CHAPTER TEN

 

 

I never really thought lime green was my color, but looking at myself now in the bathroom mirror, it turns out I can definitely rock it.

The front of the loose-fitting tee is emblazoned with the Fostering Tomorrow logo I designed and the charity has asked Sutton, Liv, and me to wear the shirts for the event in LA today. While I’ve simply tucked the shirt into my shorts so it doesn’t fit like a potato sack, Liv has meticulously snipped a few fashionable holes in hers so that it’s morphed from a regular unisex tee to an off-the-shoulder, cute-as-hell top. Sutton, meanwhile, has deftly knotted it above one of her slender hips so it shows off her flawless figure.

I smile at my reflection. I can hardly believe that the day of the charity’s fundraiser has already arrived. The past month has been a busy blur of video recordings, photoshoots, heartache, and business meetings.

Laura Randolph, the chair of Fostering Tomorrow, has asked me to be one of the main hosts of the event since it’s a cause so dear to me, but Sutton and Liv are coming along to support me—and to snap lots of pictures for our social media, of course. The best part of G&G’s fan base is how much they’re willing to give back when we amplify the voices of the various charities that we work with. I can’t wait to see how much money we raise for Fostering Tomorrow by the end of the day. Something tells me it’s going to be a lot.

“It’s nice to see you smiling again,” Sutton remarks as she pops into my bathroom. She holds out a tube of lip gloss. “Can you?”

I take the gloss and take off the cap, then apply it to her plump lips. “I’m always smiling.”

It’s true, even when I don’t want it to be.

“Yeah, I know,” she answers, barely holding still long enough for me to help her with her makeup. “But this smile seems for real.”

I’m too busy making sure the gloss is perfect to argue and the second I’m done, she bounces out of the bathroom.

“You better hurry up, babe!” she calls back over her shoulder. “We’re going to be late for your big day if we don’t get a move on. Liv is already waiting by the car.”

I check the time and gulp. I chase after her, pausing just long enough to plant a kiss on George’s head before grabbing my purse and sunglasses and racing outside. It’s yet another beautiful morning in California. There isn’t a cloud in the sapphire sky and the weather is perfectly warm. When I slide into the backseat of Liv’s bright pink hybrid car, the leather seat sticks to my legs.

Liv steers the car away from our bungalow and I halfheartedly listen as my two besties mess with the radio and giggle together.

I gaze out the window, watching the palm trees and the sandy beach fly by. It’s been a whole four weeks since Grayson and I had that disastrous first date, and though I’ve been completely swamped with work, he still worms his way into my thoughts constantly. Sometimes, I’ll just be lying in bed and his beautiful brown eyes will appear in my mind or I’ll hear his husky laugh. It’s haunting and painful, not to mention frustrating. I’ve never been hung up on a guy before.

At least, work has been as constant as ever and has been there to distract me. I’ll always have that to fall back on, which is good, I suppose. But ever since meeting Grayson, I’ve started wondering what else there is to life. I’ve always been focused on my career, but the feelings inside of me that stirred in my soul when I was around Grayson has made me question everything.

I love my job and my friends, but my heart yearns for more now.

“Earth to Kali!” Sutton says.

She has my door open and is leaning down toward me. She waves a hand in front of my face until I jolt back to reality.

Behind my sunglasses, I blink hard, realizing that at some point, Liv has parked the car and I’ve spent the entire drive to LA in a haze. Liv idly leans against the side of the car beside Sutton, eyeing me curiously.

“You feeling okay, girl?” Liv asks, worry scrunching her pretty face.

I nod and quickly climb out of the car before forcing another smile. “Of course! I didn’t sleep great last night. I guess because I’m so excited for today. You know what I mean?”

“Sure,” she says, but there’s a little bit of skepticism in her voice.

“If you want to take a sec to talk—” Sutton starts, but I shake my head. We don’t have time for that, and I’m not sure I’m ready to lay my heart bare for them today of all days when I haven’t done it during the past month.

Clearing my throat, I march determinedly past my besties toward the basketball stadium where the Fostering Tomorrow event is being held. It’s set to start any minute and I need to find Laura beforehand to make sure the setup has gone without a hitch.

We’d agreed on hosting a day of Olympics style games for the underprivileged children in the city, the majority of which are foster kids like I was. They’ll get to let loose and have a blast while the staff plays referees. Local businesses have agreed to cater the food and any funds will funnel right back into the charity, which sets up scholarships for the kids in need. Attendees can buy raffle tickets and enjoy some scrumptious food while bidding on some special G&G gear Sutton, Liv, and I are auctioning off, which I know will help raise some serious cash.

