Premiere by Melody Carlson

Author:Melody Carlson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780310426677
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2010-07-22T22:22:17.826000+00:00

Chapter 11

“Good news,” Paige announces on New Year’s Day.

I look up from my Cheerios and brace myself.

“We’re invited to Mia’s birthday party on Saturday.”

“Yeah, right.” I stick my spoon in my cereal and shake my head.

“It’s a surprise party,” Paige continues.

“Yes, I’m sure Mia will be surprised if we show up. Try shocked, stunned, and speechless as she reaches for her pepper spray.”

“Why should Mia act like that?” Mom’s in the kitchen now, pouring herself some coffee.

“Because Paige is trying to steal her boyfriend,” I say under my breath.

“Erin!” Paige gives me a wounded expression.

“Oh?” Mom looks curious.

“I’m not trying to steal him,” Paige defends herself. “I can’t help it if Benjamin likes me. Or even if I like him.”

Mom looks at me. “So why would you accuse Paige of stealing Mia’s boyfriend?”

I look down at my Cheerios, pressing my lips together. Really, why not just keep my mouth shut? Except that I was kind of under the impression that part of my job on the show was to help keep my sister from self-destructing.

“Erin?” Mom is waiting.

I look at Paige, who is giving me the evil eye—and suddenly I don’t really care. “Benjamin is still seeing Mia,” I say quietly. “It might just be me, but it seems kind of unethical to move in on a guy while he’s still with someone else.”

Mom frowns like she doesn’t know how to respond.

“I’m not moving in on anyone.” Paige holds her head high.

“That’s probably not how Mia sees it,” I say to her. “She seemed pretty mad at you last night. And not just because you criticized her dress either. She seemed pretty certain you were moving in on Benjamin too.”

“Mia’s just like that,” Paige says lightly. “A little drama queen. If you ever watched Malibu Beach, you would know this.”

“Right.” I roll my eyes. “Well, her act was convincing, because I think if she’d had a gun in her hand it would’ve been pointed at your head.”

“And this girl has invited you to her birthday party?” Mom looks understandably confused.

“I said it’s a surprise party.” Paige is getting irate. “Mia isn’t the one doing the inviting.”

“Who is?” I ask.

“I’m not sure.”

“Her boyfriend perhaps?” I venture.

“Look, the invitation came by way of Fran. Someone emailed her. Probably Rod Spencer.”

“The director of Malibu Beach?” Mom asks with mild interest.

“Maybe…” Paige frowns at me like I just rained on her parade.

“So is this a working gig?” I ask.

“It’s publicity, Erin,” she tells me with exasperation.

“It’s a setup.” I finish the last bite of Cheerios, then take my bowl to the sink. “Do you know that they deliberately cast more girls on that show than guys?” I say to Mom. “Just so there’ll be competition amongst the girls?”

Mom makes a small chuckle. “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.”

“But it’s not right.” I run water in my bowl. “And I’ll bet the only reason Rod Spencer is inviting us to Mia’s party is to stir things up. He probably wants Paige and Mia to get into a great big hair-pulling catfight.

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