Searching for Moore (36 page)

“Yes, I love my father,” his eyes narrowed.

“Do you want him in your life?”

“What do you think?” Now out of sight of the rest of the party, he had no need for pretenses or civility.

“Trust me, you don’t want to know what I think, and frankly, that is not the issue here. Do you want him in your life?” Mia asked for a second time.

“Yes, I want him in my life.”

Mia said nothing more to him. She nodded her head, turned and walked away, leaving Zac standing there, confused.

“Mia?” He caught up with her at a quick pace and put a hand on her arm to stop her.

“Yes, Zac?”

“Was that it?” He wanted more, a conversation, a fight.

“Yes.” Mia met him with indifference.

She could see his mind spinning with a million thoughts and before he went off in a direction she didn’t want him to go, Mia decided to throw him off balance, “We have a really hot opening to get to and you look like a freaking model, so let’s go.” She slipped her arm through his and led him back to a surprised group and asked with the biggest, brightest smile she could paint on her face, “Everyone ready to hit the road?”

The limo pulled up in front of L9/NYC and there was already a crowd gathered out front comprised of guests arriving, security, paparazzi, and onlookers hoping to get a peek and photo of their favorite celebrity.

Mia saw Charles talking to seemingly no one, but knew he was giving staff orders through some type of hidden walkie-talkie device. A doorman opened the door to the limo and Yoli and Debbie exited first, followed by Kami and Seth, then Zac, who set off a flare of paparazzi flashes just by looking like a star or a model, the same with Holly and Jared.

Mia squeezed Schooner’s hand, “This is it, Baby Girl.” From a walkway in front of Brewster Hall to the sidewalk in front of L9/NYC with paparazzi and press awaiting their arrival, Mia and Schooner were entering a new world, together.

Schooner stepped out of the car and reached a hand down for Mia, escorting her from the limo. Putting an arm around her shoulder as they began to walk, she looked up at him and they both smiled and simultaneously uttered, “Showtime” — breaking into huge smiles at their trademark synchronicity. It was at that moment that the surrounding cameras began to flash, and the image that was captured of handsome California turned New York entrepreneur Schooner Moore, and his beautiful and very pregnant New York love Mia Silver, felt almost voyeuristic. Schooner and Mia were looking at one another with a love that made them oblivious to their surroundings, smiling as if they were clearly sharing a very private secret. This picture would grace Women’s Wear Daily, the social columns of the New York newspapers, fashion and fitness magazines, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, Paris Match and Vogue. It would be this image that would forever remain in people’s minds when they thought of Mia Silver and Schooner Moore.

The offices were set up for press interviews and a steady stream of journalists and photographers were booked for their one-on-ones with Schooner. Kami and Schooner had prepped extensively for the interviews, conducting due diligence on each of the reporters. As Schooner was both well-seasoned and a natural — especially with women reporters (it just took a flash of his All-American boy smile), they didn’t anticipate any surprises or situations he couldn’t handle.

Mia had come in and was standing in the threshold of the office as Schooner was finishing up his last scheduled interview of the evening. He was sitting behind his desk, long legs crossed in his impeccable Fendi suit, very focused on the interviewer.

The reporter, a small serious woman dressed in vintage Chanel, had bird-like features and a champagne blonde French twist. She quickly looked through her notes before looking back up at Schooner, “I have one last question, Mr. Moore. What is the significance of the name Level 9?”

Schooner cocked his head to the side and looked at the diminutive reporter with a small, appreciative smile. “Do you know, that you are the first member of the press to
ever
have asked me that question?”

The reporter looked surprised and pleased with herself.

