Miss Congeniality Read Online Free Page A

knew tongues would be wagging about the daring nature of Raquel’s dress tomorrow. Her long blonde hair was arranged in a cascade of curls hanging down her right side, and she had black heels. Clare wore a powder blue dress, which reached mid-thigh, heels to match, her hair pulled back with a glittery comb.
    “Where’s your date?” Raquel asked while she sipped champagne. Brea reached for her own glass from a passing waiter before she turned to look at both women. Clare looked curious, and Raquel stared with one eyebrow raised. Brea knew why they were asking. They didn’t believe her when she said nothing was going on with Lance the other day at lunch.
    “Nate isn’t available tonight.” Nate was her old faithful, one of her best friends, and he had just started dating a new girl with whom he had recently become serious. He was always willing to stand in with her for events, and it really took the pressure off Brea to try to find a date. Although, if his relationship continued, she was probably going to have to find someone else. She was Miss Congeniality, and although she and Nate were strictly friends, the press wasn’t too forgiving if they saw you as a potential home wrecker.
    “He and Meredith are on a cruise to the Bahamas.” Nate and Meredith had been dating for six months and took the cruise to celebrate their anniversary. Brea would like to have had a date tonight, but she couldn’t begrudge him his happiness. At least one of them was in a committed relationship. Although, if the text he sent yesterday was any indication, he caught the press conference and wanted details from Brea when they returned in a couple of days. Just one more person she would have to fend off in the rapidly ‘are they or aren’t they’ saga, which was quickly becoming her norm.
    “That’s right. I forgot.” Clare’s face lit up. She and Raquel were good friends with both of them, as well, although Brea had known him longer. “How do they like it?”
    “Well, he hasn’t really talked to me a lot since they’ve been gone, not that I was expecting him to. But they’ll be back in three days, so you know I am going to hear all about it.” Brea rolled her eyes comically, thinking about Nate and his penchant for theatrics.
    Raquel chuckled. “Make sure you let him know when you pick him up that we want to know, too.”
    “Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll be blowing up your phone next week.” Brea put her now-empty champagne glass on another tray and looked around. “Where are your dates?”
    Raquel waved her hand dismissively. “I don’t know. I barely even know the guy. He is someone my PR guy set me up with. Said it would be ‘good for my image’,” she said as she made air quotes. “You know how he is. Apparently, Hunter and I both need to be seen, as the football season is heating up, and he seems pretty nice, so it’s fine.” Raquel’s PR rep was often trying to set her up with some date or another. He felt she could promote a more positive image this way. He assumed if she was with a reputable celebrity—be they athlete, musician, or actor—she would become more reputable by association. It never appeared to work, and sometimes it seemed to backfire; especially when said date went to the press and reported any behavior, sexual or otherwise, they thought would put them into the spotlight.
    “Hey, babe.” Jason sidled in behind Clare and kissed her neck below her ear. Clare looked at the Misses, giving a nervous chuckle as she moved out of his hold.
    Okay , Brea thought, clearly there is trouble in paradise.
    “Hey, Jason, I thought you were entertaining Raquel’s date.” Clare turned to question him.
    “I left him by the bar.” Jason smiled sloppily and dipped his head to nuzzle Clare’s neck.
    “Get back.” Clare pushed him back by his shoulders. She narrowed her eyes, studying his face and the way he could barely stand. “How much more have you had to drink?”
    “Clare,” he said,