Page 5 of Christmas with the Mafia
“You have a heater in the cab, don’t you, Aston?”
He nods, and I set my jaw in grim determination.
“Then lead me to my chariot. I will not cover this masterpiece. Would any of the celebrities arrive at a gala with a padded coat over their couture? Most definitely not, and I won’t be the first to do so. I am making an entrance, so let’s go before I change my mind.”
Quincy shakes her head as I storm out of my condo in a cloud of perfume and bad decisions.
I am almost naked in the chill of winter, and I wonder if I have really thought this through. The blast of icy air is enough to cause my teeth to chatter on impact with thesidewalk, and my nipples are practically slashing the sequins away that dare to cover them.
I am madly envious of Quincy wrapped up like a yeti, but I will never admit that, and as I slide into the cab, I wrap my arms around my body in a vain attempt to muster some warmth before I freeze to death.
“So, this is the plan.”
Quincy briefs me as Aston cuts through the traffic as if we are in a movie with the villains hot on our tail.
“We pull up outside, and you make your grand exit onto the red carpet. Own it and act as if you have every right to be there. Wave at the paps and smile as if you are the queen they have been waiting for. That way, when you head through the doors, nobody will dare challenge you.”
“Will it work though?” I tug at my bottom lip with my teeth that won’t stop chattering.
“I mean, what if I end up going full circle in those revolving doors, my humiliation thrown into the gutter along with me?”
“Own it. Fake it until you make it and all those other clichés. Believe in your own importance, and others will. You can do this, honey; I have every faith in you.”
“You’re right. I can do this. I am a celebrity. I influence people in their choices in life.”
Quincy stares at me with a thoughtful expression.
“Out of interest though, honey, who influenced your choice of outfit for tonight?”
“I told you; it’s bang on trend.”
I don’t miss that Aston’s eyes linger a little too long in the mirror and I shift to cross my legs against the fact thesheer fabric may be revealing a little more than I would like it to.
Note to self—do not sit down tonight.
I must glide around the ballroom as if I am on rails, not six-inch heels that came from the thrift store and are a size too small.
Like everything in my life, they appeared to be a good idea at the time, and I am left regretting my impulsive nature as I face the fact I really shouldn’t have considered myself as an adult. My choices sometimes lack common sense, and I hate to admit it, but a little black dress is mighty appealing right now.
“We’re there!” Quincy gasps as the cab joins the line of limos that snake up to the red carpet of the Diamond Hotel.
“Oh my God!” I squeal as the ice palace comes into view, a projection of diamonds and ice covering the exclusive façade with magic, transforming it into Cinderella’s castle or Elsa’s magic one in the Arctic.
“I’m really doing this?” I grip her arm tightly, wishing the padded fabric was wrapped around my body and not hers right now because what the hell was I thinking? I’m practically naked.
“I can’t do this.”
My voice falters, and Quincy actually growls. “You can. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen? They refuse you entry. You will be notorious and can film indignantly from the entrance, telling your followers about the injustice you have been done at Christmas no less.”
“I’m not going through with this.”
“Go for it, honey.” Aston’s gruff voice comes from the driver’s seat like an act of God.
I stare at Quincy in surprise as he says gruffly, “This is your opportunity. Don’t turn away from the ones that do come your way because not many do in life.”
Quincy’s eyes widen. “Wow, Aston, since when were you a philosopher?”
He shrugs. “I’m a cab driver. I hear it all and know enough to repeat that you shouldn’t shy away from opportunity. Only the brave get to reap the rewards outside their comfort zone.”
