Page 63 of How to Kiss a Movie Star
Her eyes lift to me. “Captain Salano already spoiled it, but she doesn’t know what we’re doing yet.”
Theonlything that distracted me away from asking about New York was Olivia calling Flint, but now the question is practically burning a hole in my tongue.
“Go ahead and tell her,” Flint says. “She doesn’t like surprises.” Olivia’s eyes jump to mine, and my heart squeezes,again,at Flint’s efforts to be thoughtful, to remember what I told him. “I gotta jet,” Flint says. “My meeting is about to start, but you guys take care of her, all right? Hey, Audrey?”
All eyes swivel to me. “Yes?” I say, proud of hownot croakymy voice sounds.
“Try to have a good time, okay?”
I bite my lip. “I’ll do my best.”
As soon as Olivia’s call disconnects, the sisters erupt in a round of gasps and sighs and squeals. “Girl,” Kate says, gently shoving my arm. “What have you done to him?”
The more important question:What is he doing to me?
“So, do you want to know why we’re going to New York?” Lila asks.
Olivia tosses a credit card onto the table. I lean forward and see Flint’s name stamped onto the top of the card. “Brace yourself, Audrey,” Olivia says. “We’re going shopping.”
Chapter Seventeen
Audrey
Theflightpassesquickly.
Tooquickly, if I’m being totally honest.
Apparently, I’m supposed to get a whole new wardrobe, one fit for the red carpet and every other event I’ll be attending with Flint.
Shopping has always been more of a utilitarian experience than an exciting one for me, so all this feelsveryoverwhelming. At this point, the only thing keeping me together is the fact that Flint’s sisters are all so happy to be here. To spend the day focusing onme.
If I can get past the discomfort of being the center of attention, this might end up being the perfect shopping scenario. There are four other women here who clearly know how to put together an outfit, and I’m positive they’ll all be willing to give me their opinions. If I’m lucky, they’ll just make all the decisions for me.
Tatum, Lennox’s wife, drops into a chair next to me. Before she can say anything, Captain Salano’s deep voice comes through the overhead speaker announcing our final descent.
“How are you feeling?” Tatum asks.
“A little overwhelmed? I’ve never been to New York.”
“It’s a lot,” she says. She reaches down and buckles her seatbelt. “Well, itcanbe a lot. But it can be great, too. And the shopping is next level.”
“I wouldn’t even have anything to compare it to. I’m very practical when it comes to my clothes. The only dress I own is the one I wore under my graduation robes when I finished my PhD. And I only bought that one because my sisters made me.”
She raises her eyebrows, but there’s no judgment in her expression—just surprise. “Sounds like you’re long overdue.” She studies me for a second before she adds, “You know, Flint wasreallyexcited about doing this for you today.”
I wave away her comment, ignoring the heat climbing up my cheeks. “Believe me, it’s only out of desperation. He’s seen the clothes I show up in every day. It’s nothing fancy enough to ever wear into public with him.”
“I doubt that’sallthis is about. If it were just about the clothes, he could have had a wardrobe hand-picked and shipped to Silver Creek.” She grins. “I think he wants you to have fun.”
I shake my head and lift my hands to my cheeks. “What is even happening, Tatum? What am I doing here?”
“All I know is Flint’s instructions were to spare no expense. So whatever is happening, it’s going to be amazing.”
Ten minutes later, we’re on the ground at LaGuardia walking across the tarmac from the plane to an awaiting helicopter. From there, we fly into the heart of New York City, land on the roof of a building I couldn’t identify again if I had to, then ride an elevator down to street level before Olivia takes charge and ushers us into what I think is a Bloomingdales.
And that’s when the whirlwind begins.
I don’t know how to shop, but Flint’s sistersdefinitelyknow. We start with the more casual things I’ll wear when I’mnoton the red carpet. Jeans. High-waisted pants that miraculously make my waist look tiny and my butt look better than I’ve ever seen it. And shirts that feel like regular T-shirts but are made of lighter, nicer fabric and look so much better. They keep their selections practical, picking out stuff I might actually wear even when I’mnotposing as Flint’s fake girlfriend.
