Amazed, Jaclyn’s only word was, “Wow.”
Margot grabbed a spoonful of cookie dough and sucked it clean, then handed the spoon back to her sister. In her Chanel suit and perfectly coifed hair, she curled her lips in amusement. “What?”
“If only those European princes could see you in all your chocolate-chip glory,” Jaclyn said with a giggle.
“Hey, now. Your room is my safe haven from princes, paparazzi, and parents alike. You always let me do whatever I wanted. Sneak a drink or slip a guy into the house. And not once did you ever snitch on me.”
Margot dropped her matching Chanel clutch onto the chaise and hopped on the bed, pausing the chick flick playing on the television. She patted the mattress next to her in invitation. Jaclyn joined her, plopping on the bed and reliving a million different days and nights of hanging out through the highs and lows of growing up.
“Of course I had your back. You’re my sister.” Jaclyn leaned on her shoulder. “And my best friend.”
“Well, someone had to keep our blossoming Chuck Norris prim and proper.” Margot grabbed a brush from the nightstand and began dragging it through the mats in Jaclyn’s messy hair.
“Ow! Ease up, pageant mom.”
“Good God. If I brush much harder, I might dislodge a nest of squirrels.”
They both laughed.
“I always wanted a pet,” Jaclyn said, grinning.
As Margot made progress with smoothing her sister’s frayed mane, she asked, “Have you ever thought of going blond?”
Jaclyn scoffed. “Uh, no. Can you imagine? Besides, blond and beauty-pageant gorgeous was your lot in life, not mine.”
“Well, sometimes circumstances call for a change.”
Jaclyn snatched the brush away. “Ecstatic to see you or not, I’m not getting over a guy by switching it up as Malibu Jaclyn.” She started brushing the tips of her own hair, losing herself in wondering if she’d ever get over him.
“You mean Richard?”
Jaclyn set the brush down and lay back on the pillows, her disappointment barely allowing her to nod.
Margot gave her a sly look. “You know, it took some doing, but I finally convinced a friend to bleach his dark mane within an inch of its life. I told Richard it was the only way you’d give him a chance.”
Dismayed, Jaclyn gaped at her. “You?”
“Of course, me. You don’t think that smoking-hot sex symbol could win your heart all by himself?”
Jaclyn searched Margot’s eyes for a spark of enlightenment. “I don’t understand.”
“I know you don’t.” Margot strolled over to her bag to retrieve the envelope Richard had given her, and she handed it to Jaclyn. “But you will.”