Rich Girls Page 6

  So this is what Cinderella felt like, she thought. I bet she threw up in that pumpkin before she made her entrance.

  The door opened. Liz was hit by a wave of sound. Parker didn’t warn me about the noise! The shouting of the crowd was deafening.

  “This way!”

  “Look here!”

  “Parker Devlin!” a photographer screamed. “WHO’S YOUR DATE?”

  “You don’t have to say anything to them,” Parker told Liz. “Hold on to me and keep walking.” He slipped her arm through his.

  Please don’t let me trip, Liz thought.

  They walked slowly along the red carpet, flashes flashing, digital cameras clicking, video cameras shoved at them.

  “WHOSE DRESS IS THAT?” shouted a woman with a microphone.

  Oh, my God, Liz thought. They know I’m wearing borrowed clothes.

  For a moment she froze. Parker patted her hand and smiled. She took in a breath and remembered that “Whose dress is that?” actually translates as “Who designed that?”

  Of course, by the time Liz figured this out, she and Parker had made their way farther down the carpet and the paparazzi were hurling questions at the next well-dressed victims.

  Inside the lobby, Liz couldn’t stop blinking, trying to get the spots out of her eyes from all the flashes.

  “How do celebrities handle it?” Liz asked. “It’s insane out there.”

  “You did great,” Parker assured her. “And you looked great, too.”

  Liz gave him a slow, sexy smile. “You, too.”

  “Yeah?” Parker stepped in closer to her. He slid his hand around her waist. “So you like the formal me? And I thought you were such a down-to-earth kind of girl.”

  “Oh, I am,” Liz said, fingering the lapels of his Armani tux. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the high life, too.”

  Parker pressed himself against her. “And I’ve been trained all my life to know quality when I see it.” He leaned his face toward her for a kiss, when his eyes suddenly flicked away and over her head.

  “Is something wrong?” Liz asked.

  “Nah,” Parker said. “Just spotted some people I know from Palm Beach.” He took her hand and led her toward the door. “Let’s go find our seats.”

  They took the elevators up to the main floor and walked through the velvet-walled theater with its crystal chandeliers. The usher showed them to their seats.

  Well, tried to. Every few feet they had to stop so Parker could say hello to people whose faces Liz knew from fashion pages, gossip columns, and Teen People.

  “Oh, hi, Parker,” a glamorous blond girl said as Liz and Parker tried to get around her. The girl gave Parker a quick kiss on the cheek, but her voice was frosty. Liz tried to stop staring: She recognized the girl from the tabloids. She was a socialite who made Cameron look tame.

  “Bella,” Parker said. “Beautiful as always.” He didn’t sound very friendly.

  Bella looked at Liz. “I wish you luck,” she said, then walked back up the aisle.

  “Don’t pay any attention to her,” Parker said. “We used to go out, and let’s just say it wasn’t an amiable breakup.”

  Parker and Bella? He runs in even faster crowds than I realized.

  Two guys wearing super baggy pants and backward baseball caps suddenly appeared and pounded Parker on the back. Liz knew them as on-the-rise hip-hop stars. I guess if you’re rich and famous enough you can wear denim to even the most formal events.

  “Parker!” they hollered. They gave Liz very approving looks.

  “What up, son! Who’s your girl?” the tall one asked.

  Liz blushed as Parker introduced her. “You take good care of her,” the shorter one said. “She’s choice.”

  “I know,” Parker said, putting his hand around her waist and guiding her down the aisle again. This time, a skinny, dark-haired beauty blocked their path.

  “Parker,” she said, her eyes completely unfocused. “You having fun? I’m having fun.”

  She’s on something, Liz realized.

  “I think you’re having a little too much fun, Cynthia,” Parker said, trying to guide Liz past her.

  Cynthia laughed. “Don’t be that way,” she said, giggling. “You weren’t that way in Palm Beach. See you in Aspen, sweetie.” She stumbled, and Parker smoothly maneuvered around her.

