“I’ll focus on that crap, just as soon as the Fashion Show and Lingerie Ball are done and over with.” I look back at Jonah who has cranked up the six-speaker stereo, this time bobbing his head to music of TheCure.
I should have caught anUber.
“I’m already packed.” He looks at me, his smile as mischievous as theJoker’s.
And of course he’s already packed. The Fashion Show is all he talksabout.
Every. Single.Year.
It’s an annual affair in Milan, Italy thatCraveMehas never missed. Naturally, Jonah attends the ball each year sinceCraveMeis one of his Marketing Firm’s top clients. He’s good at video editing and always seems to capture flawless images of the Fashion Show. He then transforms them into trendsetting brandpromos.
I let out a soft chuckle. “Why am I not at all surprised you’re alreadypacked?”
With a lopsided smirk Jonah looks at me. “You know I can’t disappoint the beautiful ladies of Milan. I packed all myGQ man of the yearshit. I’m leaving Milan with a girlfriend this year. Youwatch.”
That would be Jonah’s ceremonialproclamation.
Truth is, he’s been searching for a girlfriend now for the past four years. But no woman can seem to measure up to whatever embellished expectation hehas.
Exiting the freeway, he drives along Wilshire Blvd, eventually turning onto BeverlyDrive.
“Thanks for picking me up, and losing TMZ, man. I’ve had enough of videos and cameras for theday.”
“No worries, my man. What’s up with that chick anyway…Miss Potty Mouth? She certainly is a hottie. I saw the video trending all over the internet. Pretty hilarious.” He pulls up my long driveway and the car rolls to astop.
I open the door and jump out, patting my pockets, making sure I’ve got my phone and my keys. “Hernameis Daniella and all I know is, I’m dying to find her. Liza is searching every possible source and she’ll text me once she locatesher.”
Jonah raises two skeptical eyebrows. “Well, alrighty then. Good luck with that. I’ll catch yalater.”
I shut the door, whack the roof of the car, and Jonah speeds off toward his house…which is, incidentally, on the sameblock.
But don’t judge us. The two of us are like the brothers we neverhad.
* * *
Several hours have passedand the media isstillrelentless in their coverage of me. Don’t they have more interesting guys to reporton?
Surely some Pop-star must be having an onstage concert meltdownsomewhere.
The crisp February air skates across my face as I open the glass sliding door and step out into my backyard. The view is sedative. Just what I need. I’ve lived in this house, this city, thisway, for my entirelife.
I’ll admit it’s a grandiose lifestyle. But I crave change. Something fresh. Different.Unexpected.
Something—
The sound of my phone’s sharp tone thrusts me out of my pensiveI hate being a rich guymoment.
A text fromLiza.
Liza: Hey Boss. Greatnews!
I can feel the corner of my mouth lift into asmile.
Could she have foundDaniella?
Oh God, please,yes.
Me: I can use some greatnews.
