Beautiful Disaster (14 page)

Dante was calling for an ambulance.

But Max knew that it was too late. He cradled Pippa’s head, her eyes calm as she coughed up blood in a final body spasm, calmer still as a dead look glazed over them.

The beginning of the agony rushed through him. When Max spoke, it was in the tiny voice of a child.

“She’s gone.”

From: Bijou

What will become of them?

10:37 am 5/27/06

L
a Piaggia on South Pointe Drive gave off ultrahot vibrations—Miami style. The floor was sand. The banquettes were striped yellow and white. The umbrellas were shocking orange. And the power lunches ruled.

The reservation had originally been for five.

Vanity discreetly gestured to the waiter to remove the fifth place setting. Seeing it on the table only intensified the traumatic reality that Pippa was not with them.

The heartbreak seemed magnified by the fact that a postceremony graduation brunch at this restaurant had been her idea. In fact, it was the sole reason that the group had conjured up the strength to gather. In tribute to Pippa.

Vanity observed as Dante cut a hostile glance and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. She tracked his gaze, noticing an older gentleman at a nearby table watching him with keen interest.

“I think you’re being cruised,” Max said, picking up on the distraction while turning his third mimosa upside down. “He wants you to be his boy toy.” It was classic Max, but his voice rang hollow. The zing was gone.

Vanity could tell that he had been crying.

Dante worked hard to ignore the stranger’s attention.

Thoughtfully, Christina fingered the stem of her champagne flute.

Vanity’s mimosa remained untouched. She reached for her water glass just as Dante’s admirer approached the table.

“Forgive me, I’ve been staring relentlessly since you walked in.” The man was polished, well-groomed, impeccably dressed, and, quite obviously, a
confirmed bachelor
. “I have to ask. Are you an actor?”

Dante shook his head no.

Vanity watched the scene unfold.

The man presented Dante a business card and launched into a breathless pitch. “I’m an agent with Meteor. You’ve got the perfect look for the lead role in a script that’s the hottest property in Hollywood. Call me next week. I’d like to fly you out for a screen test. See how the camera responds to you.” A manicured hand was offered. “Sky Shamblin.”

“Uh…Dante Medina.” He shook fast.

Sky flashed a superwhite smile. “Great name.” And then he was gone.

Max could hardly contain himself. He scrambled to inspect the card. “Dude, Meteor’s
huge
. Sky Shamblin’s
huge
. Last year he turned down my father for representation.”

Dante just sat there, stunned.

“I guess this means we’re both heading to L.A.,” Max said.

“Yeah,” Dante murmured. “I guess so.”

“Don’t forget me,” Christina put in.

Max tilted his head. “Brush up on your geography, Jap. Last time I checked, Savannah was in Georgia, not California.”

“I’m not going,” Christina announced. “I sent the email turning down the scholarship this morning.”

Vanity, Dante, and Max all turned on her in alarm.

“It just doesn’t feel right.”

Everybody nodded their understanding.

“Well, that makes three of us,” Max remarked.

Vanity felt under siege as everybody probed her face with meaningful looks that begged the question: Would she join them in Los Angeles?

Surreptitiously, Vanity slipped her right hand underneath the table and palmed her belly. Her period was three weeks late. The pregnancy test was positive. Dante was the baby’s father. And Vanity had no idea what she was going to do about it. Telling him was out of the question. He had big dreams to pursue, and no way was she going to stand in the way of that.

“God, this is strange,” Max remarked softly. “Pippa just died last night. And here we are making plans.”

A mournful silence hit the table.

“How can life be going on already?” Max asked.

“Because it does,” Vanity whispered, thinking about the life that had ended…and also about the life that was growing inside her. “The lamest clichés are the truest ones. Life goes on.”

Dear Readers,

I hope you enjoyed
Beautiful Disaster
, the third book in my new FAST GIRLS, HOT BOYS series. It was excruciating to write Pippa’s death scene. Truth be told, by the time I approached the end, I didn’t want
anyone
to die. But, alas, somebody had to perish. And in this case, it was the darling British tart.

I’ve been thrilled by the many wonderful letters from readers. People have truly enjoyed the cliffhanger elements of this trilogy and the fun of anticipating the next installment.

Normally, I write books from a detailed outline, but for this series, I employed a much more organic approach by just sitting down with a blank yellow legal pad and letting the characters tell the story. Perhaps that’s why these books have been so exciting. I had no idea what was going to happen, either!

If you can’t get enough of FAST GIRLS, HOT BOYS, then visit my official website at www.readkylie.com for free reader extras. There’s an exclusive three-part short story called “Jailbait,” which is a prequel focusing on Max’s not-so-baby sister, Shoshanna, the ultimate wild child. She’s fifteen going on twenty-one. The first chapter was posted with the release of
Cruel Summer
, the second chapter was posted in tandem with
Bling Addiction
, and the finale is available now. I hope you enjoy “Jailbait.”

The second extra is a free Podcast available for immediate download on iTunes. This multisegment radio show is packed with a few spoilers on
Beautiful Disaster
, cool information about Miami, plus dish on the latest fashion and trends. Just log on to iTunes and type “Kylie Adams” or “Fast Girls, Hot Boys” into the Podcast search engine. At no charge you can download the program and subscribe to future Podcasts. There’s also a
Beautiful Disaster
iMix available on iTunes. Just log on and type “Beautiful Disaster” into the iMix search engine. You’ll see a fun playlist featuring songs and artists mentioned in the book. This is part three of the soundtrack to the lives of Vanity, Dante, Max, Pippa, and Christina.

Wait—there’s more! On my website, take a moment to join the K-List, otherwise known as “Kylie’s Inner Circle.” There’s a special sign-up tab for fans of Fast Girls, Hot Boys. I’ll be sending out periodic emails on the miniseries, future writing projects, and site updates. And don’t forget to post me a K-Mail. I love hearing from readers, and I’m dying to know what you think about
Beautiful Disaster
!

With all good wishes,

Kylie Adams

www.readkylie.com