Chapter Text
"Will you marry me?"
Gina Porter stares at the man kneeling beneath her in shock. He opens a black velvet box, revealing a shiny twenty-four-karat ring with a big, flashy diamond at the center. It's a little extravagant for her taste and a blatant sign of how little he knows her.
A chorus of 'aws' echo around them and she glances at the crowd that's suddenly formed. A dozen phones are filming them and Gina shuts her eyes tightly. This can't be happening. Her agents and the media are going to have a field day with this.
She's quick to pull him up, her eyes wide as saucers. "Elton, can we please talk about this." She shoots him a pointed look. "In private." She emphasizes, casting a glance at their growing audience.
His broad smile falters for a moment. He glances at the people watching and his smile rights itself but this time it's forced and strained. "Gina, just say yes." He urges, his voice tight and hushed.
"Come on! Say yes!" Someone yells from the crowd.
"If you don't marry him then I will!" Another voice chimes in.
"I'm sorry. I... can't." She apologizes.
Gasps emit from the crowd as Gina pushes her way out of the restaurant and she ignores EJ's calls after her. She tries not to think about the catastrophic effects this will have on her life tomorrow. I mean, how bad could the backlash be? The world couldn't be that invested in her love life anyway... right?
Gina’s proven very wrong. The headlines are plastered everywhere the next day: 'Gina Porter rejects American Hearthrob, EJ Caswell's proposal'. They're all different variations saying the same thing: she's a heartless bitch. To quote her management team, she's a pariah and ice queen in the eyes of the world.
She's forced to spend her weekend doing damage control. She turns off her comments on Instagram where people are leaving nasty (albeit creative) insults. Her favorite is the one that says: 'Gina should've played Elsa in the Frozen documentary because she's an ice-cold shrew'.
She also releases a public statement written by her management team stating that she truly does care for EJ but they want different things from their relationship and blah, blah, blah.
Her decision to call EJ and apologize is of her own volition. When all her calls go to voicemail, she settles for a text that reads: 'can we please talk'. As expected, she's left on delivered.
When there are no more PR strategies left to exhaust, she slumps into her queen bed, burrowing under her expensive silk sheets (her smartest investment). She stays there for days, only getting up to grab food and use the bathroom.
After three days of moping in her bed with a carton of ice cream and a sitcom, she hears a knock at her door. She reluctantly sulks out of bed, groaning when she sees what’s through the peephole. “Go away."
Kourtney holds up a bottle of wine in front of her where she can see it. "I brought liquor. Let us in." She demands.
She hesitates, "Is that the Chardonnay from the vineyard we visited in France?"
Kourt smirks. "You mean, your favorite? Yes." She answers smugly.
Gina's embarrassed at how quickly she caves, opening the door and snatching it out of her friend's hands. "I don't want to talk about it." She warns.
Kourtney heads straight toward her cupboards, opening the one where the wine glasses are located. "Okay. No talking, just drinking." She agrees.
She skeptically glances at Ashlyn who trails in behind her. "Aren't you supposed to be pissed at me for breaking your cousin's fragile heart?"
Ash snorts. "Oh please. I caught him last night rebounding with a fan. I think he's fine."
"Ugh, what a pig," Gina wrinkles her nose in distaste. It slips her mind that they're family. "No offense Ash!" She quickly adds.
"None taken. I love EJ but he's kinda an asshole." She squeezes Gina's arm in support. "Marriage or not, you'll always be family Gina."
Kourt hands her a glass and begins to pour. When she moves to stop, Gina coughs, raising a brow and indicating for her to continue. "We've only been dating for five months! Eight, if you count our failed high school relationship. The acceptable length is three years minimum! Everyone knows that."
"Ricky didn't and you were ready to say yes then." Ash reminds her tentatively and Kourtney elbows her. "What! Just saying!"
Gina's heart stops at the name. She takes a long sip from her glass, draining most of it in one gulp, and Ash and Kourt exchange a look. "That was different. Ricky and I were..." She trails off, a strange wistfulness washing over her. "Nevermind. It doesn't matter what we were. Also, I thought we agreed to never mention his name." She glares at Ash who gulps, shrinking down.
