“I’m the fashion coach here.” My stylist puts her hands on her hips. “You’re the student!”
“Want me to check out the situation ‘down there’?” Carrie asks.
I stiffen. “I think we’ve done enough for today.”
“You’re the boss.”
“I’m gonna hit the road; I have some shopping to do.”
“That’s the spirit!” Becca strikes a warrior pose. “Go forth and be hot!”
I laugh. “Have a great day, girls. And thank you for everything.”
On my way to the mall, I can’t help but check myself out in every window I pass. It’s going to take time to get used to it, but I’m pretty pleased with the result.
I spend sixty bucks on sportswear and another thirty at the grocery store. I’m starving, and the food stuffed into my bags isn’t exactly the kind of thing to get a girl’s mouth watering, but where there’s a will, there’s a way—I guess.
I stop to catch my breath at the door to Lane’s building, placing my bags down by my feet to rest my sore arms. When I get to Kirk’s floor, I take my sweet time, desperately hoping to bump into him, listening closely as I walk past his door. I don’t stop.
By the time I reach the fifth floor, I’m dying. And I’m praying that Lane is still home, too, because I’ve only just remembered something pretty important: I don’t have keys to his place. I press my elbow down on the handle and thank my lucky stars when it gives way and the door swings open. I’m so relieved to have made it inside that it takes me a second to notice the five pairs of eyes swiveling to stare at me.
“Hey… guys.”
Carter and the four Campus Drivers are gathered in the living room. None of them have said a word. They’re all sitting there staringlike the devil himself just stepped through the door, and it takes Lewis a moment to break the silence.
“Who are you, ma’am?”
That’s when it clicks. They’ve been stunned into silence by my makeover. The blood rushes to my cheeks.
“D-don’t mind me,” I stammer as I lunge for the fridge. “I’ll be right out of your way.”
I can hear them whispering, and it makes me want to disappear into the fridge somewhere between the burgers and the beers. I stuff my supplies into the crisper and hover behind the fridge door.
I sneak a glance over at them. They’re still watching me.
“Anyone want a beer?” I say, my voice a bit squeaky.
Adam smiles. “Me! Come join us, I’ll scoot over.”
“No, don’t worry, I’ve got plans.” I grab a chilled bottle and hold it out to him, stretching my arm as far as it will go.
“You look really good,” he says, bringing the bottle to his lips.
“Oh… Thanks.”
“I’ve got a feeling Dexter Drake will be heading back to LA as soon as he can,” Donovan says, elbowing Lewis.
I frown and step back, confused.
“You don’t do things by halves, Heartbreak.”
Lane’s telltale deep, snarky voice. I should never have let the booze loosen my lips the way it did last night. I hate that now he knows what he does about me, and I can’t decide how to reply. I’m overwhelmed by a desperate urge to get the hell out of here.
I shuffle back to the plastic bag I left in the hall, dart into the bathroom, and lock the door. I need to ditch my old clothes and change into the brand-new sportswear I’ve just bought myself, and I need to dig deep for the courage to walk back out there past the guys without looking like I’m running away.
You know what? Fuck ’em!I wiggle my toes in my shiny new sneakers, take a deep breath in, and swing the door open, primed to sprint straight past them.
Bam.
