“What’s the rush? Looks like you two were about to share something special out there. Maybe continue what you started on the ice,” Fiona says bitingly as she slinks over from behind the archway, where she must have been watching us.
I roll my eyes at Charlie. “Want a drink?”
“Are you sure that’s the best idea?” Fiona cackles. “This is an important juncture in your career. I’d hate to see you screw it up by being drunk.”
“Juncture: that’s a big word for you, Fiona. Are you sure you even know what it means?”
Charlie stifles a laugh. “C’mon, Case, let’s get that drink.”
“Make it a double!” I laugh. “I want to be extra wasted when I talk to the McKnights. Heard they were asking for me.”
Fiona ignores my dig. “Whatever, Casey. Everyone knows the executives are offering you your own show. The question is, when are they going to realize you have the shelf life of a carton of cottage cheese?”
“Speaking of cottage cheese, you should really hit the gym, Fiona. Your dress is so short, I can see yours on the back of your legs. So sad for such a young girl,” Destiny says as she grabs my arm and steers me away, leaving Fiona self-consciously tugging at her dress.
“Thanks.” I hug Destiny. “I’ve never been so happy to see you.”
“You know I’ve always got your back.” She leans in. “So, people are talking. Is it true? They officially offered it to you?”
“Yes.”
Destiny lets out a squeal. “Oh my God, this is it. Finally. We’re getting what we’ve always wanted!” She throws her hand over her mouth. “Sorry, I forgot where we were for a minute.”
We’re getting what we’ve always wanted. It hadn’t occurred to me until now that this decision would affect more than just me, or Casey. Of course this is huge for Destiny. She’s been Casey’s assistant for over a decade. Just another reason I can’t screw this up.
She studies my face. “What’s wrong? Why don’t you seem excited?”
“I’m going to grab those drinks. Destiny, you want something?” Charlie asks.
“No, I’m good. I’m high on adrenaline right now!”
“I’m just taking it all in,” I say before Destiny can press further.
“Uh-huh. I know you. You’re never this quiet unless something is wrong. Does this have something to do with Charlie? I heard they are thinking about offering him the executive producer job.”
I try to hide my surprise. Why hadn’t he told me such huge news? “No, it’s not that.” I spot Fiona across the room glaring at me and whispering something to Dean. “It’s just Fiona. She gets to me when she makes comments about my age. What if she’s right? What if they realize I’m too old for this?”
Destiny crosses her arms over her chest.
“What?” I ask.
“I’m waiting for you to stop bullshitting and to start telling me what’s really going on here.”
CHAPTER 25
* * *
casey
They say it takes twenty-one days to create a habit. But as I bounce Charlotte on my hip outside the Santa Monica hotel we’ve chosen for John’s surprise party, I think it’s far less than that. In the time I’ve been Rachel, I’ve created so many new habits that I’m not quite sure how I’ll shake them if I ever get back to being myself. Like the way I’ve learned to feed Charlotte and make the girls’ lunches and John’s coffee all at the same time each morning. Or how my favorite part of the day is when Charlotte and I curl up on the couch and watch Yo Gabba Gabba together. Or how I sit on Audrey’s bed each evening while she models outfits for me. During these moments I wonder if I’ll ever be the same Casey Lee again.
I glance at my watch. Rachel texted me that she wanted to meet, but we still haven’t spoken since I hung up on her in New York. I wasn’t angry anymore, but for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to call her. Maybe I couldn’t bear to hear about all the success she was having, how incredible she was when she interviewed Daisy McKnight, how I couldn’t silence the little voice inside me that said I wouldn’t have been as good. There’s also the fact that being part of her real life and her real family has made me long for one of my own.
A town car pulls up and Rachel steps out wearing oversized sunglasses and holding her cell phone. She eyes me cautiously before pulling a small plastic bag from inside the latest Gucci satchel. The wardrobe department must have just gotten it in, I think as I adjust Charlotte’s diaper bag on my shoulder. “Peace offering,” she says as we make an exchange, the baby for the bag.
Tears fill her eyes as Charlotte grabs her face and laughs, clearly recognizing her mother, even though she has my face. “I’ve missed you so much, baby girl.” She squeezes her tighter.
I open the bag and discover my favorite facial cream and mask. “And I’ve missed you so much, my love,” I say as I caress the jar.
“I know how close you and your La Mer are. I thought you might be in withdrawal.”
“I was,” I say as I rub my cheek. “And no offense, but you could really use it!”