heard from him since he took off for Alaska or wherever?”
“Banff. Yeah, he emails a couple of times a week, but . . .” Jane’s voice trailed off uncertainly.
Scarlett turned and stared at Jane, who was driving with one hand and twirling her hair with the other. Hmm. Jane was obviously still hung up on Braden. Which might be the real reason why she wasn’t madly in love with Caleb?
“Janie, have you ever told Braden how you feel about him?” Scarlett asked her gently.
“What? I spent the night with him! I think that’s pretty clear.”
“Okay. First of all, I’ve hooked up with plenty of guys that I didn’t have feelings for. Sometimes hooking up is just hooking up, ya know? You can’t expect Braden to read your mind.”
Jane seemed to consider this. “Well, what if that’s just it?” she said after a moment. “What if he just hooked up with me and doesn’t actually have feelings for me?”
“Yeah, he doesn’t care about you, Janie. That’s why after losing his best friend and having the media drag his name through the mud, all because of you, the guy is still sending you emails twice a week.”