Ciao (9 page)

“The hurricane was blowing pretty strong by late afternoon,” she says. “I wanted to pick something up on the other side of the island, and I convinced Dylan to come with me. Of course, by the time we got to the hotel, the hurricane was in full force. So I asked Dylan to wait it out with me. Really, it wasn’t safe to drive, and all public transportation was shut down by then.”

“And you just happened to have a room at this particular hotel?” Paige asks. “During Fashion Week, when all the hotels were solidly booked?”

Eliza makes a catty smile. “My parents have a timeshare there.”

“Handy,” I say from the sidelines.

“Anyway, we went up to the suite to watch the storm,” she continues. “And that was all that happened. I eventually went to bed. Dylan fell asleep on the sofa. He must’ve left sometime in the middle of the night, probably after the storm passed, because he was gone in the morning. End of story.”

“So Dylan told me the truth right from the start.” Paige shakes her head. “And this whole media frenzy was, as usual, much ado about nothing?”

“I wouldn’t say
nothing,”
I add. “Don’t forget that the gossip rags usually get a fragment of their story from
some
source, whether it’s accurate or not.” I look at Eliza, but she just shrugs like she’s innocent.

Paige turns to Rhiannon with a smile. “And now, back to why we’re here today. Please, can we continue the tour of your delightful studio? I believe you’ve got some models coming in to show off some of your designs?”

“That’s right.” Rhiannon nods. “On with the show!”

Mom and I exchange glances as we leave Eliza’s office. I think we’re both proud—and more than a little impressed— with how Paige handled that, at the end, at least. I am curious as to whether or not any of that footage will actually make the show. But like Paige said, our fans probably have a right to hear the truth. So often the tabloid rags bury it. It’s refreshing when it’s allowed to surface and shine, kind of like taking a shower after a mud bath.

After the success of our short New York
trip, Paige and I both agree that Mom should come with us to Milan Fashion Week in September. I’m hoping that if Fran’s recovery continues as well as it’s been going, she might be able to come too — not with the heavy load of all her old responsibilities, but in a partnership with Mom. I think all of us would benefit from this combination. I plan to pitch the idea to Helen as soon as we meet again after our short hiatus.

It’s interesting that while our show’s cast and crew are on vacation, Blake and Ben’s new show has just gone into production. That’s because their network was so enthused over the idea that they wanted to launch it as soon as possible. Already there’s a good buzz going on about the new reality show.

“August would be the perfect time for you and Paige to make an appearance on our show,” Blake tells me as we’re on our way home following a movie premiere that Ben got him tickets to. The sci-fi movie was kind of ho-hum, but I have to admit it was fun being involved in the splashy premiere. Fortunately Paige played my fashion consultant, dressing me
in a sophisticated Badgley Mischka cocktail dress in a cool shade of pewter. And it was amusing that cameras were flashing at Blake and me as we made our exit out of the theater.

Seriously, just one year ago I never could’ve imagined that I’d be involved in this kind of lifestyle. Although I disliked it at first, I guess it’s kind of grown on me, probably because I have a strong suspicion it will only be one short era of my life. It’s kind of like a rollercoaster ride—it’s fun while it lasts, but it’ll be good to get off.

“And just what would Paige and I do if we did make an appearance?” I ask Blake. “Would you send Paige, an engaged young woman whose relationship has been a bit bumpy already, on a blind date?”

“No, of course not. Like Ben suggested, Paige could do some fashion advising. It would be a great way to cross-promote your show.”

“Our show’s on hiatus.”

“Yes, but publicity is publicity.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“And
you’re
not engaged,” he points out.

Now for some reason the way he says this aggravates me. As if he’s not involved with me at all—like we’re nothing more than just friends. I honestly thought we were more than that. “That’s right,” I retort. “I’m not engaged. So do you want to send me on a blind date?”

He chuckles. “It might be interesting.”

“And who, might I ask, would choose this date for me?”

“The computer dating service. You’d fill out the questionnaire and they would try to find a match.”

“Have you done that?” I ask him.

“Sure, Ben and I both did it a couple weeks ago. How else could we go on blind dates?”

“Right …” Not for the first time, I’m questioning the sensibility of this whole thing. Is it right to go on a blind date for the sake of a TV show? On the one hand, like Blake says, it could be educational for viewers. On the other hand, what if hearts get broken? Like mine. “So have you gone on a blind date for the show yet?”

He lets out a long sigh. “Actually, I had a coffee date just last week.”

“Really?” I’m surprised. “You never told me.”

“Hey, it’s work. You don’t always tell me about your work.”

“I don’t date anyone at work.”

He glances at me. “Are you saying you’re jealous?”

Suddenly I feel set up, or cornered, or something. I just shrug. “Not exactly. I guess I’m more curious. Was your date a match from the computer?”

