Chapter 18
Alex couldn’t take her eyes off the frenzy in the Coconuts parking lot.
Suzy sipped her merlot. “We’ll find out soon enough. My money’s still on a Branson entertainer.”
A wide-eyed Hope leaned around Alex. “It certainly isn’t any of my students from Hilltop—unless it’s already prom season and I missed it.” She sighed. “I’ve never ridden in a limo.”
Suzy patted her arm. “You will one day, honey.”
Soon a wide-shouldered, uniformed driver in a black suit, dark sunglasses, with a buzz cut, walked around the car toward the passenger side.
Alex sat up even straighter. “He’s hot.”
“Uh, remember the cop? Aren’t you taken?” Hope asked.
“I think. I guess.” Alex shrugged. “Shh. Let’s watch.” Before peering back at the limo driver, Alex noticed Suzy and Hope exchanged looks. She frowned. “Hey, I can look, can’t I?” She studied the young, possibly late twenty-something driver. “I can’t wait to see who’s in the car. I wish he or she would hurry up and get out.”
Hope’s eyes widened. “I bet it’s a celebrity. A celebrity at Coconuts.”
Alex wrinkled her nose. “What celebrity would come to Coconuts—or to Crystal City for that matter? We’re small potatoes.”
Hope shrugged. “It’s a nice place.”
“Very nice,” Suzy added.
Gus reappeared in time to hear Alex’s comment about Coconuts. His face fell.
“Sorry, Gus. No offense but Coconuts isn’t exactly The Ritz. I—we—obviously love it here, but you surely understand what I meant.” Sorry she had hurt their favorite server’s feelings, Alex fidgeted with her napkin and placed her silverware on her skirt so it wouldn’t touch the germy table.
Suzy patted Gus on the arm. “Limos aren’t that big of a deal. My brides ride in them all of the time. How about some menus, Gus?”
“Sure thing. A refill on the drinks?”
Hope nodded. “Yup. Another margarita for me. This looks like a people-watching night.”
Alex bobbed her head in agreement but stayed fixated on the commotion outside. Soon, the well-built, uniformed man with the tight black pants opened the back door. Alex scrutinized every detail of the scene as if she had to memorize it for a test.
Finally, a toned, tanned leg appeared beneath the door. Red stilettos peeked underneath the shiny, black exterior.
Alex rubbed her hands together. “This is going to be good.”
Out of nowhere, paparazzi appeared. Men and a few women jumped out of the bushes with long camera lenses. A flurry of blinding lights surrounded the woman as she attempted to exit the vehicle. Her driver held up his arm in an obvious attempt to give her protection and block the photographers.
“Who could this be? Do you think someone is shooting a movie in Crystal City that we don’t know about? And, if so, why didn’t they cast us?” Alex absentmindedly fluffed her hair and reapplied lipstick, never taking her eyes off the image before them. As she sat transfixed, Suzy and Hope seemed to be losing interest as they munched on the chips and salsa.
Hope glopped a healthy amount of salsa onto her chip. “Why does everyone have a glamorous life except me? When will it be my turn?”
Suzy winced. “You’ve had it rough, honey. After your parents were killed in that awful train accident, I didn’t know when we’d get our Hope back, but you pulled through with flying colors, stronger than ever. And you connected with your wonderful biological father. That was a bonus. Your students love you. We love you. That’s all that matters, right? Limos don’t matter.”
Hope managed a smile. “You’re right. No more pity parties. I am back thanks to you two, Paul, and my students, but still, a flashy limo would be nice—just once.” She wiped her mouth and turned toward the flurry of activity.
“Aren’t you going to eat, Alex?” Suzy asked.
Without turning her head away from the window, Alex reached across, felt for a chip, and plunked it in the salsa in one fell swoop. She repeated the action while never taking her eyes off the limo and nearly tipped her chardonnay over yet again. It teetered but she steadied the wineglass before it landed in her lap.
Hope laughed. “Good save. That would have been all over me.”
Alex turned back to the front entrance. “I see an arm. Any bets on who this is?”
“No idea,” Suzy and Hope both said in unison.
Soon a gorgeous young woman with long, silky blonde hair stepped out. A clingy, red dress hugged her petite body. She stood with confidence in towering, red heels featuring designer red soles. The newcomer smiled and posed as the photographers clicked photo after photo.
“Damn,” Alex said. “Those camera flashes must be blinding.”
The threesome watched as the young woman shielded her eyes with her arm. When the photographers shoved their long lenses in her face, she took a step back and faltered. Her driver offered his arm and steadied her. Flash after flash continued as if it were the Fourth of July. The stylish woman reached into her clutch purse and donned sunglasses even though the sun was just beginning to set.
Alex blew out her breath. “Wow. She’s drop-dead gorgeous. Great. More competition. Do either of you recognize her?”
“She is stunning.” Suzy drummed her fingers on the table. “She looks familiar. I think I’ve seen her photo before. Suzy studied the stranger. Her name is on the tip of my tongue. I saw her—or someone who looked like her—when I scanned celebrity weddings for one of my brides. She took another sip of wine. “It’ll come to me.”
Hope shook her head. “I don’t have any idea who she is but she looks like a movie star.”
“Yeah, lucky us.” Alex couldn’t hide her jealousy.
Suzy brightened. “Now I remember. I believe that’s Cheri Van Buren. I’ve seen her in the New York society pages several times. I believe she has also been in People or Us magazine.”
Hope shrugged. “Doesn’t ring a bell but why would it?” She chuckled. “I’m probably the only person on earth who has never heard of Cheri Van Buren. She sounds rich with that last name. She looks rich too.”
Alex splayed her hands on the round, high-top table as she leaned toward Suzy. “You mean that’s the Cheri Van Buren, the multi-millionaire from New York City?”
Suzy nodded. “I’m pretty sure. If so, she and her parents are filthy rich. She owns Fifth Avenue Catering and has catered some amazing events and weddings in the northeast.” Now fascinated by the newcomer, she said, “I’ve followed her catering website to get ideas for my brides. Of course, I’d have to scale any extravagant parties of hers down tremendously for my weddings. Way down.”
Alex put her finger on her lips. “Wait a minute. I think she was on Rachel Ray or possibly a contestant on Celebrity Chopped.” Alex groaned. “She’s gorgeous and talented. I hate her.”
“Me too,” Hope said. “She’s way out of my league. I’m not even in the same hemisphere.”
“Jealous much, silly girls?” Suzy teased as they sat riveted while the stranger entered Coconuts.