Page 15 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
“It’s your last day in New York, so I thought we’d spend it together.” Jennifer’s brows knitted together as she watched Caroline suspiciously. “Unless you’re going to ditch me for Brad.”
“No,” Caroline said, smiling at Jennifer. “How would you like to go to a yacht party in the afternoon?”
“A yacht party?” Jennifer looked at her, intrigued. “Tell me more.”
“Brad has invitedusto—” Caroline looked at his message and read, “The Blackwell’s birthday party upon the Black Tulip docked at the New York Yacht Club.”
“Did you just say Blackwell’s?” Jennifer gasped. “
“I believe so!” Caroline frowned as she looked at her friend.
“The Blackwells?” Jennifer asked her to clarify.
“That’s what Brad’s message says.” Caroline nodded.
“Yes!” Jennifer nodded. “Wow! Caz!” She breathed excitedly. “That’s fantastic.”
“Who are the Blackwells?” Caroline asked her.
“How can you not know who the Blackwells are?” Jennifer gaped at her.
“I don’t!” Caroline shook her head as the cab pulled up in front of Jennifer’s apartment building.
They climbed out after Jennifer paid the cab driver and they hurried inside.
“Don’t you ever read a magazine?” Jennifer said in exasperation as she let them into her apartment. “They’re onlythemost sought-after production talents in the country, if not the world.”
“Oh!” Caroline said, with a shrug as she pulled the torture devices, she thought Jennifer had paid way too much for, off her feet. “Anything you have to pay as much as you did for these shoes should at least be comfortable.”
“Beauty is pain, my friend.” Jennifer laughed. “Are we still going to thatman’shouse tomorrow?”
“If by thatman, you mean Robert, then yes.” Caroline nodded. “We have to mark the items Jules wants to have shipped to Plum Island from her childhood bedroom.”
“Fine, anything for Jules.” Jennifer got them each a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “Let’s go early.” She suggested, taking a sip of water. “Because afterward, you and I are going shopping.”
“For what?” Caroline asked.
“Outfits befitting a Blackwell yacht party!” Jennifer stated excitedly. “Do you know the kind of networking I can do for our new business ventures there?” Her eyes lit up. “That party will be filled to the brim with entertainment royalty.”
Caroline sighed resignedly and knew she wouldn’t talk Jennifer out of the shopping spree, but secretly, she was pleased her friend had suggested it. She knew Brad was rich because of his expensive clothing and his family home in Rhode Island.
“Fine, but you have to promise you won’t do your usual interrogation procedure when I introduce you to Brad,” Caroline told her.
“Nope, sorry, I can’t promise that,” Jennifer said honestly. “I know you’re having a fabulous time, and Brad has put a sparkle in your eyes I’ve not seen in years.” She took another sip of water. “But while you’re all starry-eyed, I have to be the one to make sure what’s starting as a sweet romance doesn’t turn into a country and western song.”
“Not all country songs are about heartache, you know.” Caroline rolled her eyes.
Jennifer hated country music. She said it was always full of granny falling out of wheelchairs, freight trains running over Peggy Sue, hearts being ripped out, and so on. Caroline still wasn’t quite sure what country music her friend had listened to, but she got the gist of Jennifer’s warning. Caroline knew Jennifer was only looking out for her, and she loved her all the more for it. Jennifer was her best friend, and she knew Caroline better than anyone else in this world did. They had each other’s backs.
“Of course it is!” Jennifer shuddered. “Give me good old rock and roll any day.”
“Can we talk about the party?” Caroline changed the subject.
She knew their current conversation would probably lead to Jennifer wanting to play some of her favorite rock ballads. While Caroline loved all kinds of music, her feet ached, and she was tired. She didn’t want to go to the yacht party with dark circles under her eyes.
“We’re going!” Jennifer stated and stifled a yawn. “And on that note, I suggest we get to bed.” She grinned. “We have a big day tomorrow.”
The following day, Caroline and Jennifer were up early. Caroline was amazed to find that she was still strangely energized even after a few late nights in a row.