“What does L9 mean?” Schooner smiled, repeating the question, an introspective smile on his handsome face. He was silent for a moment, clearly inside his head, remembering something and formulating his response, “L9 or what has morphed into Level 9 is my personal inspiration for not only attaining the best that I can be, but also the best that I can do for others. It’s a philosophy that I not only try to apply on a personal level, but also apply to any impact that I may have in a broader sense,” he paused again, before looking directly into the reporters eyes as he continued, “The summer after my freshman year in college,” he began, his eyes flicked to Mia momentarily, and he gave her a small, sad smile, “I accompanied a group of doctors to the Southern Province of Zambia, to a village called Macha, where we helped set up a hospital. I went to lend an extra set of hands to the medical staff, or in my case, one hand, because my right hand was in a cast at the time. Within the first few days after our arrival, I noticed that families were traveling long distances seeking medical attention and literally bringing their entire family on the journey. The children were waiting around all day with nothing to do while their parents were waiting to be seen by the doctors. So, after I had assisted with the initial set-up of the hospital, I asked myself, “What can a one-handed jock do to really be useful to both the medical personnel and to the patients? And there was only one answer to that, start a sports and soccer camp for the kids,” he laughed, “and with the help of nine very dedicated children from the local village, I set up an exercise, soccer and wellness camp for both local and visiting children.” Schooner paused, smiling at a memory, “We did everything from basic exercise to soccer matches to learning lifesaving techniques such as CPR and oral-rehydration therapy. At the end of the summer, we held a soccer tournament that turned into a huge event, where everyone in the village came out,” he laughed, “basically a tailgate party, Zambian-style.” Schooner was clearly enjoying the memory, “There was a village elder, named Levi Mambwe, who pulled me aside and had a very enlightening discussion with me on my last night there. He talked with me about gifts and passion and what I had done for the children of the village. His inspirational words touched me deeply, and I knew from that moment on, what my path in life would be. I also knew that the people of Macha had done much more for me than I had actually done for them. L9 is my way of paying homage to both Levi, and the nine children of Macha, who dedicated themselves to the sports camp. It has been my way of thanking them for what they taught me and the gift that they gave to me and that I have, in turn, been able to share with others. So, for me L9 is a level at which I aspire to live my life — a way of paying things both back and forward through inspiring people to maintain mind and body health. And that is the significance behind the name Level 9.”

The reporter turned off her microphone and looked Schooner square in the eyes. “You are more than just a pretty face, Mr. Moore. I am honored that I will be the one to share that story. Welcome to New York.”

Mia stood in the doorway smiling, as the reporter left. “Remember when I asked you if people knew who you really were?” Schooner nodded, “I think after this, everyone will have a really good idea.”

With the interviews completed, Mia and Schooner went out to join the party. L9/NYC was packed; the champagne was flowing, waiters passed hors d’oeuvres on silver trays, live music pulsed from the center of the rotunda. Schooner grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

They stood at the rail of the second floor mezzanine surveying the ethereal club. Shai had created a scene from a dream. “I want a sip.” Mia reached out for Schooner’s champagne.

“You do?” He was surprised, as she had not drank at all throughout the pregnancy.

“Mmm-hmm, just a sip. To celebrate.” Schooner held the flute to Mia’s lips and she took a small sip.

“Yum! I’ve missed that.” She looked down at the throng of people in the rotunda below. “Look at this, Schooner.” She looked up at him and he was smiling, ear to ear. “Let’s go work the room.” She took his hand and they descended the marble stairs. At the bottom, she turned to him and gave him a quick kiss, “Go work your peeps and I’ll go work mine,” she gave his hand a squeeze, “till we meet again,” and with a flash of her devil grin, they headed off in opposite directions.

Emma Stone, the Olsen Twins, Rachel Bilson, Bradley Cooper, Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds, Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler, Selma Blair, Victoria & David Beckham, and of course, Katie Holmes. Mia thought, ok those are the ones that I can name, as she stopped to say hello and greet guests. There were so many faces she knew that she should know who they were, but couldn’t put a name to the face. Ok, they are on that CW vampire show, she thought, as she greeted a couple with a huge smile and a “Hi there, isn’t this space fabulous, are you having a good time, great to see you…”

After close to an hour of buzzing from conversation to conversation, Mia headed to the perimeter of the rotunda where there were a few tables set up. She had Shai keep the number of tables to a minimum, so that guests would have to mingle, but her feet were past the mingling point and her Jimmy Choo’s were soon going to have a Christian Louboutin crying effect, if she didn’t sit.

At a table situated near an alcove and slightly removed from the fray, Mia spotted Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick sitting with a few people and there was an empty chair. Salvation, she thought, as she headed their way with a determined walk and a smile on her face. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw who was sitting next to the empty chair.

She came up behind him, placed her hands on his shoulders and whispered into his ear, “Just seeing you gives me a heart boner.” He turned to meet his whisperer, his huge trademark smile overtaking his face as well as a look of surprise, for he did not recognize the whisperer, who was quoting the words that he had tweeted out on Valentine’s Day. Mia met him with a huge devil grin and said, “I have the biggest crush on you!” His warm brown eyes widened at the bodacious introduction and she went on, “Hi, I’m Mia Silver.”

