Reality Check by Jen Calonita Read Free Book Online Page B

talk at the same time without looking dumb—but somehow he always does it on TV. “If you ladies will excuse me, there is a crab cake calling my name,” he adds, and with a wink he'sgone.
    “I'm so glad you guys are here,” Susan says, and proceeds to give us all kisses on the cheek. “I have a ton of people who are dying to meet you. They're on the back patio cooling off. It's a bit stuffy in here. They tell me they have the AC on, but with all these bodies, it feels like a sauna. Shall we go?” Susan asks. It doesn't sound like we have a choice.
    She leads the way outside, me following close behind, my hand firmly around Hallie's, and hopefully she has the chain behind her. I'm afraid it's going to be cold since it's early April, but there are several heat lamps keeping the area warm and toasty. A group of well-dressed men and women are sitting around a table, some smoking, some laughing, but all noise stops when they see us, and I have the strangest feeling that they know exactly who we are.
    “Everyone, I'd like you to meet Charlie, Hallie, Brooke, and Keiran.”
    People immediately get up to shake our hands and introduce themselves. We already know Jarred, an executive who took part in the conversations with Susan and our parents. The other names start flying and I hear Chloe, Jesse, and I think Sebastian. Not that I'll remember who is who. It's my one journalistic flaw. Good reporters remember every detail thrown at them, but I'm bad with names. Zac likes to joke that I wouldn't remember my own name under pressure.
    “Wow, we've got a fan club already,” I say, aware that everyone is staring.
    “Please sit down,” says one of the suits as he pulls out chairs for us. “Do you want something to drink? Have you eaten? They make the best homemade ricotta gnocchi. It's not being served tonight, but we can have them whip it up for you.”
    “Oooh, that sounds delish! I'll have one,” Hallie says.
    How she's a size two, I have no idea. The girl eats enough to feed all of us. Brooke is sitting between me and Hallie. I feel her leg move and then a stomp. I think she's just stepped on Hallie's foot.
    “Never mind,” Hallie says glumly, giving Brooke a nasty look.
    “I'll order them for all of you,” he says with a crooked smile and glances at Susan.
    “That would be great, thanks,” I say before anyone can object. “The truth is, I am hungry.” Now Brooke hits me. “Well, I am! I'm sure people in the Hamptons eat just like we do, Brooke.”
    Susan laughs. “I told you she was funny,” she says to the group.
    I'm not trying to be funny. My stomach is growling. Brooke was so busy doing makeovers that we didn't get to eat dinner. Then when Hallie wanted to order pizza, Brooke balked, fearing the grease would ruin our outfits. Or should I say, her outfits, which we had on loan.
    Susan smiles brightly, revealing what I'm sure are laser-whitened teeth. “So, are you four excited about the show? Once you sign on the dotted line we'll probably start shooting in the coming weeks.”
    The four of us look at each other and try not to flash Cheshire Cat grins. “You mean you definitely want us?” I ask tentatively.
    Susan and the others laugh. “Yes, Charlie, we really want you. We wouldn't be doing all this if we didn't. You're exactly what we've been looking for.”
    My heart feels like it's going to thump out of my chest.
We're
exactly what Fire and Ice has been looking for? Four girls from Cliffside on Long Island?
    This. Is. So. Cool.
    Brooke squeals and starts shaking me violently. “I told you! I can't believe it. This is really going to happen.”
    Susan takes a sip of red wine. “It's a real offer, if you want it.”
    “Absolutely,” Brooke jumps in, changing her octave to something sounding uber-professional, like she always does when we're shopping somewhere expensive and she wants to know if anything is on sale. “As we said at dinner yesterday, we're completely on board.”
    “I think we all