Glamour (22 page)

I blink. “Nineteen.”

She laughs. “You’re nineteen, with a role in a kids’ reality show? What makes you think you’re an expert on how to make my daughter well?”

Just then the toast pops up, and I distract myself by applying a very thin layer of butter, the way Fran likes it. I cut it into fourths and set it on a small plate. Then with the yogurt in one hand and the toast in the other, I face this outspoken woman. “It’s true, I’m young. And I’m not an expert,” I say evenly. “But I really do care about your daughter.”

“Humph.” She gives me a skeptical look. “I’m guessing you care more about your job and that Fran is your meal ticket than you do — ”

“Excuse
me.” I lock eyes with her, ready to hurl some facts
at her. But instead I walk away. I take Fran’s snack into her room, closing the door a little too loudly behind me.

“Let me guess,” Fran says in a weary voice. “Mother is setting her sights on you now.”

I shrug. “It’s okay.”

“Sorry.”

“Just eat what you can,” I say as I arrange the food on the tray and set it on her bed. I sit down and give her the update on Paige and Dylan. Naturally, I pad the story, making it seem more pleasant and hopeful than it really is. I suspect Fran knows there’s more to it, but I decide perhaps this is a game we both have agreed to play … the Pollyanna game. At least until she’s better. I just hope that she
will
get better. I’m praying (and asking everyone else to pray too) that the transplant will work and turn things around for her. Because I have a feeling if things don’t turn around, Fran won’t last too long. I just wish Fran’s mom got this.

When I’m sure that Fran’s asleep I tiptoe out and find, to my relief, that Mrs. Bishop is not around. I suspect by the sound of the television that she’s retired to the guest room for the evening. I let myself out, locking the door behind me. Then as I’m walking to my car I hit speed dial, finally returning Blake’s call from earlier this evening.

“Hey, Erin.” Blake’s tone is warm and friendly.

I tell him where I am and what I’ve been doing, and he invites me to meet him for coffee on my way home. “Maybe an iced coffee,” I say as I get into my Jeep.

“Great. I have something I want to talk to you about.”

I tell him I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. As I’m driving, I get curious. What is it that he wants to talk to me about? It’s not like we don’t talk a lot these days. In fact, since I got home from the Bahamas, we’ve been in closer contact than ever. I realize it’s partly the result of the letter I wrote him, apologizing
and confessing that I have some fears and inhibitions when it comes to relationships. It’s like when I opened up to him, it opened a new door in our friendship. And now he wants to specifically talk about something.

It seems only natural to suppose that he wants to talk about
us.
Before I broke it off with him, he’d wanted to elevate our relationship to the next level. I’m curious if that’s what he wants now. In some ways, I think I’d be open to committing to an exclusive relationship with him now. In fact, that might actually simplify life a bit. Like I’d know he was there for me, and I’d be there for him. No more playing games and guessing. Really, I’m thinking as I pull into a parking spot near Starbucks, that might be pretty cool.

“Hey, there you are!” Blake hugs me, kissing me on the cheek.

“How was work?” I ask as we go inside and get in line. Blake’s been working this summer for an uncle with a landscaping business.

“Hot and grueling,” he admits.

“But look at that tan,” I say as I touch his cheek. “Hopefully you’re using sunscreen.”

He nods. “Yeah, my mom’s been all over me about that.”

We order our iced mochas then go sit down. Blake is grinning like he’s got a sweet secret and I’m dying of curiosity, but I don’t want to be pushy. Instead, I tell him about Fran’s pushy mother. “She actually thought I was being nice to Fran just to secure my job. She said Fran was my meal ticket. Can you believe that?”

He laughs. “That just shows how out of touch the poor woman is.”

“I guess.” I smile at him. I’m not sure if it’s just me or his tan or the fact that his hair is longer than usual, but it seems like Blake gets more handsome each day. I’m about to mention this when our mochas are ready and Blake goes to get them.

