A Week at the Lake Read Online Free PDF Page B

than five minutes after takeoff. And although I’d like to pretend my beauty is natural, I need a lot more beauty products than can be crammed into a quart-sized ziplock bag.” She hugged Mackenzie lightly and kissed the air near both cheeks. “Anyway, Emma’s arranged a car and driver, so I might as well have everything I’ll need.”
    They contemplated each other for a long moment before Serena added, “I forgot how tall you are.”
    â€œAnd I forgot that you’re practically a midget.” The insult rolled automatically off her lips, though Serena was in fact slightly taller than average and was often referred to as “statuesque.”
    â€œHey, I’d gladly borrow an inch or two so that I couldwear lower heels. My feet are completely pissed off and I’ve only been on them for a matter of minutes.”
    Mackenzie laughed. “Well, we can’t have your digits angry at you. I hope you have a pair of flip-flops in one of those bags.”
    â€œOf course I do. It’s just finding them that might be a problem.”
    â€œGeorgia!” Parts of the sea stopped surging to form a small crowd. “Miss Goodbody!” There was pointing and some laughter. Serena turned to smile and wave, but her body was as tight as her facial muscles.
    â€œWhere’s your fan, Georgia?” a middle-aged man laughed.
    â€œI seem to have left that at home,” she replied in a teasing tone. “So you’re safe for the moment.”
    â€œWhere are you headed? To work out?” a middle-aged woman tittered, though Serena was clearly not dressed for the gym. Georgia Goodbody spent a lot of time with her private trainer maintaining her “good body.”
    â€œI’m done for the day, thank goodness,” she replied in the drawl that had made Georgia and her famous. “You all have a nice day now, you hear?” Gently, she turned her back on her impromptu audience. “At home I could have added a ‘bless your heart’ and she would have known I was telling her to take a hike. Here I’m always afraid someone will think it’s a religious comment.” Serena kept her eyes on Mackenzie’s face. Her shoulders and her smile softened as the crowd dispersed.
    â€œThat’s what you get for being famous,” Mackenzie said.
    â€œI know. And I don’t ever want to seem ungrateful. But let us not forget I’m famous for being a sexy cartoon character. It’s kind of hard to take that seriously.
    â€œSo, how’s Adam?” Serena asked as they headed back to the cab.
    â€œGood. He’s on his way to LA to pitch a new screenplay.”
    â€œThat’s great.” Serena looked at her closely. “And you?”
    â€œGood. Everything’s good. The theater’s . . . good. I brought pictures from our production of
Annie
. The kids wereunbelievably adorable. And the blog keeps growing.” Mackenzie shrugged. “Noblesville isn’t exactly the fast lane, but it’s fast enough for me.” She immediately regretted her defensive tone. “Do you think one of us should text Emma and let her know we’re on our way?”
    â€œI’ll do it,” Serena said as the driver slammed the trunk shut and held open the door, perspiration dotting his forehead and his smile more than a little strained. She pulled out her phone. “Oh, my God!” she said, looking down at the screen, her face twisted into a grimace of surprise, which turned into an expression of horror.
    â€œWhat is it?” Mackenzie asked. “What’s going on?”
    â€œThere’s a text from Zoe! Emma was hit by a car earlier this afternoon!” Serena leaned over the seat. “We need to get to Mount Sinai Hospital as quickly as possible!”
    â€œOh, my God!”
    Serena’s thumbs moved over her phone’s keyboard as the cab began to inch back into traffic. When she got no response,