Gina motions for her glass to be refilled and Kourtney obliges. "Listen, honey, I love you which is why I can't let you go on like this." When her brows furrow in confusion, Kourt clarifies, "You need to get out. Moping in an oversized Madona t-shirt and no pants is beneath you."
Gina glances down at her star-patterned underwear. "I haven't done laundry." She defends weakly, embarrassment warming her cheeks.
"Please. Do it for me. I've been working with a very high-maintenance client who's demanding the best dress be designed for her upcoming red carpet. I need a girl's night out." She pleads and Gina feels her resolve waver.
"It would have to be somewhere private because my manager wants me to keep a low profile. If the paparazzi see me partying they'll have more bullshit to back up their agenda that I'm a frigid hater of love and puppies."
"Puppies?" Ash repeats, confused.
Gina just shrugs in response. She didn't say they were accurate. "We'll go to an exclusive club. Celebrities only. We'll even wear disguises so nobody recognizes you." Kourtney reassures.
"Tonight?" She asks.
"Yes, after we get you cleaned up. I'm praying that's an ice cream stain on your shirt." Kourt eyes the stain in disapproval.
"It's strawberry cheesecake from Ben and Jerry's." She explains.
Kourt's smile is strained. "Yeah, we're definitely getting out tonight. It's a must."
____
"You look so amazing! EJ's gonna regret the day he was born when he sees you." Ash gushes.
"He won't see me, Ash." She reminds. "Remember, I'm trying not to be seen."
Ash nods in understanding. "It's still a super cute outfit though."
"Of course it is. She was styled by me." Kourtney boasts.
Gina glances in her full-body mirror. She's wearing a satin slip dress. It's brown with lace trim on its sweetheart neckline and the fabric ends at her thighs. "What's the point of a cute outfit if no one can see you in it? What a waste." She sighs, her mood turning somber.
Ashlyn doesn't let her wallow for long because she shoves a floppy hat on her head. "Ash, maybe we should leave the styling to Kourtney."
Ashlyn rolls her eyes. "Hilarious. It's for your disguise."
Gina frowns. "Doesn't this just make me stand out more? Who'd be wearing a beach hat at nine o'clock at night?"
Kourtney's face turns thoughtful. "She's right." She takes it off, replacing it with a ball cap. "Now you're ready! To the car!" She exclaims.
Gina sighs again. She supposes it's an improvement but she can't help but feel she's committing a crime against fashion by pairing this beautiful dress with a cap that reads 'Los Angeles' on it.
Gina has to give Kourt credit though. The “disguise” works and nobody looks at her twice with her hat shielding her face. When they arrive, there are no paparazzi surrounding the venue and it's pretty secluded inside too. Their crazy plan might just work.
“Let’s get some drinks.” Kourtney orders them a round of shots to go with their martinis. She picks up her shot glass and holds it up. "To friendship. Who needs a man when we have each other." She toasts.
"Cheers to that." Gina clicks her glass against her friend’s before tossing it back, grimacing as liquor burns her throat.
Two shots and one cocktail later, Gina feels warm and giggly. "You were right Kourt. This was exactly what I needed. Thank you." She hugs her friend tightly.
Kourt laughs at her sudden affection. "Anytime girl. You know I've always got your back."
"I know. I couldn't ask for more amazing, pretty, smart-" Gina continues to prattle on, listing more adjectives. "-friends" She finally finishes. She exhales, winded from her long compliment.
Ash pats her back, smiling fondly. "You're gushing which means you’re tipsy."
"Maybe a little." She admits sheepishly.
Kourt nods. "I'm getting there too. I think we should call it a night."
"Do you want me to drive you home?" Ash offers.
She shakes her head. "It's too out of your way. You and Gina live on the other side of town from me." Ashlyn opens her mouth to protest but Kourt holds up a hand to stop her. "I already called a taxi. I'll be fine." She hugs them both goodbye before standing up from the bar.