“Kind of. We started out with a small pool of daters … you know, for the sake of the show.”

“Like people from
Malibu Beach
and friends of Ben?”

“Yeah. The dating service matched us up from that pool and that’s how the show begins.”

“Do the viewers know this?” I ask. “Or do they think you went out with a girl who was pulled out of a million potential dates?”

“We don’t mention the small pool, but I think viewers will figure it out when they see the same people going on other dates … but the pool will get bigger and bigger.”

“Kind of a pyramid pool?” I tease.

“We have to keep it interesting.”

“Yeah, I can imagine. So is it going to end up being like
The Bachelor?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, people drinking too much, making out, going to bed?”

“No—at least I don’t think so. Not with me anyway.” “But with others?”

He shrugs. “That’s not the focus of the show, but I suppose it could happen.”

Now, call me old-fashioned (and plenty of people do), but that just aggravates me. I don’t like it that Blake is involved in something like this.

“So, are you saying you wouldn’t go on a blind date?” he persists. “Just for the fun of it?”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“Because it would be interesting, Erin. Wouldn’t you like to see what kind of guy the computer matches you with?”

“Out of your
small
pool?” I frown. “What if I ended up with Ben? Ugh!”

“Ben’s not the devil, Erin.”

“I know. But I couldn’t stand to be stuck on a blind date with him. What would happen if I agreed to do this and hated the guy and walked out?”

“That would be your choice. No way are we forcing anyone to do anything. That’s what makes it interesting.”

“Right …”

“What if you agreed to a blind date and the computer matched you with me?” he asks in a hopeful tone.

I laugh. “That wouldn’t exactly be a blind date … or anything that your viewers would be interested in.”

“Maybe not.”

Suddenly I feel like calling his bluff. Not that it’s a bluff exactly. But since he’s jabbed me in a jealous spot, I decide to jab him back. “You know, Blake, it might be interesting after all.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I do wonder what kind of guy the computer would match me with. I mean, I’d be totally honest in my likes and dislikes. Maybe I’d meet a really cool guy.”

“Maybe …” He sounds uncertain.

“I would only agree to do it if you let me be part of the big pool of daters. Not just the handpicked ones.”

“I guess we could arrange that.”

“Okay. If you do that, I’ll give it a try.”

“I’ll talk to Ben.” Blake sounds a little doubtful, and I suppose I feel a bit smug, like I have him over the old proverbial barrel. I like that.

Although I follow Blake’s direction by registering with the online dating service the following week, I go for almost two weeks without hearing a word. Really, I’m relieved. By late August I’m thinking I was nuts to even agree to anything so ridiculous. But Paige and I did accept the invitation to guest star a couple of times in order to offer fashion critique and suggestions.

Actually, I played my old role as “Camera Girl” so we could get some footage for our show. Meanwhile, Paige handled the actual consultations with the girls who were getting ready for their big blind dates. I’ll admit it was kind of fun, but I know I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes — It’s obviously nerve-wracking. Not only are they putting themselves out there with
guys they’ve never met, they’re doing it in front of the whole world. Not my cup of tea.

So when the producer of their show calls me after Labor Day to say that the online service has matched me with someone, I’m quite naturally hesitant.

“Oh, I don’t know,” I tell him. “I think maybe I’ve changed my mind.”

“But wait until you hear more,” he says eagerly. “We decided to play up the angle that you and Blake are involved with each other. I know you’re not in an exclusive relationship or anything like that. Still, you have dated. So what we want to do is send the two of you on a
double
blind date!”

“A double blind date?”

“Yes. We’ve found great matches for both you and Blake and we want to send the four of you out on what we call an über-date.”

“An über-date?”

“Usually, our dates are budget dates. Sometimes just coffee, sometimes lunch. But an über-date is when we pull out all the stops and send you to some new hotspot for a fantastic evening. Surely, you can’t say no to that, Erin?”

“And Blake thought this would be a good idea? A double blind date with him and me?”

“Absolutely.”

Okay, while I’m somewhat irritated, I’m also intrigued. The producer continues to pitch this double blind date as the greatest thing short of winning the lottery. Finally, my curiosity gets the best of me and I agree. He fills me in on the details and the big date is set for Saturday, only four days from now. But as soon as I hang up I’m questioning myself. Have I completely lost my mind?

Naturally, Paige thinks this is hilarious. “I’ll bet Blake set himself up with a total babe, Erin. And you’ll be stuck with a loser.”

“Blake assured me he has no control over the selection of the dates,” I tell her.

“And you believed him? Erin, this is
reality
TV. Get real.”

“Well, I’ve already considered that possibility,” I admit. “And even if I’m paired with the nerdiest guy imaginable, I’ll treat him politely.”

“Good for you. It’s always best to take the high road.” She grins. “And just in case you get punked with your date, you need to look absolutely stunning. So you’ll let me help, won’t you?”

