get yourself some food and do some work before Alessandra gets here. I’ll catch up with you soon.”
“Okay. See you later.” I float happily into the kitchen to grab a bite, and to my surprise, discover Amalia standing at the island with the caterer. “Amalia!” I say, loping toward her, my arms extended. “I didn’t think you came in on Saturdays!”
Amalia hugs me. “I always come in on party days to coordinate with the caterer.”
After a bit of small talk, I load up a plate, and Amalia joins me at the small kitchen table to keep me company while I eat. She tells me a cute story about one of her grandsons, who just discovered the word “ridiculous.” I tell her about Alessandra, and how excited I am she’s coming over shortly, and will be staying overnight with me in the blue room.
After about fifteen minutes, in the midst of my conversation with Amalia, the kitchen door swings opens and two young women bound into the room. A woman with long, strawberry blonde hair, and another one with a dark bob with bangs and bright blue eyes.
“Amalia!” the brunette says.
“Hello, sweetie!” Amalia says warmly, leaping up from the table to administer hugs. Amalia introduces the women, and I learn the brunette is Reed’s sister and the blonde her best friend.
“And this is Georgina,” Amalia says to the women. She opens her mouth, like she wants to elaborate, but closes it. And I don’t blame her. In this context, it would be weird to introduce me in relation to Rock ‘n’ Roll. But who am I to Reed? And what am I doing here? It’s obviously not for Amalia to put a name to it.
“I’m writing about Reed for Rock ‘n’ Roll,” I say, trying to sound casual. “And also staying here with Reed.” Ugh. That was awkward.
“Reed mentioned the article,” Reed’s sister says. “And also that you’re staying here. He seemed excited about both.”
My heart leaps. “I’m excited about both, as well.”
“That’s good.” She flashes me a warm smile. “We’re going out to the pool. Would you like to join us?”
“Oh, thank you for the invitation. But I’ve got to finish some work before my stepsister, Alessandra, arrives.”
“Maybe when Alessandra gets here, then.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”
Back in my room, I text Alessandra and ask her to pack bathing suits for both of us, so we can join Reed’s sister and her friend at the pool later today. And, luckily, my timing is good—I’ve caught her before she’s left her mother’s place.
Swimsuits handled, I sit on my bed with my laptop, open the guest list, and pick up where I left off earlier. The next name on the list? Laila Fitzgerald. Well, there’s no need to look her up. Laila is a superstar, thanks to a sophomore album that’s spun off hit after hit this past year.
Aloha Carmichael. No need to look her up, either. After years of watching her Disney show It’s Aloha! as a kid, and nowadays seeing Aloha’s ubiquitous face on viral music videos and shampoo commercials, I’d know that pop star’s gorgeous face and famous green eyes anywhere.
Keane Morgan. Okay, that’s a name I don’t know. But after a search, I quickly realize he’s an actor from a show I binge-watched last year. In that show, he was in a small, but pivotal role. But, now, it seems he’s moved on to a co-starring role on a hugely popular show I’ve never seen. Well, good for him. I’m glad to see he’s doing so well.
Madelyn Morgan. I’m assuming from the name she’s Keane’s wife. I google her, and find out I’m right about that. But I also find out she’s a kickass woman—a documentary filmmaker who was nominated for an Oscar last year. I’m a bit surprised, actually. In the show I saw, Keane came off like a total “bro.” But, obviously, if he’s married to a woman like Madelyn Morgan, there must be more to him than meets the eye.
Dax Morgan. Well, that’s another easy one. 22 Goats has been one of my favorite bands for the past few years, ever since they broke onto the scene with a music video that went viral. With his gorgeous face and long, blond hair, Dax Morgan, their frontman, is instantly recognizable to me and half the world. But even so, I look him up, just to see if he’s related to the actor, Keane Morgan. And, yup. Wikipedia tells me Dax and Keane are the two