  Finally, they made it to their seats, where they were surrounded by movie, music, and TV stars. Parker introduced Liz to Drew Barrymore, two actors from The O.C., a couple of older actors Liz recognized from the soaps, and some of Parker’s parents’ friends. They all greeted Liz warmly—probably because of how proud Parker seemed to be having her as his date. Liz felt like a fairy-tale princess.

  “Another?” Parker gestured to Liz’s empty apple martini glass.

  Liz shook her head no. The hors d’oeuvres being passed around by black-clad waiters were delicious but not very substantial. Another drink would make her completely giddy.

  The after-party for the movie premiere was being held at an astonishing Asian restaurant, complete with a two-story statue of Buddha sitting placidly in front of an equally impressive waterfall. What thrilled Liz the most was that, instead of intimidating her, the black lacquer interior, the low lighting, and the beautiful people all around her made Liz feel elegant and sophisticated. As if she fit in. She owed a lot of her ease to Parker. Parker was charming and attentive.

  Well, mostly.

  Parker grimaced as he pulled his cell from his pocket for the third time since they arrived. “Sorry, gotta take this,” he said. He left the table and disappeared into the crowd.

  A waiter came by and cleared Liz’s empty glass. “You know,” she said, “I think I’ll have another one.”

  The waiter nodded, and a pale green drink appeared in front of her moments later. Still no Parker.

  Where is he? Liz wondered. Who keeps calling him? She took a sip of her icy cold apple martini. Stay cool, she told herself. Guys hate clingy, possessive, jealous girls.

  “Hey, sorry.” Parker slid back into his seat beside her. “I hate these phone calls.”

  “Who’s bugging you?” Liz asked, snagging a sushi roll from a passing waiter.

  “No one,” he said, reaching for her hand. “No one who matters.”

  Liz quickly dropped the sushi onto a napkin. It would be hard to be romantic with raw fish in her hands.

  Parker brushed her hand with his lips. “Have you had enough here? The party is winding down.”

  “I should probably be heading home,” Liz admitted.

  “Okay,” Parker said, “but there’s one last surprise planned.”

  “Parker,” Liz protested. “What else could you do?”

  “You’ll see,” he said with a mischievous grin.

  They left the restaurant, and walked a few blocks to the edge of Central Park. Parker led Liz to a glossy black carriage, drawn by a white horse. “Your chariot awaits,” Parker announced.

  “You are not serious,” Liz said.

  “I certainly am.” He grinned. “Get in.”

  Liz climbed up into the rocking carriage, much harder to accomplish in her stiletto-heeled eight-hundred-dollar shoes than she had expected. She narrowly avoided snapping her ankle as she clumsily plopped onto the leather seat.

  Her nose wrinkled. The very strong scent of horse manure and animal perspiration wafted toward her. I hope that smell doesn’t attach itself permanently to this dress, she worried.

  Parker sat down beside her. “Once around the park and then home!” he instructed the driver.

  “We don’t go around the whole park at night,” the driver said. “And I can’t take you farther than six blocks from it. You’ll have to catch a cab home, kid.”

  Parker laughed. “I guess I should have checked before I dismissed my driver.”

  “A cab home is fine,” Liz said.

  “Well, how about around the lake and back, then?” Parker asked.

  “That, I can do.” The dr
iver flicked the reins, setting the rocking carriage in soft motion.

  The smell was less strong as they entered the park—probably, Liz realized, because they were no longer parked right over the manure!

  The stars twinkled in the midnight blue sky. Liz shivered in her light dress.

  “Cold?” Parker asked, putting his arm around her and pulling her close.

  “Parker,” Liz said, “I don’t know how to thank you. Tonight was amazing. The premiere, the restaurant—”

  “Liz,” Parker held a finger up to her lips, silencing her. “I go to things like this all the time, and they’ve never been fun before. Not till tonight.” He leaned forward and kissed her lips.

  Liz leaned against the high back of the carriage, feeling Parker’s weight press against her, his kisses more and more passionate, more urgent. Liz wrapped her arms around him, matching him kiss for kiss. She’d never felt this turned on before, this desired. She’d never wanted a guy the way she wanted Parker.

  Suddenly, there was a start.

  The carriage lurched forward and began swaying madly. Parker and Liz rolled apart and wham! Liz slammed onto the carriage floor.