I shrug. “Why not?”

“We should make a deal with
Celebrity Blind Date
to use some of the footage of your date in our show.”

“I don’t know about that. If I end up looking stupid on their show, I’m not sure I want to do it again on ours.”

“Well, we won’t use the footage if it’s really horrible, Erin. But just in case, let me ask Mom to help with the legal end. That way we can use anything we want from our show’s wardrobe for your date. And Leah said that some new things have arrived for Milan already.” Paige rubs her hands together. “I can’t wait to check it out.”

So Paige and I spend Friday afternoon “shopping” in our own wardrobe department until she finally settles on what she says is a killer outfit. I’ll admit it’s hot. “Although I’m not sure about these shoes,” I tell her. “The heels are a little high for me.”

“But they’re Prada and they make your legs look long. Plus they’re beyond perfect with the Miu Miu dress. Besides, you said this is a fancy date. So I’m guessing you’ll be dining
someplace really swanky. You need to look great, Erin. Not just for the sake of our show, but so that Blake can’t keep his eyes off you.”

“Don’t you mean
my
date won’t be able to?”

“I mean
both
of them, Erin.”

I laugh but give in to my sister’s fashion sensibility. I might not admit it, but she’s right. I do want to capture Blake’s attention.

On Saturday, about thirty minutes before my “date” is supposed to pick me up, a
Celebrity Blind Date
camera guy arrives. To my surprise he’s accompanied by the show’s host, none other than Benjamin Kross. Fortunately, Paige takes it all in stride, breaking the ice with some jokes. Then the focus turns to me.

“We’re at the home of Erin Forrester,” Ben says to the camera, “where she’s been getting ready for her big blind date tonight.” He smiles at me. “You look fantastic, Erin. Let me guess … did your fashionista sister have anything to do with your look?”

I tell him a bit about what I’m wearing. “Paige and I are getting ready to head to Italy for Milan Fashion Week,” I say as a plug for our show.
“On the Runway
will be shooting on location there in a couple of weeks. That’s why I’m wearing Italian designers tonight.”

“Well, you look stunning. Your date is one lucky guy. But what about poor Blake? We know that you and he have dated off and on over the past few years. Do you think he’ll be so distracted by your loveliness that he’ll forget about his own date?”

I laugh. “I doubt it. And even if he were distracted, Blake is a gentleman.”

“Yes, I have to agree with you there. So, Erin, tell us a bit about yourself and how you filled out the application with the online dating service.”

I pause to think. “Well, I mentioned my interest in the film industry and how I love photography and the arts.”

“What is your favorite thing to photograph?”

“Anything in nature,” I say quickly. “I also like architecture.”

“And your ideal date would be?”

I press my lips together. “Probably doing something outdoors. Maybe a hike … taking some photos … then going to a quaint restaurant and eating outdoors.”

He nods, glancing at my feet. “You’re certainly not wearing your hiking shoes tonight.”

I force a smile. “Paige urged me to wear these shoes.”

“Only because they look absolutely fabulous on you,” she says. Just then our bell rings, and the camera guy follows me as I answer it.

A tall, good-looking guy (not a geek) is holding out a small bouquet of daisies. “Hi, I’m Aidan,” he tells me with a great smile. His sparkling blue eyes seem to contrast with his curly dark brown hair. All in all, this guy is well put together. No one is punking me.

“I’m Erin,” I tell him. “Thanks.” I take the flowers and wonder what to do with them. “I love daisies!” I see Paige smiling from the shadows as she gives me a quick thumbs-up.

“I hoped you would.” He looks a little uneasy.

“This is kind of weird, isn’t it?” I say. “The whole blind date thing?”

He nods. “I was questioning it myself on the way over here.” “Let me put these in some water,” I say, but as I turn around, Paige swoops them from me. When she returns from
the kitchen, I introduce her to Aiden. “You may have seen Paige on our TV show.”

He blinks. “You have a TV show?”

Paige giggles. “Obviously, you haven’t seen it.” Then she quickly explains.

“Paige is the queen of style,” Ben tells Aidan. “She broke all the single guys’ hearts when she got engaged a few months ago.”

“Poor Ben,” she says mockingly.

“And now, boys and girls”—Ben claps his hands—“we need to rock and roll. Our limo awaits.”

Feeling understandably nervous, Aidan and I go down to the limo with cameras rolling. He politely opens the door for me and there, already in the limo, are Blake and a strikingly pretty brunette.

“This is Grace,” Blake tells us as Aidan and I slide into the seat across from them. One camera guy and Ben sit in the back. Soon we are introduced all around and although we make some small talk, I’m distracted by the fact that Blake and Grace are in casual clothes. That’s when I notice that Aidan is relatively casual-looking too. Suddenly I feel overdressed and don’t know what to do. The limo is on its way and it’s too late to ask to go back to change.