Emma: Lights! Camera! Cupcakes! Read Online Free PDF Page A

away from me. I thought if I opened my mouth, I might give something away, but I felt like such a loser being mute.
    I was scared and wished I could think of something clever to say to get this guy away from me.
    My dad took a look at the guy keeping pace with me, and my fear and anger must’ve been written all over my face, because he came running around the front of the car and yelled, “Hey! You! Back off! You stay away from my daughter right now!” I had only heard him yell like that a few times, and it surprised me.
    The reporter looked over in surprise. He put up his hands in the universal I surrender pose as I bolted into the back of the car.
    â€œWhat the heck is going on here?” my dad asked, wheeling to face me.
    â€œHe’s a reporter. From Celebrity magazine. He wanted to know about Romaine Ford’s wedding dress.” I punched the door’s close button, and the door began to slide shut.
    â€œStay away from us! And get a life!” yelled mydad. I hadn’t seen him so mad in ages.
    Luckily, the reporter turned on his heel and quick marched back into the mall. My dad was muttering and returned to the front seat and shut his door.
    â€œThat guy had a lotta nerve!” he growled. “Chasing a child!”
    I was shaking a little now. That had been scary, and it all happened so fast.
    â€œI . . . I didn’t know what to say . . . I was tongue-tied!” I said. I felt embarrassed.
    â€œGood. I’m glad you didn’t say a thing to that guy. You know you never, ever talk to strangers, and you always run and yell, like we taught you.” My dad looked at me in the rearview mirror. “I’m sorry that happened to you, sweetie. You did the right thing. Exactly the right thing. Never talk to strangers. And especially not to the press. And especially not about Romaine Ford. Mona and Romaine both trust you, and you always have to be true to your word.” He raked his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath. “I can’t wait till this whole premiere thing blows over. It’s ruining this town.”
    â€œI know,” I agreed, and looked out the window.
    And it’s not just a premiere . . ., I added silently.

CHAPTER 4
Know-It-Alls
    I couldn’t wait for my mom to get home from Matt’s game that morning. I was totally on edge, dying to talk to someone about the morning but completely unable to talk to my friends about it. Thank goodness I had no plans with them for the rest of the day or I would have burst.
    Finally, I heard her car in the driveway, and I bolted down from my room, where I’d been practicing my flute, and careened out the back door to see her.
    â€œEmma! My heavens! Is everything okay?” she said, spying me in my socks and cozy pants out in the driveway.
    Matt clambered out of the front seat in his baseball uniform and looked me up and down fromhead to toe, then just shook his head and walked inside.
    â€œMom!” I whispered loudly.
    â€œWhat?” she whispered loudly back with a grin. She shut her car door and came around the back to me.
    â€œMom, be serious! I have to talk to you!” I said.
    â€œHere?” she said, looking around. “Is the house bugged?”
    I sighed. “When you are ready to be serious, then we can talk.” I tapped my socked foot on the blacktop.
    My mom threw her arm around me and gave me a sideways squeeze. “I’m sorry, Emmy. You’re just being so funny. What’s up?”
    â€œMom, I’ve got to tell you something I’m not allowed to tell anyone!”
    My mom looked mock-offended. “I’m not anyone? Gee, thanks!”
    Finally, I blurted it all out in one sentence without stopping. “Mom, Romaine Ford is getting married next Saturday, and she’s asked me to do the cupcakes instead of a wedding cake, but I can’t tell anyone, and now I have to do it all by