“Kali! You’re just in time!”

A tall woman with shoulder-length, curly red hair and wearing the event’s familiar lime green shirt hurries over to us the moment we step inside, a smile on her face.

“Hey, Laura!” I say, returning her smile as I take in the different games that have been set up. “It looks amazing in here!”

There are hurdle races, a small volleyball net, and a water balloon station. There’s even tug of war and a three-legged race. They’d let one of the basketball hoops down too so that the kids can play. I can’t wait to see their faces get a look at all of this.

The chair of the charity hooks her arm around mine and pulls me toward where the stage has been set up. “Doesn’t it? I’m so thrilled with it. And you should hear the kids going on and on about you three girls being here. We’re just finalizing the staffing teams. I’ve got Sutton and Liv paired together to handle the raffle station, but because you’re one of our hosts, I need you close by.”

“Sounds good to me,” I say.

“I’m putting you by the stage so I can bring you up there for some announcements throughout the day. That means you’ll be working the water balloon toss.” Laura gives me an apologetic smile. “On the downside, that means your clothes will probably get wet at some point. Hope that’s okay?”

I grin. “Perfectly okay.”

Laura beams. “Fantastic! We’re about to let the attendees in, so I’m going to get the party started. I was hoping you could say a few short words too?”

I eagerly nod. “I’d be honored!”

Around us, people are starting to swarm in through the open doors. A sea of young people, from knee-high children to high schoolers, file in closest to the stage. They all look excited and eager to start this day of games and it makes my whole soul feel warm.

This is just what I need to put Grayson completely behind me once and for all.

Laura hurries up onto the stage and takes her place behind the podium.

“Welcome, everyone!” Laura says into the microphone. “Fostering Tomorrow is so excited to have you all here. The goal of today is to have lots of fun and raise lots of money for scholarships for these special young people who’ve had a bit of a struggle in their lives. Before we get things started, I’m proud to introduce Kali Lang of Glossed & Glammed fame.”

Around me, the crowd cheers wildly while Laura grins and ushers me up onto the stage with her. I eagerly jog up the steps and move over to stand beside her.

“Kali reached out to me a few months ago, saying that she wanted to help spread awareness for Fostering Tomorrow and she’s been instrumental in helping us organize this event ever since,” Laura continued. “Her Glammers have already donated over ten thousand dollars this month alone, of which Glossed & Glammed is going to match every penny from their own pockets. Whatever we earn today, these lovely ladies are going to triple! Please put a hand together for Glossed & Glammed, everyone!”

As the crowd cheers again, a smiling Laura gestures toward the microphone and I step closer.

Hesitating just for a moment, I take a deep breath even though my knees are trembling. I’m used to being in front of the camera, where I can carefully pick and choose my words, but speaking live to a crowd still makes me nervous no matter how many people tune in to our YouTube channel every day. Even when we do live sessions on social media, there’s still a camera between us and our audience. Here, I can feel every pair of eyes directed my way.

“Hi, everyone!” I start slowly. My voice shakes a little and I clear my throat before continuing. “I’ve enjoyed every moment of working with Fostering Tomorrow because it’s a cause near and dear to my own heart. As a foster child myself, I often found myself wondering where my future would lead. I got lucky with my scholarship, but Fostering Tomorrow is going to open so many more doors for so many more young people. I can’t wait to get to know you all and meet every one of you, so let’s jump right into these games!”

As the crowd claps, several staff members immediately start herding the crowd of kids in different directions. Sutton and Liv wave at me from across the stadium, where they’ve been posted at the raffle table. I wave back just as Laura puts a hand on my shoulder.

“I’ve found your partner for the water balloon toss,” Laura whispers in my ear.

I turn around to smile and greet whoever it is I’m paired up with—only to stare. My partner is none other than Grayson Hill.

His expression is unreadable, but he seems as stunned as I am. The second our gazes collide, I swear my heart drops from my chest to my feet. I blink, expecting him to vanish like a mirage, but that hunky lawyer isn’t going anywhere.

I don’t know if I’m relieved he’s really standing here in front of me or not.

“Kali, this is Grayson Hill,” Laura says, introducing us. “He’s an attorney who’s been doing some pro bono legal work for us. Something tells me the two of you will be great together.”

Oh, Laura. If only you knew how wrong you are about that.