His mouth opened into a big surprised “O” before breaking into a smile, “
You’re
Mia Silver? All night everyone has been saying to me, I can’t believe you don’t know, Mia and You have to meet Mia.”

“Ta-Da.” Mia put out her hands, “And now you have!” Before sitting down next to her secret crush, Bravo TV’s Andy Cohen, Mia went around the table to greet Sarah Jessica and Matthew.

“I can’t believe you two have never met.” SJP was surprised. “You look wonderful, Mia. How are you feeling?”

“Great, except for my feet tonight.” She looked down at her beautiful shoes.

“Silver Jimmy Choo’s — now that is perfect for you.” Sarah Jessica laughed.

“I know! Schooner gave them to me. He thought the same thing.”

“Schooner Moore?” Andy asked.

Mia nodded. “I had a meltdown in front of Christian Louboutin a few months ago thinking I was going to have big swollen platypus feet and that I was going to have to wear Birkenstock’s, so Schooner thought that Jimmy Choo’s would make me happy. And he was right,” she laughed.

“I haven’t met him yet,” Andy began, taking a sip of his champagne, “which is amazing because he was quite the talk of all the Real Housewives of Orange County.”

“I’ll bet he was.” Mia rolled her eyes. “I’ll introduce you.” She scanned the room, “There he is.” Mia pointed across the rotunda where Schooner was talking with Heidi Klum and Amy Adams, “The Brooks Brothers model talking to Heidi Klum.”

Andy looked at Mia and laughed, “No wonder he was the talk of the Housewives. He’s gorgeous!” Andy grabbed Mia’s forearm.

“Inside and out.” Mia smiled.

“So, you’re his ad agency?” Andy asked, leaning in close for the scoop on Mr. Hotness.

“Amongst other things.” Mia smiled and Andy cocked his head to the side in a “tell me more” gesture. “Baby Mama.”

Sarah Jessica looked at Andy, “Get with the program, Cohen. That man is in New York because of Mia.”

Andy leaned over and whispered in Mia’s ear, “And the blonde OC
shiksa
?”

“A signature away from where she should have been twenty-four years ago when she hatched her evil plan to break us up. Gone. Goodbye.”

Andy was staring into Mia’s eyes shocked, when their attention was drawn away by a buxom bleached blonde shrieking his name, “Andy, it’s been so long.”

The smile was plastered on Andy’s handsome face, but the look in his eyes said, “Who the fuck are you?”

Mia and Sarah Jessica exchanged smirks. She introduced herself and as fate would have it, she was a friend of a friend of one of the Housewives and had appeared briefly in the crowd at a party in one of the episodes, several years back.

“This is my cue to go upstairs and change into more comfortable shoes.” Mia announced, standing to leave.

Before she could take a step, Mia heard her name being called as Katie Holmes approached, “You look adorable! Schooner told me you two are expecting.” Katie wrapped her in a warm hug, as if they were old friends.

“Katie,” Mia smiled and hugged her back, “It’s so good to see you. How do you like this space vs. the ones on the west coast?”

“This is amazing. I can’t wait to start using the facilities. It is so unique. Just like Schooner though to create a fabulous concept.” Mia was smiling brightly at Katie’s assessment.

Katie and Andy hugged and the Housewife wannabe was dying to get Katie’s attention, but Katie and Sarah Jessica were already talking about school starting for their kids and Mia was left with Andy and the wannabe.

“Are you Mia Silver?” The wannabe asked.

Mia was concentrating hard on her face. It had no movement to it. Botox overload was Mia’s assessment. “Yes, I am.” Mia responded.

“I’m a friend of CJ Moore’s. Schooner’s wife.” She leaned in toward Mia, with her tall, lean frame.

“Of course you are.” Mia smiled, “Wonderful, then you’ll be able to report back to her how fabulous
our
opening was. Now if you’ll excuse me, Schooner had the foresight to buy me the cutest pair of silver Jimmy Choo flats to change into when these,” she motioned to her gorgeous silver slingbacks, “became too much.” She turned to Andy, “I’ll introduce you and Schooner when I get back.” And in a whisper, “Score one for the Jewish girl.” Andy’s face broke into a huge smile, his eyes crinkling in the corners.