Sugar and Spice_ An L.A. Candy Novel - Lauren Conrad [67]
“Yeah, she’s really good!” Gaby agreed. “Except . . .”
“Except what?”
“Except . . . she makes me do all this stuff. Like, I have to get my hair and makeup done before every single shoot. And she has me working with this stylist who totally changed the way I dress. At first it was kinda fun, but now I don’t feel like me. I feel like I’m playing a part.” Gaby tugged at her tight black minidress, which made her new cleavage bunch up and practically spill out. “Plus . . . my boobs hurt.”
“Yeah, I heard breast surgery can be like that,” Madison said, not revealing the fact that she’d had the procedure done herself, more than once. “But this is Hollywood. If you don’t keep up with all the other skinny, gorgeous double-D girls, you’re out.”
“Yeah. But I’m also sick of the stuff Annabelle’s making me say on the show and in the magazines. She and Trevor have these meetings, and then she tells me that I have to be a bitch to Jane and Scarlett if I want more airtime. I know, I know!” she added quickly when Madison shot her an annoyed look. “You hate their guts. But I’m kinda friends with them and with you. I’m sorry, but I’m just being honest. I don’t like taking sides or being mean to anybody. Besides, I thought the whole point of being on a reality show is that you get to be yourself. Well, this isn’t me.”
Madison took a sip of her sparkling water. Unlike Gaby, she was not going to let her bad mood push her to eat french fries and fatty little sliders. So. Gaby’s sleazy new publicist was behind her new look and personality. And it was obviously paying off. Madison had noticed a lot more of Gaby in the magazines and on Season 2 of the show.
Part of her was tempted to tell Gaby to stop whining. She had what she wanted, didn’t she? More fame, more airtime, more boyfriends? (Even though the “boyfriends” were just in it for the media attention.)
Gaby also didn’t have half the problems Madison had. Not nearly. Madison was still reeling from the idea of Sophie hooking up with Jesse. No wonder the little bitch was grilling her on Saturday about him and the other people on L.A. Candy. She had obviously been searching for a way to make a big tabloid splash. Showing up at the restaurant opening with Jane’s fresh-out-of-rehab ex definitely qualified. As for Jesse, what better way for him to get back at Jane for dumping him than dating her cute new costar (and Madison’s sister, although frankly, dating Madison herself would have meant way higher ratings)? Jane (who had seemed strangely giddy about spending her evening stuffing gift bags and seating celebs) had not been able to mask her shock at seeing the happy new couple. And she had not been able to hide her disgust as she watched them downing vodka shot after vodka shot and showing way too much PDA in front of the A-list crowd.
Madison had wondered briefly if Trevor had arranged for Sophie and Jesse to show up at the party together, for the publicity or just for “drama” on the show. But from the stunned expression on Trevor’s face at their grand entrance, it had been just as much of a surprise for him as everyone else.
Sophie was clearly after the spotlight—and she was succeeding, so far. Which meant that Madison had both Sophie and Jane to worry about now. Because there was only room in the spotlight for one of them. Sophie was allowed to be famous, sure—but not more famous than Madison. Not anywhere close.
Gaby’s voice interrupted her worries. “It’s been so long, just us girls hanging out without the cameras. I mean, it’s hard to imagine now, but there once was a time when we all kinda got along. Hey, I know! You wanna come with me when I walk Princess Baby?” she said eagerly.
“That sounds great, but I’m really tired, and I’ve gotta be at the office early,” Madison fibbed. Of course, she had no intention of showing up at Fiona’s in the morning or any time tomorrow,