Raw Deal (Beauty for Ashes: Book One) (36 page)

***

“Guess who I saw today?” I asked Monica when she got back to the hotel that evening. “Alessandro Felice.”

Her eyes widened. “Really? Was he at
Teen
?”

“Yes. He’s got a fashion show in LA next week. I asked if he needed a model. He didn’t.” I stared at my portfolio in defeat. What the man didn’t know was that I would walk his runway for free. I knew he usually used only the very best. His headlining model was usually someone like Bette Wiens.

Monica was tired. I could tell because she was pretty quiet all evening. I did most of the talking, which was definitely role reversal. We had dinner at the hotel restaurant.

My flight was at six forty-five the next morning, so I was looking forward to an early night. I needed it after not sleeping much the night before. I could tell that Monica needed it too. I climbed into bed at eight, unable to keep my eyes open any longer. Monica was studying.

I fell asleep and woke up around ten. “When are you going to sleep?”

Monica just grunted. She woke me up at four. “Go and get a shower. I’ve ordered breakfast. It should be here by the time you get back.”

She was already dressed. “Did you sleep at all?”

“Yeah.”

The bed was so warm and cozy, and I really didn’t want to get up. “Wake me up again in half an hour.”

“Will you have long enough to get ready?”

“Yeah. I don’t preen before the mirror like you.” I rolled over and snuggled into the pillow.

She dragged me out of bed half an hour later, and I shuffled to the bathroom. Why had Sheena booked me on such an early flight?

I ate my breakfast bagel while I dressed up, and then Monica drove me to the airport. She waited with me for almost an hour. I gave her a tight hug before she left. “Thanks for staying at the hotel with me, Monica.”

“Aww, Lexi. I miss you lots, ya know,” Monica said. “Take it easy, okay? Keep in touch.”

I waited for close to an hour after Monica left before they let us board the plane. Three days in New York, and it had been solid work. I hadn’t even been able to go out and see the sights.

***

I was back to LA and back to planet Earth. I bought a packet of white chocolate chip cookies on my way back to college, and I stayed in my tiny dorm room all Thursday, snacking on cookies in between naps. I only emerged on Friday morning because I was desperately hungry. Monica was right. I did have a man’s appetite. It was a good thing I was naturally skinny, because if I wasn’t, my eating habits would probably cost me my modeling career.

Dan came into the kitchen while I was sneaking someone else’s milk into my cereal. I knew I looked guilty.

He gave a low whistle. “You look like a million dollars.”

“Well, it actually only cost three hundred.”

“It suits you.”

“Thanks.”

Dan poured some of my cereal into a bowl. “Wait a minute. It did not cost you three hundred dollars to dye your hair.”

“I know. Crazy. I was desperate though.”

Dan’s handsome face screwed up into an incredulous frown. “And you gave me a hard time for driving a nice car.”

“This is different. It’s for my career. Your car is just to show off on campus.” I loved giving Dan a hard time.

“Me driving a banger would be just as pretentious as some poor guy driving a Beemer.”

“Whatever.”

“I’m loaded, Lexi. Deal with it.”

I had to laugh. I went back to my room with my cereal. Friday was my day off, so I went shopping at noon—food shopping. I needed to stock up. I bought things that I could stash in my room rather than in the kitchen where they would become communal supplies.

That evening I got a text from Carl. I’d missed a few of his calls yesterday and today:
‘How was New York? Hope you got back okay.’

I called him back, but it rang out.

On Saturday, I went home to see my mom. I told her about the photoshoot, still leaving out the fact that it was lingerie. She kinda had the impression it was nightgowns. I’d probably given her that impression last week when I told her.

Our relationship was better now that I wasn’t living at home. I couldn’t feel as neglected as I used to because I didn’t know what time she got home from work anymore. And if we only saw each other once a week, rather than every day, it was easy to forget that her work was the most important thing in her life. Absence truly did make the heart grow fonder.

Chapter 44

“Hey, Lexi, what are you doing on Wednesday night?” Dan asked as I stepped out of the elevator on Monday evening. I’d had to go to the library after my afternoon Principles of Oral Communication
class to print off all the handouts I’d missed last week. My new San Diego friend, Emily Whittle, had come with me and let me copy her notes, too.

Dan was standing by my door looking as hot as ever. I took out my keys. “Why?”

“I need a huge favor. I know it’s late notice, but I really need you to say yes.” He followed me into my room.

“Go on, I’m listening.” I felt a slight flutter inside, but I dismissed it. I didn’t and I would never have a crush on Dan. It just wasn’t going to happen.

“I need a date for an event.”

I rolled my eyes and flung my jacket on the bed. “I have a boyfriend,” I reminded him.

“Alessandro Felice is showcasing for fashion week next Monday, but he’s holding a preview night on Wednesday for some selected people who might want first pick of some of his stuff. My parents are in Europe and can’t go, so I’m representing.”

Whoa! “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I need a date.”

“Okay, I’ll be your date, but it’s not a date. Right?”

“Don’t sound so happy now, Lexi.”

“You knew I’d say yes, didn’t you? What’s the dress code?”

“There is none. I’m just wearing a suit. I imagine the women will all be in dresses, probably pretty elegant. No pressure though.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I can handle it.”

“I know. That’s why I asked you. Thanks for accepting.”

I had to Google Dan. I jumped onto my laptop as soon as he left my room. Who was he? If his parents were on Alessandro Felice’s guest list, they had to be of some status.

