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“You know what? Don’t answer,” English said. She squeezed my hand. “Think about it. The gala isn’t until this weekend. We can plan for it like it’s all happening, and if you want to back out and give it some more time, that is A-okay. No one’s feelings are going to be hurt if you want to protect yourself.”
I swallowed and nodded. “Okay. Thanks, English.”
“I’m your publicist. Not Campbell’s. I am looking out for you, girl. You are my number one priority.”
“Really, thank you.”
English smiled, and it reached her eyes again. “Why don’t I show you around Rodeo Drive, huh?”
Campbell was jittery the rest of the day. He was ready to get into the studio Monday to talk to Michael, but I forced him to spend the afternoon here with me in the summer sun, lounging poolside. It was relaxing after the conversation with English, where she’d warned me that my entire life was about to change. I hoped that I was making the right decision.
The next morning, I found what Campbell spent his money on.
“Holy shit,” I gasped as I stepped into his garage, full of sports cars. “What the fuck, Campbell? You drive a Range Rover at home.”
He ran a hand back through his hair but was smirking. “I have a thing for classic sports cars.”
“I can see that.”
I wasn’t a car buff, but even I knew that most of these were worth a pretty penny.
“I didn’t buy them all mint. Sometimes, Vail helps me figure out which ones to get. She’s been out a few times to work on them with me. It clears my head.”
“And you get your hands dirty,” I said with a wink. “Hot.”
He snorted and pointed one out. “This baby. That’s what we’ll take. It’s a ’61 Ferrari California Spider.”
“I don’t know what that means, but yes.”
I ran my hand down the shiny black finish, opened the passenger door, and sank into the leather interior. It was the most beautiful car I’d ever seen, let alone ridden in.
“We’ll take the top down on the way home,” he told me as he revved the engine.
He brought my hand to his lips and gave me a kiss. Then, he shifted into gear, and we shot out of the garage and down out of Hollywood Hills.
Campbell dropped me off outside of The Beverly Hills Hotel, where Court and English were staying. He kissed me before driving off toward the studio. I met English at the front entrance.
“You ready?” she asked.
“Yep.”
We took a cab to Rodeo Drive, and I was mesmerized by all the shiny boutiques. English knew exactly where she wanted to go, as if she was a pro. We tried out outrageously priced gowns half of the morning before we found the one.
“Oh my God,” she gasped. “That fit is fire.”
I laughed. It was stunning. Maybe the most beautiful thing I’d ever worn.
I passed English my phone. “Grab a picture.”
She held the phone up and took a bunch of snaps from different angles. “That’s the one. I know it is.”
I sent it to my group chat and Honey, who had been messaging me about work all morning. I immediately received a wall of responses.
Annie: Yes!
* * *
Jennifer: Holy shit, Blaire!
* * *
Annie: Yes, yes, yes!!!
* * *
Piper: Whoa, that is gorgeous. Where are you wearing something like that?
* * *
Annie: Don’t ruin this for us, Pipes. Tell us you’re buying it!
I glanced down at the tag. My eyes bulged. It was in the mid-four-digit range. For one dress. I gulped. Well, that changed things. “It’s too much.”
“No worries,” she said. “Campbell slipped me his card to cover it for you.”
“He what?”
English laughed. “He said something about spoiling you.”
“That sneaky bastard.”
“You’ll get used to it,” English said with another laugh at my outrage. “Court is the same way. I make great money, and still, he wants to pay for all my shit. I’ve learned to go with it. It’s better than the alternative when the guy is an asshole and nickel-and-dimes everything he pays for, as if you owe him after the fact.”
“Well, yes, I suppose so.”
“So, we’ll get it.” She gestured to the clerk to ring it up.
I responded to the long string of messages.
It’s official. It’s mine!
The girls all squealed with delight in my messages, and I just laughed. I wished they were all here, shopping with me. I missed them.
Honey’s response came in then.
Wow, Blaire. It’s perfect. I’ve never seen anything like it. You’re still coming home, right? Everything is so glamorous out there!
I laughed and shot back a text.
I am definitely still coming home. This is for one event. You’d love it here.
English crossed her arms. “Now, I have one business question.”
“Okay.” I handed her back my phone and then stepped into the dressing room to remove the gorgeous dress. I still couldn’t believe it was going home with me.