As he’s walking back, I decide that if he is about to ask me to be in an exclusive relationship with him, I will definitely, absolutely, say yes!

“Here you go, my lady.” He sets my drink in front of me and sits down.

I take a sip. “Mmm … delish. Thanks!”

“And I’ll bet you’re wondering why I asked you here tonight.”

“Yeah.” I give him a hopeful smile and wait.

“Well, Ben called me this afternoon.”

I blink. “Ben? Benjamin Kross?”

He smiles. “Yeah. Who else?”

I shrug and try not to show my disappointment, which is twofold. One part is that I suspect this conversation is not going to be about our relationship after all, and another part is that I really wish Blake and Ben would part ways. It was sweet that Blake befriended Ben at first—back when Paige and Ben were dating, and when Ben needed a friend after Mia Renwick, Ben’s reality show co-star, died. But when I saw him in France, it seemed that Ben was intent on returning to his selfish, shallow ways, and I can’t imagine how Blake has any positive influence on him.

“Anyway …” Blake smiles broadly. “Ben’s in on the ground floor of a new reality show.”

“A new reality show … just what this world needs,” I say in a cynical tone that I instantly regret.

His smile fades. “So, it’s okay for you and Paige to have a reality show, but no one else?”

“Sorry. That was just my exhaustion showing.” I force a smile.

“Okay.” He nods. “So anyway, Ben and his producer have been pitching this new show and it sounds like this one network is really interested, and—guess what?”

“I have no idea.”

“Ben’s invited me to be part of it.” Blake is beaming now. “Can you believe that?”

I’m trying to wrap my head around all this. Ben wants Blake to be part of his reality show? “Seriously?”

“Yeah. It would be so cool, Erin. For starters, I could quit working for my uncle—talk about slave labor. Do you know how miserable it is to do yard work in this heat? Plus, I’ll be able to make enough money to go to film school. I mean, later on, after the TV show ends.”

I nod. I know how unhappy Blake’s been with his dad’s pressure to get a “real” degree. And how disappointing his first year of college was. Going to film school was Blake’s dream even before it became mine. It seems that both our dreams got put on hold last year.

“Wow.” I try to make a genuine-looking smile. “That’s cool, Blake. Tell me about the show.” It takes all my self-control not to rain on this parade, or jump to negative conclusions, or to point out that party-boy Benjamin Kross’s show will probably end up a train wreck.

“It’s called
Celebrity Blind Date.”

“Celebrity Blind Date?”

“Yeah. There’ll be an ongoing cast of guys and girls who are semi-known, you know, kinda celebrities—like B-listers.” He chuckles. “Actually they’re more like C-or D-listers. And with the aid of a computer dating service, which will be one of the show’s sponsors, they’ll go on blind dates.”

“Real blind dates?”

“Well, as real as anything can be in reality TV. Naturally, the cameras will be around, but Ben wants them to be sort of incognito. And at the beginning and ending of each episode the daters—”

“The daters?”

“You know, the regular cast—the pseudocelebs. Anyway, they’ll gather somewhere, like a restaurant or club, and they’ll discuss the dates—like what went wrong or right or whatever.”

“It actually sounds like an interesting premise.”

“It is!” His face lights up.

“And so did you tell Ben you would do this—for sure?” I’m hoping there’s still a chance for Blake to escape the crazy world of reality TV.

“I told him I wanted to think about it.”

“And what
do
you think?” It’s a silly question, because I can tell by his expression that he’s already on board.

“It’s a huge opportunity, Erin. I think I want a piece of the action.” He gets a thoughtful look. “But I’m curious … what do
you
think about it?”

“Really?”

“Sure, you’re my best friend, Erin. I want your opinion.”

“Well …” I pause to consider my words. I don’t want to ruin this for him. “You know how a reality show can mess with your life, Blake. You’ve seen the kinds of trials Paige and I have gone through. And that being in the spotlight comes with a price.”

“I know.” He nods. “I’ve had a front row seat, Erin. I’m well aware of the downside of the business. I’d be going in with my eyes wide open.”

