As the woman dabbed a sheer foundation over my skin with a makeup sponge, Emma asked, “So what’s with the shift in fashion and bold lipstick? I mean, you wear gloss, but I’ve never seen you in violent-red lipstick before.”
I shrugged, playing stupid. “I thought it would be a fun change.”
“It wouldn’t have to do with a couple of sexy new bosses, would it? You haven’t stopped gushing over them since the day you were hired.”
“Maybe…”
“Atlas…”
“…What?”
“Be careful.”
“Psh, I’m always careful.”
“Atlas…”
Yep, Emma was our resident mother. I trusted her opinion. And while I knew it probably wasn’t the best idea to get involved with my bosses, I wasn’t going to stop either. I wanted them.
Dinner was at a Mexican restaurant in the mall. It was crowded and loud, especially when all four of us were together. Well, Ryder was more shy, but he opened up once you got a couple of margaritas in him.
And I was on my third margarita. We took the subway to shop, so we didn’t have to worry about driving. Traffic on the Beltway was a bitch anyway.
Luna was getting pretty tipsy herself. She was so cute with her curves, dusky skin, and bleached tight curls cut close to her scalp. She was a lesbian who’d recently started dating another woman she’d met at the university. We were all queer except for Emma.
“So, how are you and Finny-Winny?” I said to Ryder before burping. “Oh, excuse me!”
“Not very lady-like, Atlas,” Emma scolded, though I could tell she was feeling the alcohol, too.
Ryder’s pale skin bloomed into a riot of pinks and reds. God, he was so adorable. He was tall, muscular, and the shyest thing ever. It was wild that he was a popular bartender at one of DC’s hottest nightclubs.
“Uh, good. We’re good… real good. Like…”
“Good?” the rest of us said in unison, leaving us in a fit of giggles, even if it wasn’t that funny.
The red traveled down his neck and up to his ears. “Yeah…”
I dunked a tortilla chip into the salsa and shoved it into my mouth before Luna waved a hand at me. “Atlas… love the new look. Very femme.”
“Thank you, gorgeous.”
“He’s doing it for his new bosses,” Emma replied.
“Tsh, so?”
Luna raised a shapely brow. “Oh? How do you know they like feminine things? Are they into guys? Or do you find them cute and are trying to get their attention?”
I chugged back the rest of my margarita and ordered another, then I had a bite of my enchilada.
“Atlas…” Luna said.
“Ugh, why is everyone saying my name like they’re scolding me?”
Ryder chuckled. “Because you’re trouble.”
Luna and Emma raised their glasses. “Cheers to that.”
I waved them off and sighed. “Okay,fine. Secret time.” I eyed each one of my friends and roommates, pointing at them. “None of this leaves the restaurant.”
