Total Submission(15)

“For you?” I start, but he narrows his eyes before I can say anything else.

“For me. Since I’ll be expecting you to show me whatever you choose. Privately.”

I don’t argue again.

“Thank you,” I murmur meekly, taking the card.

Cam laughs.. “Good girl.”

* * *

I agonize for an hour over what to wear before finally picking some designer butt-hugging jeans, a casual T, and an amazing cropped leather jacket with cool buckles and zips. I put my hair up in a messy bun and apply red lipstick, for the perfect ‘front row fashionista’ look.

It’s weird to be so nervous about a simple lunch date, but things with Keely have me on edge. I know she’s a friend of Cam’s, but I don’t know how much she’s aware of our relationship.

I’m a bundle of nerves by the time Cam’s driver drops me off at the show. I make my way over to the VIP line. A super-skinny girl with short platinum hair scans a list and ticks off my name.

“Oh, you’re Isabelle Ashcroft,” she says, her stare taking in everything about me. For a second, I feel a flash of familiar anxiety. Did I pick the wrong outfit? Wear the wrong shade of lipstick? But the girl just gives me an approving nod. “Nice jacket.”

I exhale in relief. Of course I fit in: I’ve spent my life pretending to be a pretty young thing, but now it feels strange to be moving in these circles again.

I guess I figured this part of my life was over when I decided to leave town.

Now, I brace myself and make my way through the scrum. Journalists and photographers buzz around the runway, getting set up for the show. I scan the crowd and see Keely waving at me from the front row.

I wave back, and cross the room to greet her. “Hi,” I say awkwardly, but Keely gives me an enthusiastic hug.

“I’m so glad you made it!” she beams. She’s wearing a casual designer outfit too, with her light brown hair in loose waves. She turns to introduce me to the woman sitting next to her. “You remember Justine, right? She’s the one who hooked us up with these amazing seats.”

“Perk of being Lucia’s in-house lawyer,” Justine agrees. Her smile is cooler as she takes me in. “Hey.”

“Hi.” I bite my lip, awkward. Justine is a big-shot lawyer, and pretty intimidating – especially when you’re on the other side of the lawsuit. “Thanks for inviting me. It was really nice of you.”

Justine looks surprised. “Sure, no problem.” Her cellphone sounds. She checks her message and sighs, “Drama, drama, drama. I’ll be right back.”

She hurries backstage as Keely and I take our seats. I look around, curious at the crowd.

Keely leans over. “Check it out. Directly across from us. Recognize him?”

I peer across the shiny white expanse of the empty runway. A hot looking guy in a baseball cap, track pants and a leather jacket sprawls in his chair, a look of total boredom plastered on his face.

“That guy in the cap?”

“Yes,” Keely says, leaning in close. “It’s Rafe Dalton, the actor.”

“No way!” I exclaim, excited. “I thought he was doing time for that DUI. TMZ just ran a story on it.”

“Right?” Keely beams, “He was supposed to, but Justine says that he and the prosecutor had, like a ‘close, personal relationship’ and she made some kind of deal to get him off.” Keely adds air quotes for emphasis.

I giggle. “I bet she got him off!”

Rafe glances our way, and Keely grips my arm. “Shh!”

“Don’t worry, he can’t hear us,” I reassure her, still giggling, but I quickly look away, just in case.

Keely smiles, and squeezes my arm again. “I’m glad we’ve got a chance to talk, away from everything,” she adds, sincere.

“And by everything, you mean Brent.”

She makes a face. “Yeah. I heard you guys had a falling out. I hope you’re OK. I know you were close,” she adds.

My heart clenches. I search her face for any sign that she knows just how close we really were, but Keely’s expression is warm.

I relax again. “He’s an asshole,” I say bluntly. “And I never want to see him again.”

“I’m sorry,” she says. “That must be tough. I know he was family to you.”

I nod. He was. “I’m better off without him.”

“Damn right you are.” Keely smiles again. “And anyway, I’m family too. Kind of. So you’re not on your own.”

I’m lucky that the lights go down, to hide the sudden rush of emotion I feel. Keely’s kindness is overwhelming, especially considering our history.