"Call us when you get home safe!" Gina calls out to her and Kourt throws up a thumbs-up before she disappears from their sight.
"Hey, before we go, I want to apologize about EJ."
Gina's brows shoot up. "Apologize? For what? It's not your fault your cousin's an idio-" She stops, recalling their familial ties. "-impulsive." She poorly recovers and Ash shoots her a look.
"Still, I feel I owe you an apology on behalf of all Caswells. So, I'm sorry." She apologizes.
Gina smiles. "While not necessary, I appreciate it."
Her phone buzzes and Gina groans when she sees the notifications. "Fuck my life."
"What?"
Gina shields her face. "Kourt just texted that paparazzi are outside. I suddenly miss when I was an irrelevant D-list celebrity."
"Okay! Don't panic. We'll sneak you out the back door." Ash reassures. "I'm going to grab the car and pull it around back okay? Meet me there as soon as I text you."
Gina nods frantically. She just needs to stay in the club. No tabloids can get a picture of her while she's in here. She's safe here... or at least, that’s what she thinks until a man with a camera enters her line of sight. So much for exclusivity. Kourt would so be getting an earful from her later.
Gina ducks her head down and checks her phone. Still no messages from Ashlyn. Damn that valet parking! When she glances up, she sees him headed straight for her.
She acts fast, pulling her ball cap over her head and making a break for the back exit. She dials Ash's number. "Pick up, pick up." She pleads.
After five dials, she gets her voicemail. 'Hey, this is Ashlyn. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you.'
"Seriously!" She pushes the door open, the cold air nipping at her skin as she enters the alleyway. She checks her phone again, a string of curse words leaving her lips when she sees she has no service.
She casts a panicked glance behind her, increasing her pace. She's so focused on making sure no one's following her that she misses the figure exiting the bar next door. He steps into her path and she runs right into him.
The impact sends her stumbling backward and a hand shoots out to steady her. "My bad." A voice apologizes.
Gina feels her heart stutter to a stop. She knows that voice. It's the same voice that lulled her to sleep after a long day of rehearsal. The same voice that whispered sweet nothings in her ear after he kissed her. The same voice that sang working lyrics to her as he strummed aimlessly on his guitar.
Her eyes snap up and collide with a familiar pair of brown ones. She briefly registers the change in them. They're tired, sunken bags underneath them. It's as if life has beaten the mischievous and boyish glint out of them.
Her breath catches and time seems to slow. She watches his eyes widen, recognition crossing his features. "Gina." He rasps, shock paling his skin.
She swallows the sudden lump in her throat as she struggles to speak. "Hi." She finally breathes.
He's staring at her as if he's seen a ghost and she's sure she's doing the same. Ricky opens his mouth and then closes it, speechless. She knows exactly how he feels. It feels as if there are no suitable words after this much time has elapsed. He must settle on something because he finally speaks, "What-" He begins.
And right at that moment, a flash goes off.
Gina shields her eyes, glancing at the cameras aimed at the two of them. "Shit." She curses and Ricky's eyes widen.
Despite his initial shock, he manages a wry smile. "Friends of yours?" He deadpans.
A surprised laugh escapes her. Only Ricky would joke at a time like this. Before she can think of a witty retort, a car peels in front of the alley. Ashlyn pokes her head out of the window. "Let's go!" She yells.
Gina glances at Ricky who still looks a little disorientated. "I have to go. I'm sorry."
He blinks, his eyes clearing with understanding. "Wait-"
He reaches out a hand to stop her but she's already beelining toward the car, running surprisingly fast in her heels. The last thing she hears before she slams the car door shut is Ricky calling out to her. "Gina!" Her name sounds like a plea on his lips.
She glances out at the window as they drive off. Ricky still stares after the car even as paparazzi swarm him. She can't help but think there's a cruel kind of symbolism in the way he slowly grows smaller in the rearview mirror. Something along the lines of leaving her past behind.
"Was that-" Ashlyn starts.
Gina shakes her head. "Just drive." She begs.