Absolutely Famous(92)

“Wow Allie, this is really great,” I tell her as I take my seat under the huge umbrella, ignoring Steve and Sal who sit at the next table.

“I know. Sometimes a group of us come here for happy hour.” She makes a face. “Well, I used to go with them to happy hour.”

“I’m so sorry Allie. I should never have let you get involved in my giant bottomless crapbag of problems.”

Her eyes narrow as she stares at me. “Listen, it’s not your fault that the people I work with are star-fucking assholes.”

So much like her hot tempered brother.

“Plus, you’re like a sister to me. I would never leave you to deal with that bullshit by yourself in a foreign country. And, who else would have kicked my brother’s ass if he didn’t get his head on straight and work it out with you?” She takes a sip of her beer before continuing. “I got something out of it anyway, so it’s not all bad.”

“You’re actually blushing!” I laugh at Allie’s red cheeks. “So you and Declan are good I take it?”

“We’re great, Syd. He’s coming from L.A. to go with me to the ball. In fact, his flight gets in later tonight.”

“I’m so happy for you.” Raising my glass I prompt her to do the same. “To us, for being bad-ass enough to kick the crap out of haters and enjoy life in spite of them.”

“To us!” she says.

We both drink a swig of our beers and have a great time laughing and talking, like girlfriends should. We talk about Leah and Ryker, who are driving up from New York tomorrow to go with us to the ball the following night. Allie tries her best to ignore the other diners, some of whom are not being very discreet as they take photos of us on their cellphones.

“I better not have ketchup on my face,” she mutters under her breath. “I just don’t see how you can stand it Sydney. People always trying to get a picture, or touch you, or meet you. It’s irritating.”

“Honestly, it’s all I’ve ever known since I was a kid, and the years that I hid in New York? I was even more miserable living in fear that someone would find out who I was. It’s just easier to accept it and move on.”

“Would you mind if I got a picture with you gorgeous ladies?” A good-looking kid wearing a Boston College T-shirt is standing in front of us with his cellphone, a hopeful look on his face. Sal starts to get up but I wave him off so he won’t come over.

Allie scowls, but I speak before she can go off on the poor guy. “Sure.”

“My frat brothers are never gonna believe this,” he gushes. He gets between me and Allie and we ask the waitress to take the picture for us. Ecstatic, the guy thanks us and walks away.

“Why did you agree to that?” Allie asks with a puzzled look on her face.

I shrug. “I’m not sure. I think I’ve decided that it’s just easier this way. As long as they’re polite and not interrupting anything important, I don’t see the point in being a giant douche to everyone.”

“Drew would most definitely disagree,” she says sarcastically.

“Yeah, I know.” We share a laugh at my poor boyfriend’s expense.

“He’s changed how he interacts with fans since the incident,” Allie says. “Now, he’s like an angry swarm of bees, ready to attack anyone who gets within ten feet of you. Not that I blame him.”

“I know. I’m working on taming the infamous Forrester temper.”

“Well good luck with that girl, you’re going to need it!”

We clink glasses again and enjoy the rest of the day.





Chapter 31



Slipping into my gown, I’m amazed at the girl in the mirror. The icy blue silk and chiffon beaded gown clings to me like a second skin. The people Drew hired to do my hair and makeup just left the suite and I barely recognize myself. Just like at the scandalous launch party for Verve in New York, I look exactly like my mother except I have auburn hair where hers is a dark chocolate brown. How I managed to fool people for all of those years baffles me.

I see Drew come up behind me in the mirror and am rewarded with watching his jaw drop. Turning around, I take him in, letting my gaze travel up and down his body. He’s so freaking gorgeous I can barely stand it. Forgoing a regular tuxedo, Drew is wearing a close-fitted black suit with a crisp white dress shirt and black tie. The waist tucks in and shows his athletic figure to perfection.

“You look stunning,” he says, slowly walking around me in a circle.

“I was about to say the same thing,” I say in a low voice as I watch him check me out. “Like what you see, Mr. Forrester?”