three times I would start a new job hunt tomorrow on my day off. In between kisses, I took a moment to reflect on how happy I was with Henry. What a frickin catch I had made.
$$$
The next night, Sunday, Lila strolled into the apartment around four o’clock. I had offered to pick her up from the airport, but she told me during one of our phone conversations that Mary had arranged a car service to take her home. A car service. Lucky duck. I was lounging on the couch, making final notes on the Valentine’s Day specials we would be running at Blissful when the door opened.
“Honey, I’m home!” Lila shouted, throwing her suitcase aside and stretching out her arms.
I squealed, jumping to my feet to embrace her. “You’re home! And you’re so tan. I’m extremely jealous. Did you work at all or just lay on the beach? Did you get signed? Did you meet Brad Pitt?”
Lila laughed, letting me go and taking a seat on the couch. I joined her. “So many questions! Okay–– no I didn’t get to go to the beach. We were constantly moving around and meeting with people, but Mary did have me do a spray tan once I got there, so that’s all this is.” She gestured towards her bronzed arms.
“A spray tan?”
“Yeah, I had to get naked in front of some lady and she basically painted a tan on me with a nozzle. It was bizarre, cold and a little uncomfortable, but look how tan I am! And no UV rays or any chance of skin cancer.”
Lila did look good. I made a mental note to think about adding a spray tan to Blissful. That could be a popular option for those who avoided tanning beds.
“Besides, it was a little chilly out there. Definitely not like here, but I’d say in the fifties and sixties. It rained almost every day, so the beach wasn’t really an option, even if we did have the time.”
She paused, and I stared at her expectedly. “So? The biggest question–– were you signed? Did you find someone to represent you and make you into a star?” Are you moving away from me? I bit my tongue from asking that last question.
Lila took a deep breath, and I saw my answer in her sparkling eyes before she spoke. “Yes. Yes! Can you believe it, Alex? Mary helped me get signed with Ross Ricchio, who runs Ricchio Talent Management, or RTM. I actually had a few offers, but Mary steered me towards Ross and I signed on the dotted line and –– and I’m doing it. I’m really doing it.” Lila suddenly burst into tears, which threw me off balance.
“Hey, hey, what’s the matter? Aren’t you thrilled? This is your dream come true. You’re getting a shot with a real agent and agency and someone who can find you great jobs.” I wrapped my friend in a hug and tried to soothe her. “What’s with the crying? You have to be so excited.”
“I am. I am excited. But I’m terrified, Al. What if I mess it all up? What if I’m no good? What if I can’t make any friends out there and I’m alone and have to start buying cats? What if I turn into a spoiled celebrity and get triple D boobs and injections that make my lips look like fish and dye my hair platinum blonde?”
“Did you make a detour at that bunny house you’re always talking about?” I asked, only half joking.
Lila laughed, pulling back and wiping her face with her fingertip. “The Playboy mansion. No, we didn’t get to stop there, unfortunately. But I saw a ton of girls who looked like plastic versions of the same person. It was creepy. I don’t want to turn into that.”
“You have to make sure you stay grounded. Call me a lot. Call your family a lot. I’m sure you’ll be able to find one other person out there who hasn’t turned into a Barbie zombie. It might take a little bit, but you’ll find that person. And then you two have to rely on each other to keep your cool and not get a ton of plastic surgery –– which by the way –– would totally freak me out. You better not look plastic when I come out to visit you.”
“How am I going to leave you?” Lila burst into a fresh set of tears. “And my family, my sisters? You and Hannie and Carmen and