I’d had her dad pick out a new saddle and all the gear to match. He saved me a lot of money because he knew someone who made them.
“I can have Santa come take it back,” I said.
“No, that’s okay, but you really shouldn’t spend so much money. I love the sunglasses, by the way. They make me look like a high-fashion cowgirl. Roc said he’d take a picture of me riding with all my new stuff. He gave me a new cowboy hat, and Mom and Dad gave me clothes.”
“I can’t wait to see it. I miss you,” I said.
“Brook is ready to catch a flight to see you. Maybe I’ll tag along.”
“I’d like that.”
“Tell Halle she’d better be careful when she gets back.”
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“She sent us pictures of you in bed with Bandit. He’s a cutie, but it was the picture of your bare butt that made me horny. I was doing well until I saw that,” Zoe complained.
Brook was next.
“Santa is evil,” Brook answered, which made me laugh.
“Why’s that?” I asked.
I’d talked to Rita about the premiere of my movie and who I should take. My first inclination was to take Halle. But Rita said that the press was already linking the two of us, and we needed to let them know we were just friends. Going together to the premiere would connect us romantically. Pam was an obvious no; Rita said showing up with a pregnant girlfriend would be terrible publicity. Zoe was also eliminated because we thought she wasn’t ready to face the press. We ran through several faux dates, but Rita didn’t think any of them was right. She even shot down Hannah Minacci.
The logical choice was Brook. Her family had serious money, and she was used to going to charity and political events where there was press coverage. Rita called her mom, they had a long talk, and Ava finally agreed to let me ask Brook. I’d let Santa do my dirty work and had sent her an invitation, airline tickets, and instructions to get a dress. Her mom would send me the bill. Actually, when I called Adrienne, she said the dress would be free, as long as we let everyone know who she was wearing. Rita said she could get Brook jewelry to wear.
“Two weeks is not enough time to buy a dress and have it altered for an event like this,” she complained.
I guess she saw me roll my eyes through the phone.
“David! I’m serious!”
“Your mom is taking you to Chicago tomorrow. Adrienne has called ahead, and a dressmaker will create a custom gown for you for the event. You just have to wear a sign telling everyone who the designer is.”
“Dork.”
I snorted. Brook had actually resorted to name-calling.
She proceeded to explain how it wasn’t only the one dress, we had to get her something for the after-party as well. I surrendered; I had no idea about all this stuff. She started into a litany of needing shoes and matching purse. It sounded like she was just looking for a new wardrobe. I knew Brook had more expensive taste than Pam, so this could result in a significant cash outlay. Then again, I also remembered I would only have one first movie premiere, and I wanted Brook to look nice, so I relented.
Tracy was next on my list of people to call.
“Jerk.”
I broke out laughing. As a gag gift, I’d sent Tracy one of those pillboxes old people used to keep track of what they had to take each day.
“Mom said Santa brought it. You’ll feel bad when I get depressed.”
“Been there, done that. You need to figure out something new to torment me with,” I said.
“Thank you. Your other gift was very thoughtful. Pam will be surprised.”
I’d worried that Pam would get lost in everything this week, and might need her best friend with her. So, I’d arranged for Tracy to fly out with her and stay with Rita. I’ll admit I did it for selfish reasons as well; I missed Tracy. After talking to Tami, I’d almost changed my mind. I didn’t want Tami to feel slighted, but then I wasn’t going to be around all the time. Besides, I wanted Pam to enjoy herself this week. Tami’s mom hadn’t seen her very often, whereas Tom and Mary could probably use a vacation from their daughter. Tracy would be Pam’s plus-one at Devin and Cora’s wedding. I was sure the two of them would have a good time.
“I’m hoping you have fun too. The two of you can explore LA, and I might even get you up on a surfboard.”
“Pam said we’d take you to Sea World where you can pet the sharks in a controlled environment. She said your method had some flaws.”
“No shit. My bodyguard was actually shaking when he got out of the water. We decided we wouldn’t be going back to that beach ever again,” I proclaimed.
I heard her smartwatch beep.
“Oh, and I’m going to kill you. She’s practicing sending text messages with her new watch,” Tracy said.
I knew she was talking about Pam. It was good Tracy was her guinea pig and not me. Seems to me I had the same issue with some girl named Tracy when she got her smartwatch. Karma was a bitch.
