Sugar and Spice_ An L.A. Candy Novel - Lauren Conrad [38]
Scarlett wondered how Liam was going to react when she told him about tonight. Or, for that matter, when she told him the news about Maxim. She’d gotten the call from the PopTV press department this afternoon, telling her that Maxim wanted to book her for a cover. She had started to say no but changed her mind after giving it some thought. After all, she was the new, cooperative Scarlett Harp. And magazine covers were good for the show. It was all a part of the job of being famous. (She tried not to mentally choke on that word, “famous.”) Besides, it wasn’t as though she had anything to hide.
Oops. Wrong choice of words. Scarlett had become excellent at hiding things.
“This looks good,” Caleb said politely.
Scarlett and Jane exchanged a glance as Caleb dug his fork into the guacamole. Or rather, the rock-hard avocado chunks mixed with lemon juice, chopped onion, cilantro, and Tabasco sauce.
“Um . . . thanks?” Jane said sheepishly, waiting for him to take a bite.
“We also made fish tacos. Do you guys like fish tacos?” Scarlett asked quickly. The tacos had turned out well, and seemed semi-edible, unlike the guacamole.
“Fish tacos are my favorite,” Naveen said.
“Yeah, mine, too. Janie, you remembered!” Caleb said, looking pleased.
Scarlett noticed Jane opening her mouth to say, “I didn’t,” then clamping it shut. The fish tacos had been Scarlett’s idea, because she had a super-easy recipe that consisted of four ingredients (tortillas, frozen fish sticks, shredded cabbage, and bottled sauce) and a microwave.
Jane glanced down at her lap, then up at Caleb with a fake smile. “Yeah, well, do you remember my favorite food from high school?” she asked him.
Scarlett rolled her eyes. Dana must be texting Jane directions. She could tell the difference between her friend’s real tone of voice and her Dana is making me say stuff tone of voice.
Caleb looked thoughtful. “Hmmm. Definitely your mom’s homemade clam chowder.”
“Wrong! It was pizza from Paesano’s,” Scarlett corrected him.
Jane laughed. “You’re both wrong. I was obsessed with mac and cheese. Remember, I used to make it all the time?”
Caleb and Naveen laughed, too. Scarlett was surprised that they seemed so comfortable with two PopTV cameras practically on top of them, filming everything. Maybe it was the pomegranate margaritas (which were kind of strong) . . . or maybe they were just naturals at this . . . or maybe Dana was texting them lines, too. Whatever the case, the evening was going smoothly so far, and Caleb and Naveen were being really charming. Scarlett found herself almost relaxing and having fun. Almost.
“So, Scarlett. How’s school going?” Naveen said, touching her arm lightly.
She pulled away quickly and said, “It’s fine.” You’re on camera. Say something! Act friendly and casual! she reminded herself. “I had my photography class today.”
“Digital or film?”
“Digital. The professor doesn’t believe in Photoshopping, so we have to learn to take really, really good images.”
“Wow, no Photoshopping? That’s so not-Hollywood.”
“Yeah, right? It’s kind of refreshing.” Scarlett took a bite of the guacamole. Hmm, not good.
Naveen grinned. “Could you imagine if Photoshop was never invented? And you got to see pictures of celebrities as they really are, with wrinkles and muffin tops and massive zits and cankles—”
Scarlett cracked up, covering her mouth with her hands. “Stop! You can’t make me laugh when I’m eating!” she mumbled.
Naveen leaned over as if to tickle her. “Really? Why not?” he said innocently.
“Stop it!”
“Caleb and I are going to make another pitcher of margaritas,” Jane announced, standing up. Caleb stood up, too. Was Scarlett imagining things, or was Jane a bit wobbly on her feet? Maybe more margaritas weren’t such a good idea. “Stay out of trouble, you two!” she added, wagging her finger playfully at Scarlett and Naveen.
Oh, God. Did she seriously just say that on camera? “We’re just going to finish off this yummy guacamole!” Scarlett said as Jane and Caleb headed into the kitchen, hoping to