Evelyn was still asleep when London got out of the shower the next morning. She was happy to see that—her mother pushed herself to the point of exhaustion and needed her rest. She had promised to come to the elimination that evening, and London was glad. While she had tried not to show too much emotion about this whole thing, she cared about the outcome an awful lot, and she wanted someone to be there, either to celebrate with her or to take her out for condolence chocolate cake.
Her phone rang while she was putting on her makeup. “Hey, Amber,” she said when she answered. “What’s up out there in the boondocks?”
“I don’t live in the boondocks. It’s Idaho—there’s a difference.”
“I don’t know. I’ve been there, remember? Short trip Mom and I made to size up your man? There’s not a decent shopping mall for miles. That means the boondocks to me.”
“Whatever. So, I wanted to call and wish you luck. First elimination is tonight, right?”
“Yeah. How’d you know?”
“Mom emailed me your schedule. Glad she did—now I can be crossing my fingers for you at all the right times.”
“Do you want to cross them for me in about half an hour?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
London paused and set down her powder brush. “Do you remember me telling you about Kade Smith?”
“The quarterback?”
“Yeah. And my high school bully.”
“I didn’t realize it was the same guy. Isn’t he also one of the judges there this weekend? That’s what Mom was telling me in her email. Need me to come down there and pummel him for you?”
“No, I can do my own pummeling. I just don’t know if I need to or not. He’s asked me to spend some time with him today, and I don’t know why. Chelsea’s here, and she says he has the hots for me. But I keep remembering all the horrible stuff he did to me in high school, and I don’t know . . . I think he’s up to something.”
“So why aren’t you staying far, far away from him?”
“Because I want to beat him at his own game.”
Amber was quiet for a moment. Then she said, “Are you sure you aren’t flirting with him?”
London almost dropped her phone. “Flirting with him? Why on earth would I be flirting with Kade Smith?”
“Well, I’ve seen his picture, and unless all this fresh Idaho air has addled my brain somehow—which I don’t think it could, because it’s supposed to have the opposite effect—the man is gorgeous.”
“There’s more to a person than just looks,” London retorted.
“Of course. But looks do count for something.” Amber paused again. “Listen, sis. I don’t want you to get hurt, okay? If you really think he’s up to something, why not cancel? Is it worth a few laughs to risk getting yourself enmeshed in this guy’s craziness again? I mean, you’ve got a lot to be thinking about right now, like winning that scholarship.”
“You’re right.” Amber was right a lot. It was one of those things that just annoyed London to pieces. But then again, it was one of the perks of having an older sister, someone who could navigate the rough waters before she sailed on them and give her a map.
“Well, I’ve got to go. My first case as a lawyer here in Idaho, and I need to meet with my client. Call me tonight and let me know how it went, okay?”
“Okay. And thanks, Amber.”
“Any time.”
London hung up and then studied the phone in her hand. Should she text Kade and tell him she changed her mind? Or should she keep her promise?
She tapped on her Facebook icon. She needed to update her “fans,” such as they were, about the pageant and how she was enjoying her experience—all the things she had to do for publicity. She was surprised to see Kade Smith mentioned several times in her newsfeed, and she scrolled down until she found a link to an actual news article and not just a bunch of squealing over how awesome he was.
Wow. He’d apprehended a mugger? Last night? Huh. That was pretty cool. After she got the facts, she went back to reading her friends’ comments—they made a lot more sense now. There were a few marriage proposals thrown his way mixed in with the congratulations and whatnot—hmm. He’d definitely gotten the attention of the female demographic with that little adventure.
She had to see him if for no other reason than to tease him about this mercilessly.
Digging around in the closet, she found a knee-length purple dress she thought would be just right for a morning in Atlanta with a famous football player, then grabbed her low-heeled black sandals. A chunky necklace finished things off, and she was ready to go.
And definitely ready to go make Kade Smith’s life a little miserable.
***
When she stepped off the elevator, she spotted Kade immediately. He was leaning up against a pillar, wearing a T-shirt that read “I love Atlanta”—but the “love” was a giant red heart.
“Showing some town spirit?” she asked, nodding toward his chest.
“This was all the gift shop had, and I can’t go home for more clothes right now,” he replied. “Are you hungry?”
“I am. Are you feeding me?”
“I am.” He held out his elbow. Intrigued, she took it, and he led her over to the restaurant in the lobby.
“So, why can’t you go home?” she asked, even though she had a suspicion. All that buzz online was probably messing up his private life.
“Uh, television cameras,” he said, the tips of his ears growing red. “So, I’ve heard they make great breakfast food here.”
“Oh? Where did you hear that?”
“From the registration desk. Why? Is it not true?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t tried it yet. I just trust some recommendations more than others.” She picked up her menu. “Looks like they have a good variety.”
He picked up his as well. “You’re right. They do.”
