chapter 23

“Okay, I think I just broke my arm carrying your mail, your highness,” said Douglas, dropping a thick stack of invitations on Julia’s bed with a thud.

Julia, still sleepy, lifted an eyebrow to see what Douglas was talking about.

“Judging from some of those return addresses, you’re either being confused with a Rockefeller, or there’s a Julia Pearce somewhere out there who is looking for all of her charity ball invitations.”

Julia sat up in bed and sifted through the pile. There were letters from the Fight Obesity Ball, the GROG (Get Rid of Gangrene) Women’s network, the American Ballet Company, the St. Petersburg Ballet Company, the Miami Ballet Company, and the Ladies Against Female Circumcision luncheon. Were they kidding? There were personal dinner party invitations from couples whom Julia had barely heard of: Franny and Monty Corcoran? Brooke and Stone Lutz? Rupert and Amanda Wingate? Who were these people?

“Darling, you’ve gotten very fancy,” said Douglas, ripping through the invitations with Julia.

“Oh please, I just have a fancy job.”

“I don’t think so! Oh my God!”

“What?”

Douglas put his hand to his heart dramatically. “You’re fucking on this invitation. You’re on the junior committee!”

“What? Let me see that,” said Julia, grabbing it out of Douglas’s hand. And sure enough, there she was. Between Lydia Parth and Rosemary Peniston was her name, Julia Pearce. She was asking people to come to the Fight Xenops Extinction Ball.

“No one told me!”

“Oh my God, you are so major! Major!”

Julia was at first annoyed that they’d put her name on without asking, but then flattered. Wow. She was on a committee? She was getting noticed! That was pretty major!

“Just don’t let it go to your head, sweetie.”

“I won’t. Obviously, it’s no biggie.”

But when Julia was taking a shower, she indulged herself a little and did let it go to her head. Things were happening. This was major. She was hanging out with some of the most elite and powerful girls in town, she was getting designer clothes thrown at her, she was now on charity committees. What was next? She could definitely get used to this life. The fun was about to begin. And let it. Why shouldn’t she take advantage? All of the girls seemed totally genuine, nice. She’d of course watch her back, but why not jump in?