She poses, an empty champagne flute in her hand. “I know, right?! It was custom-made by Hayley Paige.”
A part of me isn’t surprised by her lack of thanks, so instead I admire her bedazzled mini as we follow her inside the glass house.
“Othello, the guys are downstairs playing pool.” Carina shoots him a pointed look that says it’s less suggestion and more instruction.
His eyes drop to me. “You gonna be okay?”
Carina cuts in, answering for me. “Of course she is! We’re going to have some girl talk.”
I give Othello a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine.”
“Yes, she’ll be fine. I don’t bite,” Carina teases.
She slips her arms through mine and guides me through the house.
“Let’s get you a drink.”
She looks me over.
“You, my friend, look amazing. Is that Oscar De la Renta? That collection isn’t even out yet,” Carina gasps, finally noticing my turquoise ensemble.
“Sometimes we get pieces from work.”
“I guess that’s the luxury of being a journalist for a major magazine.” She sticks out her bottom lip and frowns. “I’m jelly!” Then her eyes light up at the bartender. “Drinks!”
Carina leads us out into the backyard, her steps as graceful as a pageant queen. There are more guests outside than inside the house; most of them are dancing barefoot in swimsuits by a lavish infinity pool or lounging on daybeds draped with linen canopies. I see Danielle in the pool talking to that cute guy from the club. And Jaylah, Camila, and Lety lazing around on one of the daybeds nearby.
Carina and I stop at a makeshift bar and take the only two seats available.
“What can I get for you?” The bartender asks.
Carina holds up two fingers. “Hey Benny, two Kir Royales,” she orders.
Her eyes scan over me again, smiling brightly. “How have you been enjoying everything so far?”
“So far, so good.”
“My mom told me about the meeting. She can be a bit much.”
“I would call it eagerness. She’s just super excited. Her only child is getting married.”
Carina gives a vain grin.
“And my team has wanted to feature your story. The timing just happened to work out, so I’m grateful for it.”
“I bet you are.”
The words are harmless, but her tone suggests otherwise.
Carina accepts the flute Benny slides across the bar and hands the second one to me. I take a cautious sip.
“Let’s go sit with the girls,” she says and saunters off. I follow behind her, taking it all in. Her luxurious lifestyle.
“Your parents really outdid themselves with the events so far,” I tell her, watching people dance around the pool.
“More like my mom. My dad just foots the bill.”
I laugh. “Your mom is wonderful.”
