7
Francesca
Eve blinked through wet eyelashes.She was one of the lucky ones—she was a pretty crier.Some women got all blotchy and red and swollen when they cried.But not Eve.Was there anything not perfect about her?
“What did you say?”The pitch of her voice rose, and her eyes widened.
“Never mind.”I shook my head, feeling stupid for having asked her such a question.Were we in high school?“It's really none of my business.I'm sorry.Please don't be mad that I—”
She closed her eyes and—
Laughed.
Her head fell forward, and her shoulders shook.
I was glad that I hadn't angered her.But that didn't mean I wasn't feeling all kinds of uncomfortable at her reaction.Mostly because I didn't know what it meant.
Was she laughing because Stefan had entertained a steady stream of hot women in his bed since I'd been gone?The thought of even one woman in his bed made me sick.I wasn't sure how I was going to act if I found out he'd been really busy without me.
Eve opened her eyes.Then she wiped her cheeks with the palms of her hands.“Oh, my gosh.You really have no idea.Do you?”Her damp hands landed on my bare shoulders.“That man only has eyes for you.”She gazed at my face like she was looking for something to pop up on it.And I definitely didn't know what she wanted to see emerge.
“He's been worried sick.Every day.”Her hands cupped my face.“He's in love with you, Francesca.”Her thumbs brushed away tears on my face that I didn't realize had fallen.“He loves you.”
My throat grew dry, and I felt a lump grow inside it.Those weren't the words I expected to hear from her.In fact, I wasn't sure if those were the words I wanted to hear at all.
Were they?
“He was so lost without you.So heartbroken.”She shook her head from side to side.“So, no, Francesca.Stefan didn't date anyone while you were gone.”She straightened up and took a deep breath.“Now, let's get you ready.”She picked up a tube of concealer and opened it.“Look up for a minute, honey,” she said, squeezing out a glob of the liquid onto her hand.
So—I did what she asked.And—mostly in silence—she applied all kinds of lush products I'd only dreamed of trying.I could eat for two months for what she paid for that foundation.
And I knew that because I'd looked it up a while ago.
But if I had Eve's money, I guess I wouldn't have to worry about how I'd afford groceries.Or if I could make rent this month or not.
A little while later, she announced I was finished.“Take a look.”She stepped back and let me peer into the mirror.
Holy.
Crap.
My face was—flawless.
Perfection.
It was natural-looking—considering the dozen or so products she'd used on me.I had never looked this good in my life.
“Wow, you're gorgeous,” Giselle's voice sailed into the room.I turned my head to see her walking in with a long white dress in her arms.“Not that you need any makeup.”
Eve smiled and nodded as she spoke to her friend, “Right?I'd kill for her perfect bone structure.”
Giselle set the dress on the bed.“Tell me about it.I paid a lot of money for these cheekbones.”Her fingers touched her face.“And they don't look half as good as hers.”She nodded her head at me.
Eve laughed heartily.“You mean Carlo paid for your cheekbones.”
Giselle's face erupted in a huge grin.She shrugged.“Funny how that worked out.”Then they shared a secret look with each other.But I had no idea what it meant.
Part of me was happy for them.Happy they had someone to share knowing looks with.Happy they had each other.You could surely see the bond they had from space.I knew I could feel it.Their connection was obvious when I first met them in the hospital.
