weird hat Mrs. Watson was wearing,” Kennedy says.
“Oh, you mean the shower cap?”
Kennedy shudders.
“Only married women and older spinsters wore those, so we won’t have to,” Phoebe explains.
“Praise the Lord for that,” Kennedy says.
Phoebe collects my hair in a ponytail and pulls a few strands out around my face. “You’ll totally rock the look, Emma. Don’t you think, Kennedy?”
“Definitely.”
“Half nun, half poodle?” I suggest.
Phoebe drops my hair and resumes drinking her coffee. “Do you think Sebastian and his friend will be dressed in Regency clothing, too?”
“Probably,” I huff. “I mean, the show’s called Dating Mr. Darcy, so it figures.”
I picture Sebastian dressed like Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in the BBC adaptation my mom used to watch. Wow, did I have a crush on him! I mean, who didn’t, right? In tight pants and knee-high boots, that jacket with the long tail things and a white shirt to show off his dark hair? Not to mention the wet shirt clinging to his muscular frame when he got out of that pond ...
“He’ll look hot,” Kennedy says. “Don’t you think, Emma?”
“I don’t hate the idea of him dressed as Mr. Darcy,” I admit in my Colin Firth-induced haze.
Camille and the delusional Shelby arrive at our table.
“Well look at you. If it isn’t Sporty Spice, the Disney princess, and,” Camille looks at Kennedy with disdain, “your nondescript friend.”
“Nice, Camille. Real nice,” Kennedy says.
“There’s no need to be rude,” Phoebe says. “Kennedy is gorgeous, and I’m no more a Disney princess than any of you.”
Camille harrumphs.
“Good morning, you two,” I say breezily. “You both look lovely today.” Mom always told me to kill the enemy with kindness, so I lather it on.
Shelby smiles and thanks me as Camille replies, “Well, you look the same.”
I glance down at my Timothy top and pants. Although she’s wrong in that they’re not the same as last night’s ensemble, because ew that would be gross, they are from the same line. But I doubt that’s what she means. “Actually, I do have shoes on today, so I think I’ve got a totally new look.” I raise a foot and wave it in the air.
Camille harrumphs. “You tell yourself that, honey. You’ll be kissing those sweats goodbye soon, anyway. I’ve heard we’re being called for fittings.”
Fittings? How fan-freaking-tastic.
“I wonder if we’ll get any choice?” Shelby says excitedly. “If we do, I want yellow. I love yellow.”
“I think I’d want pink, because it’s so girly and cute,” Phoebe says.
“What color would you want, Camille?” I ask, acting all innocent. “Black to match your soul?”
Kennedy stares at me. “You did not just say that.”
“Oh, yes she did,” Shelby says as we watch Camille for a reaction.
She opens her mouth to reply when the door swings open and Sebastian strolls in, instantly grabbing everyone’s attention. Which is probably a good thing for me, since I just insulted Camille.
He smiles at us all. “I thought I’d pop in and say a quick hello after my workout. I trust you all slept well?”
I run my eyes over him, like every woman in the room, and probably the serving staff to boot. If I thought he looked good in his tux last night, it’s nothing in comparison with how he looks right now. He’s wearing shorts and a tank top, his face glowing with exertion, his tan, muscular arms and legs on show for all to admire. In good shape? Heck, yes. But I’m sure he knows it, and dropping by to see us fresh from the gym is doubtlessly a calculated move to make us swoon.
“Oh, we did sleep well. Thank you for asking, Sebastian,” Abbi says for us all. Inaccurately, in my case however.
“That’s good to hear. I’m looking forward to seeing you all later in the day. I understand you’re going to look quite different then.” He flashes his smile and the women around me seem to melt. Not that I’m entirely impervious to his charms, because hello, he’s a hot guy, even if he is a stuck up snob. But melt? No thank you.
“How’s the food? Is the coffee good?”
“Would you like a cup, Sebastian?” Camille says as she twists her hair around her fingers. “I’d be happy to fetch you one.”
“I thought she’d have servants to do that,” Kennedy mumbles to me under her breath.
“She probably brought one in her suitcase. I bet he’s called Jeeves.”
Kennedy snorts with laughter and instantly covers her mouth with her hand. Sebastian looks our way and I give him a little wave to