Knowing, too, that the surest way for her to convince Kacey that she had no interest in Jem Bridges was to see him go gaga over her sister. It worked every time. If her goal was to never have a boyfriend.
Which, this time, it was.
“Kacey really is my best friend,” she said now. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
“Where is she visiting from?”
“She owns a condo in Beverly Hills.”
That was a sure head turner.
“Really.” Jem nodded, glancing at Levi and then back at Lacey. “I like the city, but I’d never want to live there.”
“You’ve never been to Kacey’s place. The pool alone is on half an acre of paradise.”
“So why didn’t you stay there?”
“I wanted...”
To be out from underneath my sister’s shadow.
“A home.” Lame, Lacey. Really lame. “A house, I mean.”
“So you have a house here in town?”
“A couple of blocks over.”
“You walked here?”
“I do most nights. Even in the winter. It’s one of the reasons I bought the house. It was close to the beach.”
He wondered where she lived. He wanted to know about Kacey—that internal reminder put a stop to her wondering.
“Kacey’s a movie star, Dad! On TV like Whyatt Beanstalk!” Levi’s voice boomed over several tables as he named the star of Super Why!, one of his current favorite videos.
“Inside voice, son,” Jem said while people all around them turned to stare.
“Don’t worry, they won’t know me. Not without my wig and pounds of makeup,” Kacey told Jem. She didn’t lean over, didn’t make eye contact. But it wouldn’t matter.
He’d be leaning in her direction any second now.
“Tell him,” Levi said. “You said you’re on TV...”
“I said Lacey and I both were on TV.”
Lacey could feel the heat creeping up her skin. Kacey knew she hated to be outed.
“But you aren’t anymore.” Jem’s half question was aimed at her.
“Kacey is. She’s Doria Endlin from The Rich and Loyal.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I don’t watch daytime television.” He smiled at Kacey.
That was that. Lacey glanced at Levi, then prepared to relax and enjoy lunch with the little boy.
“What show were you on?”
It took her a second, and a miraculously well-placed kick from under the table, for Lacey to know that Jem had been directing the question at her.