Free Ciao by Melody Carlson Page A

think this is going to ratchet up her little revenge plan?” Mom glances nervously at Paige. “I know I promised to hold back, but I can’t let her do anything too irresponsible, can I?”
    “No, of course not. It’s not like we want her to end up in jail or court.” I hold up my phone. “And that reminds me. I asked Fran about being our phone-a-friend.”
    “Phone-a-friend?”
    “Yeah, kind of an absentee consultant. She said it’s okay for you to call or email her with questions. And if she’s up to it, she’ll advise you.”
    “That’s sweet. How’s she doing, anyway?”
    “She says she feels stronger every day. I think part of it is just the relief of having the transplant behind her now, because it’s probably too early for real results.” I email my mom Fran’s phone number and email address. “There, you can reach her whenever you want to now.”
    “I don’t want to disturb her.”
    “Then just email or text her. She can decide whether or not to respond.” I pause to hear the PA announcement. “Looks like we can load now.”
    “That was for first class.”
    I grin at her. “I know.”
    She laughs then reaches for her carry-on. “Oh, I forgot.” Soon we’re seated, but Paige is still glued to her iPhone.I can tell by her expression the news is not good. “How’s it going?” I ask.
    “I want to kill her.”
    “When did she say all this anyway?”
    “In an interview with
Couture
magazine. At least that’s what they seem to be quoting from. But the magazine hasn’t even hit the newsstands yet, so apparently there’s a mole somewhere.”
    “Why would
Couture
even want to interview Eliza in the first place?”
    “Because of her partnership with Rhiannon. And don’t forget that Katherine Carter mentored both of those girls, and she still has deep connections with that magazine.”
    “That’s true.”
    “There can only be one reason Eliza is saying this stuff.”
    “What?”
    “She’s trying to get Dylan.”
    “Seems to me it’d be hard to get anyone who didn’t want to be gotten.”
    Paige frowns and actually looks close to tears.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant that Eliza can do all kinds of crazy stuff, but if Dylan isn’t into her, what’s the worry?”
    Paige just shrugs, tossing her phone into her bag.
    “Is it possible they got the Eliza quotes wrong?” I ask. “I mean, consider the source. How often do they get this stuff right?”
    “I suppose that’s a possibility. But usually there’s a grain of truth in their stories. Even if it is twisted.”
    “The truth is probably that Eliza
wishes
she could get Dylan.”
    Paige opens her fashion magazine, flipping through the pages so quickly, I’m sure she’s not even looking. I have nothing more to say, so I pull my book from my bag. I started Jane Austen’s
Pride and Prejudice
a couple of days ago and, although the book was written two centuries ago, I’m surprised at how relevant it still is today. In fact, in some ways the two older sisters—Jane and Elizabeth—remind me of Paige and me. Well, except that Jane (the pretty sister and the one who would be Paige) is quite shy. My sister is anything but shy.
    It’s a little past six when we collect our bags in JFK, and we’re on our way to our town car when Paige stops in her tracks, pointing toward the doors. And there is Dylan, waving at her.
    “Did you know he was meeting your flight?” Mom asks her.
    “No.” Paige looks uncertain. “What do I do?”
    “It’s up to you,” Mom says calmly.
    When we reach the doors, Dylan is smiling. “I have a cab waiting,” he tells Paige.
    “Our town car is already here,” Paige replies in a snooty tone.
    His disappointment is obvious. “Oh …”
    Mom and I exchange stilted greetings with him as we make our way out to the crowded sidewalk, where passengers are securing transportation. I wave to the driver who is holding a sign that says
Forrester.
“There’s our ride,” I tell Mom.