"Oh, I can tell you're excited. Everyone can."
"You do look wicked hot," I called from across the room.
"Is that him?" Tori squealed. "Is he always that nice? It sounds like he really likes you!"
Lo looked absolutely livid. "Tori, I'm assuming from everything you've said that you approve of my dress. As my stylist, do I have your permission to go out like this?"
"As your stylist, I absolutely approve of that dress. Go forth and have fun." It sounded as if Tori was trying to be serious.
"As my best friend, do you understand that I'm totally pissed at you and I'm going to hang up now?" Lo asked.
"As your best friend, I thoroughly understand your position."
"One more thing—Kyle and I are heading to Boston tomorrow. He has a meeting. Can you deal with the travel arrangements for me?"
"Ooooh, an east coast getaway!"
Lo glared at the computer screen, and Tori stopped.
She cleared her throat. "Of course," Tori said primly, pretending to be all business. "I can take care of that." She cleared her throat again. "But do you acknowledge that you have to call me tomorrow morning and tell me everything?"
Lo smiled indulgently. "Of course I'll call you tomorrow. You're still my BFF." She closed the computer and looked at me. "Sorry about that. Tori gets a little… excited for me sometimes."
"Someone who's rooting for you is my kind of gal. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her, but I'm looking forward to it." I grinned at her. Her face was still flushed, but she looked as though she was trying to pull herself together. "Are you ready for our fabulous evening out, princess?"
"Only if you stop calling me princess."
"Okay, boss," I said and reached for her hand.
She took a deep breath. "Oh, I don't want to do this. I really hate clubs."
"I got you." I squeezed her hand and tried to calm her. "Let's just do this tonight, and we can leave tomorrow for Boston. We'll hide out there."
"But you know what we're going to there is probably just as bad as what we're leaving."
I nodded. "Actually, my dad is definitely worse than these guys." I jerked my thumb toward the window.
Lowell grimaced and nodded. "Oh, I remember." She looked miserable. "Can't we just put on our sweats and watch a movie tonight?"
I smiled and rubbed her hand gently, trying to calm her down. "I would love to do that, but we need to strike while the iron is hot. Think about Lucas. Think about Ellie, with her little headset. She's rooting for you."
She nodded, resigned and clearly gathering her courage. "Okay. Okay."
Of course, the press went nuts when they got a look at her. "Lowell! You look gorgeous!"
"Is that dress a statement about looking great at any size?" asked Katie from XYZ, who was headed directly to the top of my "To Punch" list.
I stopped dead in my tracks. "Are you kidding me? Did you actually just say that?"
Katie managed to look a little abashed but not enough for my liking. "I thought that after what she said the other day about being a healthy role model, this dress was some sort of statement."
She looked at us expectantly. She knew full well that Lowell still couldn't afford to say no comment or, worse, have an outburst.
Lowell gave Katie a brave smile. "This dress is totally a statement piece. Guess what this statement is?"
A million flashes went off.
"I'm guessing the real statement is geared at Katie and that it's unprintable," I whispered into Lowell's ear.