over the crowd, and there was a strobe of flashes. She put on her very best I’m-so-happy-to-be-first-runner-up smile.
The look that crossed Connor’s face made it all worthwhile. This might be fun after all.
It was certainly going to be satisfying.
CHAPTER TWO
IT WAS well after midnight by the time Vivi made it home. The clubs on Frenchman Street were going strong, and though it was January, the nights were mild enough that a sweatshirt provided enough warmth. All the tables on the sidewalks were packed. In some places the crowds spilled out into the street, and she had to slow almost to a crawl to avoid pedestrians the last few blocks before turning into her driveway. She’d grown up on the tree-lined quiet streets of the Garden District, so adjusting to the much more active nightlife of the Marigny Triangle had been difficult at first, but now she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Coming home always made her smile.
Sam, her neighbor, was on his porch, drinking a beer and listening to the buskers in Washington Square. He waved and called out, “Congrats, Saint Vivi.”
Lorelei had probably spread the news. “Thanks, Sam.” She should stop and talk for a few minutes, but she was exhausted, her head was pounding, and her cheeks ached from all the smiling. Plus, the straps from the harness that had held her wings on had chafed against her skin, irritating her almost as much as Connor.
All she wanted to do was wash off the glitter and go to bed. She needed to be up early in the morning to work the phone lines. Another glass of wine was tempting, but sleep would work just as well against the Connor-induced headache.
But, unsurprisingly, Lorelei had waited up for her. They hadn’t had much time at the Saints and Sinners Ball to talk beyond quick congratulations.
“There she is,” Lorelei sang to a familiar tune. “Saint Vi-vi-enne.”
Vivi obligingly did her pageant wave and wiped away an imaginary tear before dropping her purse and bags and sinking onto the couch next to Lorelei with a sigh.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me, Vivi.”
“It was top secret stuff. I found out just after Thanksgiving, so I’d have time to make the necessary arrangements to my schedule. It’s going to be really busy between now and Mardi Gras.”
“We’re all so proud. Mama and Daddy were about to burst with it.”
“I noticed. But I hope you’re rethinking your annual pledge of allegiance to the Sinners now. I’m counting on your support.”
Lorelei crinkled her nose. “But the Sinners are much more fun.”
“Don’t make me play the sister card.”
“You sure you want me? Your halo might be tarnished by association.”
“Repent, reform and sin no more, my child.”
Lorelei snorted. “Don’t push your luck. One saint is plenty for the LaBlanc family, and it isn’t going to be me. That’s your job.”
“Yep.” They’d had similar conversations before, but for the first time she felt a small stab of envy for Lorelei’s freedom before she stomped it down. Adopting a bit of Lorelei’s attitude might make the next few weeks easier. She kicked off her shoes and leaned back. “Okay, just aim for temporary sainthood. A couple of weeks won’t kill you.”
“But it will still be painful…” Lorelei wrinkled her nose again. She liked to play the bad girl too much for comfort, but somehow it worked for her. “You know, no one has ever considered me saint-like in any way. It will be a challenge.” Lorelei squared her shoulders. “And LaBlancs love a challenge.”
“Amen.”
“Speaking of challenges…” Lorelei started, and Vivi knew what was coming next “…you did quite well not ripping Connor’s head off at the ball.”
Vivi felt herself snarl. “I totally understand the choice—it’s great PR, money will come rolling in, blah, blah, blah—but, yeesh. Is there wine?”
“I’ll pour.” Lorelei disappeared into the kitchen and returned with two glasses. “I have to agree that it’s brilliant PR, but you need to be careful.”
“I promise it will be justifiable homicide. I won’t ask you to bail me out of jail.”
Lorelei leveled a look at her. “Do I really need to bring up your coronation ball?”
“No. I’ve already had those flashbacks tonight.”
“Good. Remember you don’t want to look bad, so you’re the one who’s going to have to be gracious.”
Vivi raised her glass in a mock toast. “Luckily I came to that conclusion on my own earlier.”
“That explains your good behavior.” Lorelei returned the toast. “Good for you, Vivi. You’re growing as a person.”
Vivi snorted into her glass and earned a suspicious look from Lorelei. “Vivienne LaBlanc, what did you do?”
The smile was hard to fight, but Vivi would stick to the truth regardless. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
The suspicious look sharpened. “What did you do?”
“I was gracious, kind and friendly. Perfectly saint-like.”
“Exactly the actions that will make Connor wonder if you poisoned his meal.”
Vivi bit back the laugh and shrugged instead. “I can’t control Connor’s thoughts or behavior. If he wants to look foolish and juvenile, he’ll have to go there alone.”
“You know that I find you two endlessly entertaining, but honestly, Vivi—”
She held up a hand. “Lorelei, don’t start. Why do we have to go through this every single time Connor’s name is mentioned?”
“Because it’s just ridiculous. I like Connor—”
“I know. You started his fan club.”
A pink flush climbed up her neck. “Someone had to.”
“Three years before his first record came out?”
Lorelei tried to brush it off. “He’s a nice guy, you know.”
“You barely know him.”
“I know enough. I know he’s had some bad PR recently—”
Vivi nearly choked. “Bad PR? Good Lord, Lorelei, the man’s fresh off a scandal that covered the tabloids for weeks.”
“The DNA tests cleared him of paternity.”
“That only means he wasn’t the father and escaped child support. The rest…”
“You’re taking the tabloids
