Free Hidden Gem by India Lee Page A

release statements regarding the matter.

- Chapter 6 -
     
    “We’re pulling into your driveway!” Madison teased.   Gemma wedged her cell phone between her ear and shoulders as she strapped on her silver jeweled Manolo sandals.   She admired the hanging rhinestones on the ankle strap as she tightened it.   “In case you’re not sure, we’re the black stretch Escalade behind your brother’s tiny wuss car.”
    “Did I hear her insult my car just now?” Gavin asked as he examined his hair in the foyer mirror.   He wore a black dress shirt untucked over a pair of dark washed Diesel jeans.
    “I’ll be right out!” Gemma said, hanging up the phone and slipping it into her Alexander McQueen silver python clutch.   She ran out into the yard just as the sun was setting.   The golden rays caught on the lighter-colored accessories, making them gleam against her black sequined Alexander Wang cocktail dress.   She couldn’t see into the limo, but she hoped they were looking.   She had thought hard about what to wear, wanting to look good but not so good that she would outshine Madison.   As if I could , Gemma thought sheepishly.
    Madison, Leah, Kate, Jillian and Lucas were already inside.   Madison and Lucas sat on one side while the three girls sat on the other.   Looking like a page ripped out of WWD in her Gucci dress, she leaned against Lucas with a leg crossed towards him.   Dangling at the end of her foot was a nude lace Valentino peep-toe pump.  
    To Leah’s dismay, Gavin plopped down next to Lucas, instantly mirroring Madison.   He snuggled up against Lucas and crossed a leg towards him, sandwiching him in the middle.   “’Sup cutie,” Gavin puckered his lips and directed his pout at Lucas.   The girls tittered as Lucas slowly backed away.
    Gemma took a seat next to the girls.   She thought Lucas looked incredibly handsome in the outfit that Madison not only chose for him, but bought for him.   He wore a cornflower blue, French-cuffed dress shirt tucked into black slacks.
    Gemma felt silly about her disappointment that no one had commented on her outfit yet.   But Madison had made a fuss about finally seeing her outfit since she was wearing black while the girls were all wearing bright colors.   She crossed her jeweled ankles and sat quietly.
    “Mr. Grey,” Gavin said, leaning over Lucas and towards Madison.   “If you could excuse me for a moment, I’d like to give your girlfriend a birthday gift.”
    “If you try to kiss me, I’ll kill you,” Madison scowled.
    “First of all, gross.   Second, I’m faithful to my man Lucas, okay?” Gavin’s emerald eyes twinkled as he pulled out a bottle of Dom Perignon from behind him.   “Happy birthday, you old bag.”   He popped the cork off expertly, though nearly hitting Leah in the shoulder.
    “Hey!” she shrieked, dodging.
    Gavin leaned over and touched her bare knee. “Shit, I’m so sorry,” he said, his eyes devoid of mischief for a second.   Leah blushed.   Gavin turned back over towards Madison.   “So, do we have champagne flutes?”
    “No, Lucas forgot,” Madison lamented.
    “Well I guess we’re chugging it from the bottle,” Gavin grinned.   He held the bottle to Madison.   “Birthday girl gets first chug.”   Madison laughed and took a sip from the bottle, careful not to spill on her dress.   Gavin quickly snatched it back to take a full swig.
    “Such a gentleman, Gavin,” Madison rolled her eyes.
    “I am. If it’s less full, it’s less likely to spill on you gorgeous ladies.   Which reminds me, here you go Lucas.”
    Lucas took a quick sip from the bottle before handing it to Gemma.
    “Here,” he said, looking straight at her for the first time since she got into the car.   She smiled at him and reached for the bottle, her fingers brushing against his.   She took a sip and handed the champagne to Jillian, who didn’t notice that Gemma and Lucas’s eyes were still locked on each other.   They