It turned out that Dan Black was heir to the Diamond Parlor! His father started the business forty years ago and now had branches in LA, New York, London, and Paris.

I went to the kitchen. Dan was in there setting up a coffee machine. “My ex-boyfriend bought me diamond earrings from your shop.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He was an heir like you, too. His family owns the Glacier hotels.”

“I know Jamie Price. Did you date her brother? I didn’t know she had a brother.”

“I dated her cousin.” I watched Dan fiddle with the machine. I couldn’t believe I was falling into the hands of another heir to billions. How many heirs lived in LA, and how come they kept getting thrown into my path?

“Do you want to try some coffee?” he asked.

“Sure.”

He pushed a few buttons. “So how’d you find out?”

“Google.”

“Why didn’t you just ask me? Why’d you have to stalk me on the Internet?”

“It’s not stalking. It’s research.”

***

“Well, don’t you look chic,” Dan said on Wednesday night as we took the elevator to the parking lot level.

“You sound surprised.”

“I’m not surprised. I’m impressed.”

That was why I could never date him. I’d have to dress up all the time, and I certainly couldn’t be bothered with that. I needed a guy who was still impressed when I had on jeans and no makeup. Carl was that kind of guy.

The preview show was taking place in Skye Bar, West Hollywood. I couldn’t believe the number of photographers outside the bar when we rolled up. A valet approached, and Dan handed his keys over.

The cameras flashed, and Dan gave a small wave as he walked me into the bar. I could just imagine the society pages tomorrow: Dan Black arrives with an unidentified female.

The Skye Bar wasn’t huge, but it was big enough not to feel crowded. Dan and I were at a table for two, which was good. I didn’t have to make small talk with rich strangers all evening. We were also near the middle of the room, which meant we’d have a pretty good view of whatever was going on tonight.

People kept stopping at our table to say hi to Dan and some to ask after his parents. By the time the lights dimmed for the commencement of the show, my cheeks were hurting. All that fake smiling and laughing was taking its toll.

Alessandro’s MC was a clean-cut Italian guy who spoke perfect English with a thick Italian accent, lending a certain panache to the event.

He announced the agenda for the evening: light refreshment, exhibition one, main course, exhibition two, dessert, exhibition three, and then a final word from Mr. Felice himself. Our chef for the night was Ilario Alessi.

I grinned at Dan, “I didn’t know we were getting fed too.”

“And by Ilario.”

“Is he supposed to be really good?”

“He’s one of the best for Italian food.” He reached for the bottle of wine on the table and raised an eyebrow. I shook my head. He filled his own glass. “Do you want me to get you some water?”

“That’d be nice.”

“Sparkling or still?”

“Still.”

Dan rose from the table and went to the bar. I watched him. His suit was really nice. But then, anyone could wear a nice suit; you still had to have the body and the looks to make it work. Dan definitely had both. He was like male art, very hot.

“Guess who’s here,” Dan said when he returned to the table. He set down the jug of water and a glass.

“Who?”

“Carl.”

I looked around. Carl couldn’t be here. “You mean
Carl?
”

“Yeah, your boyfriend.”

“Oh, great! Where is he?”

“The table by the bar.”

I looked over, but I couldn’t see because of the other tables between us. This was not good.

“What’s the deal with you and Carl anyway? You don’t seem to spend much time together.”

“We do.”

“But you’re always in your room, so when do you see him?”

“I haven’t seen him much this week, but we do see each other,” I defended. Carl and I were just fine. We may not be after tonight though. I knew I would be mad if the situation was reversed.

“How long have you been together?” Dan asked.

“Why are you so interested?”

“Because your relationship is strange.”

“We dated in high school?”

“So you’re high school sweethearts.” Dan grinned.

“We broke up for a couple months, though. We got back together when we met again on campus.”

Dan poured my water for me. “Maybe you just wanted security. You were all alone on a big scary campus and, and then suddenly, a familiar face.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, psychoanalyst.”

Waiters bustled around the room serving soup and Italian bread. I spotted Alessandro Felice moving from table to table welcoming his guests and playing the cordial host.

A waiter placed a bowl of soup in front of me. I wiped my spoon with the napkin. I couldn’t live in this circle. Everything was a façade. You didn’t get invited to gatherings like this because you were truly important or nice, but because you had money and people were hoping you’d spend it.

“How’s the soup?” Dan asked.

I tried a little. “Nice.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Nothing.”

“Then talk to me.”

I smiled. “Where about in Europe are your parents?”

“Venice. They go every year.”

“How come you didn’t go?”

“Why would I want to go on vacation with my mom and dad?”

“Why not?” I wished I still had a dad.

“Here’s Carl,” Dan said.

“Are you kidding?”

“No.”

I looked up as Carl approached. I managed a guilty smile. “Hey, Carl.”

He walked past our table to the table of blond-haired socialites behind us. There was a chorus of “Hey, gorgeous,” when Carl joined them.

“Did he just blank me?” I asked Dan.

“Yeah.”

“Did he see me?”

“Of course, he saw you.”

This was not good.

A few minutes later, the music changed. I pushed Carl out of my mind. I’d deal with him later. I looked toward the runway as the first model stepped out. I tried to enjoy it, but all I could think was
it could have been me.
I clapped when they finished. Okay, it had been good. Rather than sitting there hating, I could watch these models and try to learn something. There had to be a reason Alessandro had selected them.