Brook was a good sport. Misaki, my adoptive big sister, had clued me in that they sent their pictures to fans back in Japan. I suspected they were paid to do so. I’d also experienced Haru’s blatant use of me to get coverage by the paparazzi in Tokyo. She mustn’t have the same contacts here because we hadn’t been swarmed when we came to lunch.
Lunch was enjoyable, but I felt it was a little pricey. I think Haru put it best when she described it as ‘trendy, but not pretentious or obnoxious.’
Before we left, I was confirmed as a new member. Brook was impressed because she said her grandma had to go through a whole process to get approved. I think they understood that the under-27 crowd wasn’t up for all that.
The club in West Hollywood had much more star power, though we did spot a couple of celebs. The West Hollywood location was one of the go-to places for power lunches or wanting to be seen. Malibu was more laid back.
◊◊◊
Trip and I were kicking back, shooting the shit while everyone scurried around to get ready for the TV special.
“How are you and Teresa doing?” I asked.
The way he lit up told me everything. This new relationship was a big deal from the way he got nervous when he realized I’d spotted his excitement.
“She’s coming over to the beach house after this is over.”
“Plan to finally seal the deal?” I asked to give him shit.
The way he looked was worth it. The poor guy was smitten—if that was even a word used nowadays.
“Up yours with a hairbrush,” was his witty comeback.
“Trip!”
Both our heads snapped around as only a mother can get you to do. Rita glared at the two of us.
“He was being a dick,” Trip said, and then cringed when he realized he’d only made it worse.
“I really was,” I said to help defuse the situation.
She ignored his slip and crooked her finger at us in the universal ‘come with me’ sign.
“I need you two to come greet our guests for tonight. At David’s request,” she said, with an emphasis on my name, “I invited families from the Air Force Space Command, here in Los Angeles, to be in our audience.”
My inner geek took notice. Cool! I think every kid wanted to be an astronaut at some point. I realized they probably had more to do with satellites and the like, but it was still cool.
We found they had a reception set up in the lobby for the families, who were being bused in from the base. I smirked when I saw Birthrite in their elf costumes. They had stacks of presents with the child’s name on each one and a note from Santa. Trip and I were put in charge of greeting and then directing everyone where they needed to go to find their gift. Halle and Pree were assigned to help our elves. Some of the other cast would help greet as well. Rita had come up with a winning idea.
I looked out and saw an Air Force bus come to a stop out front.
“The first bus is here!” I announced to get everyone’s attention.
Manaia suddenly appeared from wherever he’d been, and I spotted Fritz near Halle so they could keep an eye on things. I seriously doubted that there would be trouble. Then I glanced over at Trip and bet that he hadn’t expected any trouble when they all hit the nightclub in Orlando, either.
As the first bus began to unload, I wondered if someone had loaded the kids up with sugar before they came. They seemed a tad overexcited when they saw our elves and presents. Greeting everyone flew out the window at that point. No bothered to get directions.
Manaia, Trip, and I stood back and took it all in.
“That one’s hot,” Manaia observed as he tilted his chin towards one of the mothers.
I loved that he was willing to call out a hot chick, but, ‘Dude, seriously?’ I guess Trip’s and my disbelief at his inappropriate comment must have been written all over our faces. Manaia wasn’t fazed in the least—something else I liked about him.
“Come on,” he complained. “Just look at her. She’s constructed like a masonry outdoor restroom facility.”
Trip’s eyebrows pursed together in confusion. Then he almost fell over laughing when he recognized my security’s child-friendly version of ‘built like a brick shithouse.’ I’ll admit, I was chuckling myself. It took Trip a moment to compose himself before he could respond.
“When David leaves, I want you to be my security.”
“He talks a good game, but I can never get him to take one for the team. We can be out, and a girl I’m interested in is with her ‘friend,’” I said with air quotes. “And he refuses to help get rid of the friend so I can do my thing.”
“I thought you were off the market?” Trip asked.
“Just sayin’,” I said, seeing this hadn’t gone quite as I’d planned.
Manaia pointed. Another bus was pulling up. We just stood back and let the chaos ensue.
◊◊◊
