The Celebutantes Read Online Free PDF Page B

be your muse every minute of every day.”
    â€œYou could say that,” Elijah said. “Tallula’s a unique person. I’ve known her for a few years and I can honestly say that she’s more mysterious than anyone I’ve ever met. She’s still upstairs getting ready. You’ll meet her in just a few minutes.”
    â€œI can’t wait.” Madison gave her head another dramatic toss.
    Elijah glanced at his watch. “I should go and give her a call. She’s always late. It was a pleasure meeting all of you.” He dropped his steamy stare to Coco. “See you soon, I hope.”
    â€œThank you.” Madison touched his arm, hoping to distract him from her very drunk friend. “I’m looking so forward to seeing your piece, Elijah.”
    â€œAnd I’m sure Elijah would love showing it to you,” Park said, managing to keep a straight face.
    Madison’s face flushed a vibrant shade of red.
    Elijah Traymore turned and hurried out of the room.
    â€œWhat a little creep,” Park said quietly. “The nerve of him, talking to us like that.”
    â€œTotally,” Lex agreed. “At first I thought he was just coming on a little too strong, but if that was his way of introducing himself, I don’t want to see what comes next.”
    â€œI hate to say it, but I agree.” Madison gave the room a quick scan to make sure no one else could hear them. “After that introduction, I don’t know what Tallula Kayson sees in him. How in the world did he manage to score her? He seems like the kind of guy who’ll sleep with anything.”
    â€œThanks a lot!” Coco snapped.
    â€œI didn’t mean it like that,” Madison assured her. “I’m just saying that Elijah isn’t the right guy for you.”
    â€œHe’s cute,” Coco said. “And he’s smart and funny and…a great artist. And we were getting along
fine
until you barged in on us.” She pointed down to her shoes. “And I even wore my Akiko Bergstroms. Five thousand dollars a pair, thank you very much.”
    Madison made a sour face. “Please! As if he even noticed your feet. He practically jumped down Park’s dress right in front of you. Not to mention the fact that he’s very publicly involved in a very serious relationship. Did he mention that during your meet and greet?”
    â€œWell…no.” Coco folded her arms over her chest and looked away. “But he
did
say that I have a nice body.” She hiccupped again. “And…I think he’s smart and mature and very worldly.”
    â€œThat’s just the alcohol talking,” Park said. “Sober, I can tell you that he’s an immature twenty-two. And he likes himself too much. Trust me, Coco—I know his type. And besides, he’s way too old.”
    â€œBut you said he’s immature, right?” Coco quipped. The words should have sounded angry, but they came out slurred and thick, as if she were chewing a big wad of gum. She leaned against the bar as the last punch of vodka chugged through her blood. “That should even out the age difference, right?”
    Not for the first time, Madison studied her best friend and felt a stab of pity. Coco had everything going for her—an adorable body, a beautiful face, a great personality—but she never recognized any of it. When she looked in the mirror, she saw a scrawny girl with a flat chest and big feet. The really hot guys never went for her. In the society pages, she was always photographed beside someone else. It was always
Hayden Panettiere with celebutante Coco McKaid, Emma Roberts with celebutante Coco McKaid, Princes William and Harry with celebutante Coco McKaid.
It was never just
Celebutante Coco McKaid in Zac Posen.
Even at St. Cecilia’s Prep, Coco often found herself reminding classmates that
she
had just as much money as
they
did. The McKaid family owned the most