Dial L for Loser by Lisi Harrison Page A

think she could star in a movie? Having the lead in a few school plays back in Florida hardly qualified her as an actress. Massie and Alicia had even less experience, but they were Massie and Alicia. What else did they need?
    Claire slid her fingers into the back pocket of her tight cutoffs and wrapped her hand around the miniature Aveda beauty bar. Then, as if wiping away a loose booger, she brushed the soap past her nostril and inhaled deeply. The combination of mint and flowers instantly calmed her nerves.
    When the elevator doors opened, Massie lifted her chin and stepped into the bustling lobby.
    “Oh, they look so glamorous, don’t they, Kendra?” shrieked Judi.
    Everyone turned to see who she was talking about.
    “Puh-lease tell your mother to chill.” Massie practically spat the words.
    “Girls, go stand by that fountain so I can take a picture.” Judi lifted a disposable camera out of a plastic Le Baccarat bag, normally used for trash, and waved it around. “Your grandparents will be so excited to see—”
    “Look, that must be Emma.” Massie grabbed Claire and Alicia and dragged them toward the dimly lit lounge.
    Claire glanced back at her mother and flashed an I’d-love-to-stay-but-I’m-being-taken-against-my-will look, hoping it would explain the lost photo op.
    Emma was in an oversize wing chair, talking on her cell. Just as she’d said she would be, she was dressed in a white linen pantsuit. “Royt, then, sounds good,” her voice boomed in a thick British accent. “The girls ah he-ah. Gohdda jump.” She dropped the phone into her blazer pocket.
    Even though she was from England, Emma reminded Claire of the students at University of Central Florida. She had straight blond hair and wispy bangs. Her hazel eyes were lined with blue kohl and her lipstick was pink. Her B-cups weren’t enhanced, her nose had a small bump, and her hand-bag didn’t resemble luggage. Claire liked her immediately.
    “Sorry ’bout that.” She sighed. “The press has been up me bum all moh-ning. The-hh desperate to find out who will be replacing Hadley.”
    “Aren’t we all.” Alicia clutched her stomach.
    Claire nodded.
    “Look no further.” Massie curtsied.
    Emma threw her head back and laughed.
    Alicia rolled her eyes.
    Claire sighed, letting Alicia know that Massie’s blatant campaigning annoyed her too.
    “Emma, I’d like you to meet my manager.” Massie waved her mother over. Judi followed.
    “Pleasure to meet you.” Kendra offered her right hand. A landslide of diamond tennis bracelets fell toward her bony wrist.
    “And this is my mom.” Claire pulled Judi into the circle.
    “We are so excited to be here. Thanks for having us,” Judi gushed, as if Emma had invited them to stay in her house and offered up her bed.
    “So, are we ready?” Massie interrupted. “We don’t want to keep Rupert waiting.”
    “I like that.” Emma smiled. “A true professional.”
    “I try.”
    Claire wondered if she should bother auditioning. If she left now, she could be back under her covers IM’ing Cam before dinner.
    “So, what do the chaperones do while the girls are auditioning?” Kendra slid her oversize Chanel sunglasses over her eyes.
    “Ru-puhht would prefeh it if you stayed back heh. You know, so the guhls can really focus.”
    Claire felt a pinch of guilt because her mom had been excited to see Gelding Studios. But mostly she was relieved. When it came to getting crushed by Massie Block and Alicia Rivera, the fewer witnesses, the better.
    “Hmmm.” Kendra turned to Judi. “Have you ever been to Rodeo Drive?”
    Judi adjusted her yellow visor. “No.”
    “You’ll love it. It’s like Fifth Avenue without the fur.” Kendra winked at Massie.
    “Ready, then?” Emma signaled her driver, who pulled up to the curb in a white Escalade.
    “Ready,” they all said at once.
    “Apple-C!”
    “Good luck, girls!” Kendra and Judi doled out a round of hugs, then stepped into a taxi by the valet stand.