Chapter Ten: Pageant Day
402 Words
“Are you ready to strut your stuff?” Cassidy asked, fluffing Annie’s beach waves as she checked her reflection in the mirror.
Annie blew out a breath. “I was born ready.”
“Oh please,” Lila scoffed, sitting on the edge of the bed. “You were stress-eating saltwater taffy five minutes ago.”
Annie pointed a dramatic finger at her. “That was for energy. And don’t distract me, I have a swimsuit competition to win!”
Lila smiled, watching her friend twirl in front of the mirror. Annie had always wanted to be more than their small town in North Carolina. If this contest could get her to L.A., she deserved the shot.
“Lila, you have to be my hype woman today,” Annie declared. “Cassidy’s job is my glam squad. You are in charge of making sure I don’t trip on stage.”
“Oh, great. The fate of your Hollywood dreams rest in my hands,” Lila said dryly.
Cassidy laughed. “No pressure.”
Annie struck a pose. “Ladies, we are about to take Myrtle Beach by storm.” The crowd was electric. Music blasted from the speakers, the judges sat with sunglasses perched on their noses, and the stage was set on the sandy shore, overlooking the waves.
“Contestant number five, Annie Carter!” the announcer boomed over the microphone.
Lila and Cassidy screamed as Annie strutted onto the stage, confidence radiating from every step.
“She looks amazing,” Cassidy whispered.
Lila nodded, but her stomach was in knots. Not because of Annie. Because she had just spotted Noah near the edge of the crowd. And he wasn’t alone.
A stunning brunette stood beside him, her arm linked through his. She laughed at something he said, leaning into him like she belonged there.
Lila felt like she had been punched in the gut.
Cassidy followed her gaze and frowned. “Uh-oh. Who is she?”
Lila shook her head. “I have no idea.”
Cassidy narrowed her eyes. “Well, if she’s a problem, we can always dump a piña colada on her head.”
Lila let out a weak laugh. “Let’s wait and see first.”
But as she watched Noah lean in, whispering something to the girl that made her giggle, Lila felt her stomach twist.
Maybe this had been a mistake all along.
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