  My dress! Liz thought in a panic. Even worse—I’m sprawled on the floor! How totally uncool.

  “Whoa!” the driver shouted. “Whoa!” The carriage slowed to a halt.

  Parker reached down and helped Liz back up onto the seat. She checked her dress for damage. Other than some smudges, it was okay. Nothing torn. I see dry cleaning in this baby’s future, she thought.

  “What the hell happened?” Parker demanded of the driver.

  “You two okay?” the driver asked with concern. “The horse threw a shoe and spooked. I won’t charge you, sorry.”

  “Are you all right?” Parker asked Liz.

  “I think so,” Liz said. “Purse, shawl, necklace, shoes. Yup. I’m still all here.”

  “I should have you fired,” Parker told the driver.

  Liz put her hand on Parker’s arm. “It’s okay. It was an accident.”

  Parker settled back down. “Okay, just take us back,” he instructed. The carriage started up again—slowly.

  “Well,” said Parker, “I guess the carriage ride was a bad idea. Which sucks, because I really wanted to leave you with a perfect memory of this evening.”

  “It was perfect, Parker…,” Liz said. “And we can make some more memories over Christmas break starting next week,” she added. The martinis had made her bold. Either that or the intense making out. Maybe it was a good thing the horse spooked and stopped all that, she thought. When it comes to Parker, I have no self-restraint!

  “Well, that’s just it,” Parker said, taking her hand. “We can’t. My family and I are going skiing in Aspen.”

  “That sounds fun,” she said, looking down at his hand holding hers. She didn’t want him to see her disappointment. She had thought they’d spend the two weeks off from school together.

  “Aspen is really cool,” Parker said, “I wish…never mind.” He looked away as the carriage stopped in the spot where they had started.

  The driver climbed down from his seat and opened the door to the carriage. Parker helped Liz down.

  “Let’s call a town car and get you home,” he said.

  “You don’t have to do that,” Liz said. She knew Parker lived only a block away. “I’ll just get a cab.”

  “Oh, come on!” Parker pulled out his cell phone.

  “No, really. It’s no big deal,” Liz insisted.

  Parker shrugged, stepped into the street, and flagged down a cab. He held open the door for her, and Liz kissed him, long and hard.

  Leaving him grinning, Liz slid into the cab and Parker closed the door. He stood on the curb watching the taxi as it drove away.

  Well, Liz thought, turning back around in the seat, I didn’t turn into a pumpkin.

  She sighed and leaned back, watching the streets go by in a blur.

  But even Cinderella’s prince didn’t run off to Aspen in the middle of the fairy tale!

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  snow job

  “Grumpus wants pizza!” David shouted, as Liz placed a soy burger in front of him.

  “Grumpus is going to get sent to his room if he keeps torturing me with these requests,” Liz said.

  “He’s faking,” Heather grumbled.

  David glared at Liz. Liz glared back. “I am not in the mood,” she warned him.

  Liz had been out of sorts ever since Parker had told her about his trip to Aspen. Not only did it mean they couldn’t spend any time together over Christmas break, but worse: He’d be hanging out with the same society group he had been with in Palm Beach. She did not have a good feeling about it.

  David picked up the soy burger and squashed it in his hands.

  “Okay, David,” Liz said. “That’s it. I’ve had it. You’re going to your room.”

  “But I didn’t do anything!” David said. “It was Grumpus who did it!”

  “Just stop it! Okay, David?” Liz began.

  “Elizabeth!”

  Liz winced. Dr. M-C towered in the doorway of the dining room. “Yes, Dr. Markham-Collins?”

  “What is going on?” she demanded.

  “Grumpus wanted pizza, and he smushed the soy burger,” David said.

  “Then Grumpus was very bad,” Dr. Markham-Collins said. “Soy burgers are very good, aren’t they, David?”

  “Yes?” the five-year-old said uncertainly.

  “Then why don’t you eat it, and Elizabeth will take Grumpus to your room.”

  “I will?” Liz asked.

  “You will,” Dr. Markham-Collins said in an ominous tone. “And then you will come and see me in my office.”