“And I can’t help but wonder which one you’ll choose out of so many.”
“I’ll probably go with the Sunrise Breakfast Platter.”
“That looks good, but I wasn’t talking about food.” She set down her menu and pinned him with a look. “I was talking about all the marriage proposals you’ve been getting since last night. Are you just loving all the attention?”
“Actually, I’m not,” he said, his voice lowered. “I really can’t wait until it dies down.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, come on. I remember how you are—catcalling during assemblies, kissing the cheerleaders during games. You love it when everyone’s watching you.”
He looked down at the table. “That was a long time ago. Almost like a different person.”
The waitress came by just then, and they each ordered the Sunrise Breakfast Platter with orange juice. “Please make sure her food isn’t touching,” Kade said, giving London a wink.
Once the girl was out of earshot, London said, “I don’t get it. You’re the guy who ran alongside the team float in the Fourth of July parade giving high fives to everyone on the sidelines. You’re telling me that now, you’re not so crazy about the limelight?”
“It’s not easy, London. There’s no privacy, no chance to be a regular person. I’m sure you know that—you’ve won some titles and people know who you are.”
London thought about that for a second. It was true—she’d had a few awkward moments when someone got a little too close or felt like they knew her well enough to come knocking on her front door. But she’d never been trending on social media, and she’d never had television cameras parked outside her house. She’d never been worried about going home.
“So . . . really? You’re not an attention hog anymore? I’m having a hard time picturing that. I mean, you were so . . . well, how do I put it . . .?”
“I was a jerk,” he finished for her. “A real jerk. And I’m not proud of it, London. That’s why I’m glad you came out with me this morning—so I could live it down a little.”
“We’re not out yet,” she said. “We’re still in the hotel.”
He grinned. “You’re right. Where would you like to go next? I have to be back here at two, but I’m yours until then.”
Hers, huh? Well now . . . He seemed sincere. The humility, the apology—she might have been willing to believe him if it wasn’t for the fact that he’d been so very comfortable with his jerkitude in high school. She didn’t think it was possible to have such a total change of heart in only four years. Things like that usually required heavy medication and some shock therapy.
“I don’t know. Where would you like to go?”
“Well, to be honest, I need to hit a men’s clothing store.” He pointed to his shirt. “This thing is okay for now, but I can’t see myself coming to the eliminations tonight like this. Mrs. Fitzpatrick would have my head, and she already doesn’t think too highly of me.”
London tried to smother a giggle, but it didn’t work. “I happen to like your shirt,” she said. “It shows a certain lack of snobbery. I mean, anyone who would wear that in public—who wasn’t a tourist—must be pretty down to earth.”
“There’s down to earth, and then there’s unprofessional. It’s the unprofessional thing I’m trying to avoid.”
“Then we’ll go clothes shopping.” London looked up and said thank you as the waitress slid their plates in front of them. “What else should we do?”
“Really doesn’t matter to me. I just want to spend some time getting to know you better.”
Even more suspicious. Hmm. “There is one thing I’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t done yet,” she said. “I’d like to visit the Wren’s Nest.”
He gave her an exaggerated look of shock. “You’ve never been there? And you call yourself a native Altanta-ite?”
“That’s not a word, so of course I don’t call myself that. But no, I’ve never been.”
“Then we’re going.”
“Good. I want to.”
Kade pulled out his phone and punched some buttons. “Just need to see when they’re open . . . We’re in luck. They open at ten. Oh, but they only have storytellers on Saturdays . . . unless you make an appointment.” He grinned. “Hold on a second.”
London sipped her orange juice as he placed a call. “Hello? Good morning. My name is Kade Smith. Yes, the football player. Um, no, not Superman, but yes, the one from the news. Hey, I saw that storytellers are available if we make an appointment. You can? Awesome. How about ten thirty? You’re great. Of course I will. See you in a while. Thanks.” He hung up and looked at London triumphantly. “There ya go. We’ll have a storyteller.”
“So, you don’t like being a celebrity, but you’ll use it when it pays you to do so, eh?” she asked.
“In this case, yes. And I think you’re trying to bait me, Miss Russell. Mind if I ask why?”
“Um . . .” She took a bite of her eggs, thinking furiously. “I just want to see if you’re sincere about being a changed man,” she said at last. No reason not to be honest. “I seem to recall you playing lots of practical jokes on me, and if we’re going to be together for the next few hours, I ought to feel safe, don’t you think?”
“You are completely entitled to feeling safe,” Kade said. “And I promise, you’re absolutely safe with me. I will play no practical jokes on you.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Hmm. That’s almost disappointing.” She chewed a bite of hash browns, contemplating him. “If you’re not playing tricks on me, maybe you won’t be any fun.”
“Well, we’ll see. Maybe there are ways to have fun that don’t involve embarrassing you.”
“I would love to find out,” she replied.