“Well, at least as wide open as possible,” I caution. “But you never know what’s around the next corner, Blake. I mean, even this thing with Paige and Dylan—it’s really a by-product of our show.”

“Are you saying Paige wouldn’t have gotten her heart broken if you guys weren’t doing the show?” He studies me closely.

“Hmm … good point.”

“Life is life, Erin. Whether it’s on film or on the streets, it happens. And this blind date show—well, I’ll admit it’s not going to save the planet, but I still think it’ll be good fun. And it will look great on my résumé for film school.”

“That’s what I keep hearing.”

“So anyway. I think I’ll call Ben and tell him to count me in.”

“What will your dad say about this?”

Blake frowns. “Oh, you know, he’ll give me his free lecture about the real world and how I need a real job—but I’m sure he’ll back off once he sees my mind is set.”

Seeing his mind
is
set, I decide not to point out any more potential pitfalls to his plan. “So when do you think it’ll go into production?”

“Assuming the network gives him the thumbs-up, Ben said he wants to get it rolling as soon as possible. He’s worried that someone else might try to snatch his idea.”

“I’m curious, Blake. How do you see your faith playing into the whole thing?”

“My faith is part of who I am, Erin. And Ben actually appreciates that too. He said he wants me to be up front with it. It’ll provide some interesting contrast within the show.”

“Like you’ll be the angelic boy amidst all the little devils?”

He chuckles. “Maybe not quite like that. But Ben wants to have a diverse cast.”

“Meaning it won’t just be a bunch of the old
Malibu Beach
kids—the ones who’ve outgrown that show?”

“He’ll probably use a few of them. But he’ll hire some new faces too.”

Suddenly I feel very tired. “You know, it’s been a long day,” I tell him. “I should probably get going. And I need to check on Paige. She’s still pretty fragile.”

“When is she going public with the breakup?” Blake asks as he walks me to my Jeep.

“I’m not sure.” I glance at him. “You didn’t tell Ben, did you?”

“No. I promised you I wouldn’t. You can trust me.”

“Good.” I sigh as I unlock my vehicle. “To be honest, I’m not totally sure they
are
breaking up.”

“Are you kidding? After what Dylan pulled?”

I shake my finger under his nose. “Remember … innocent until proven guilty.”

“Right.” He leans down and kisses me on the cheek. “Be safe.”

As I drive home, I’m mulling over two things. First and foremost is Blake’s big news. And while I know this is a good career break for him and I should be happy, an unsettling cloak of worry wraps itself around me. What if this “opportunity” derails Blake? What if it unravels him the way I’ve seen it unravel so many others? The other thought nagging me right now is that brotherly peck Blake gave me as a goodnight kiss. What did that mean anyway? That his interest toward me has suddenly cooled now that he’s got a hot new project to leap into? And, if that’s the case, how does that make me feel?

On my way up the stairs to the condo, I remember my hopeful expectation as I drove to Starbucks. I was actually getting ready to tell Blake, “Yes! I want to be in an exclusive relationship with you!” Now, instead of taking that next step, I’m trying to accept that my would-be boyfriend might be participating in a reality show about dating—
dating other girls!

ZONDERVAN

Glamour
Copyright © 2011 by Melody Carlson

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Zondervan.

EPub Edition © DECEMBER 2010 ISBN: 978-0-310-42673-8

This title is also available as a Zondervan ebook.
Visit www.zondervan.com/ebooks.

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan,
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Carlson, Melody.

Glamour / Melody Carlson.

     p. cm. – (On the runway ; bk. 5)

   ISBN 978-0-310-71790-4 (softcover)

   [1. Reality television programs – Fiction. 2. Television – Production and direction – Fiction. 3. Fashion – Fiction. 4. Sisters – Fiction. 5. Interpersonal relations – Fiction. 6. Christian life–Fiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.C216637Glc 2011

[Fic] – dc22

2010037263

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible,
New International Version®, NIV®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers printed in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.