  Liz sighed and started for the hall.

  “You forgot Grumpus!” David said, laughing.

  Liz forced herself not to roll her eyes. “Come on, Grumpus,” she said, grabbing an invisible hand and dragging it out of the dining room.

  Liz walked down the hall toward Dr. M-C’s office. This will be choice, she thought. I’m about to get chewed out for invisible-child abuse.

  Liz caught sight of herself in a mirror and realized she was still holding Grumpus’s invisible hand. I’m losing it, she thought, settling into one of the chairs in Dr. M-C’s office.

  “Elizabeth,” Dr. M-C said, entering the room, “this is very serious.”

  “I’m sorry that I—” Liz began.

  “I have good news,” Dr. M-C interrupted her. “My publisher has signed on my new book!”

  “That’s great,” Liz said.

  “They need me to get them the book by New Year’s. They want to rush it into the next season,” Dr. M-C said breathlessly.

  “Wow,” Liz said, wondering what any of this had to do with her. “That means you’ll have to work nonstop.”

  “It means, Elizabeth, that we’ll have to work nonstop!” Dr. M-C said. “Together, we can get this book done. I’ll need all your notes.”

  “My notes?” Liz repeated.

  “I need you to take careful notes on everything that Grumpus does. Every little thing will be important. What he eats and doesn’t eat. His likes and dislikes. I will need to know everything that happens.” She handed Liz a little leather-bound notebook.

  “But Christmas vacation starts next week,” Liz reminded her. “I won’t be able to do any of this note-taking then.”

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Dr. M-C said. “I want you to come with us on our family vacation.”

  Liz’s eyes bulged. I would rather stand covered in honey on a fire-ant hill.

  “We’ll be spending the break at my house in Aspen.”

  Aspen!

  “Yes!” Liz shouted and jumped up from her seat. She almost threw her arms around Dr. M-C. Luckily she stopped herself before she embarrassed them both. As it was, Dr. M-C still looked startled by Liz’s outburst.

  Liz forced herself to calm down. “Aspen. Notes, sure. I can do that.”
>
  “Have your mother call me,” Dr. M-C continued. “I hope it will be fine.”

  Mom. Right. I have to get Mom to agree to this, Liz worried. She’ll hate my being away for Christmas. She pushed the idea from her mind. “I’m sure it will be, Dr. Markham-Collins. Don’t worry.”

  Liz left the office and floated through the apartment on cloud nine. I have to call Parker! She reached for her cell and then changed her mind. I’ll save it to tell him in person on our date tomorrow, she decided. He’ll be so excited!

  Liz yanked open the door of her Upper West Side apartment building and dashed inside as if she were crossing the finish line at the Olympics.

  I can’t believe I’m going to Aspen at the end of the week! The elevator opened onto the florescent-lit hallway with its endless row of beige-painted doors. It was quite a contrast to 841 Fifth Avenue, where she spent so much of her time. She let herself into Apartment 12B.

  The apartment wasn’t as fancy or sparkling clean as Dr. M-C’s, but it was a lot more homey and comfortable. Bookcases lined the living room walls, and the worn sofa was a cozy spot for naps. Even the lighting felt softer and friendlier.

  “Mom? Are you here?” Liz called.

  “Liz? That you?” Liz’s mother stepped out of her bedroom. “Hi, honey!” She crossed over and gave her daughter a hug and a kiss. “I can’t believe we’re both home—we never seem to overlap anymore.”

  Linda Braun worked as a real estate broker for a big firm and, as a result, she worked really erratic hours. Sometimes she was free for days, and other times when she was working with clients, she seemed to barely get home at all. Ever since the divorce a few years ago, Liz’s mom tried to make sure that they had dinner together every day. Once Liz started working for Dr. Markham-Collins, that wasn’t really possible anymore.

  “I ordered Chinese,” her mom said, pointing to the white takeout containers on the kitchen table. “You’re just in time.”

  Liz smiled. “Sounds great,” she said, folding herself into her usual chair. She waited until they had both finished an egg roll, then she took a deep breath. “Mom, I need to ask you for a favor.”

  “Shoot,” Ms. Braun said.