“Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”
“Addison. I—”
I couldn’t hold it anymore. I busted up. “Ohmigod, your face! I’m just messing with you.”
“I’m not getting waxed?” she asked, still looking terrified.
“Yes, you are. But only your eyebrows. Unless, of course, you want to get the full deal.”
“No, I absolutely do notwant to get the full deal.”
“Look, I get it. I was nervous the first time too. So nervous, in fact, my hands were shaking too hard to hold my mimosa.”
“Weren’t you fifteen?” she asked in horror. “You shouldn’t have beengivena mimosa.”
“It was just one. Mom said it would help calm me.”
“Your parents are fucked up.”
“For sure.” I grinned. “I’ll make sure you have straight whiskey to shootbefore yours.”
“You won’t need to, because it’s never going to happen.”
“Yes, it will, but not today. I have granted you a reprieve.”
Dylan sighed deeply, patting her heart. “I hate you so much right now.”
“I know, but you’ll get over it. Now go change. They’ll be here soon.”
Still cursing my name, she left, and I went about making myself gorgeous. Lynette and Carla, our hair and makeup ladies,arrived and started in on Dylan. By the time I went to check on them, her eyebrows were perfectly shaped, and the ladies were starting in on her makeup.
“How was it?” I asked, admiring their work.
“I expected it to be more painful. It wasn’t bad at all.”
Over the next hour, Carla and Lynette created masterpieces.
When it was time to dress, I stepped into my gown, gingerly sliding the thinstrap of my Alexandre Vauthier creation over my head. Lynette adjusted my hair and then zipped me up. She clapped her hands with a grin. “Perfect.”
I checked myself out in the mirror and agreed. The dress was backless with a slight train at the bottom and a high slit up the right leg. With a pair of black Jimmy Choos and an Armani clutch, I felt confident I could handle even the snobbiest ofPortland’s rich and powerful, and land me a sexy detective.
* * *
Jake arrived abouta minute before Asher. I pulled open the door and elephants began stomping on my spleen. Good lord, the man was beautiful. His hair was styled away from his freshly-shaven face, and it took all of my willpower not to reach out and stroke his strong jawline and perfect lips.
“You look beautiful, Addison,”he said, pulling me out of my head. He leaned down to kiss my cheek and I closed my eyes. He smelled delicious.
“So, do you.” I forced myself to sound cordial and stepped back. “Come in.”
“These are for you.” He handed me a bouquet of long-stemmed yellow roses.
“Thanks. They’re nice.” I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a vase. Actually, they were perfect. But I wasn’t quite ready to lethim off the hook.
“I had a little guidance in the flower department,” he admitted. “Your brother might have mentioned you’re not a red rose fan.”
And knowing Jake had been thoughtful enough to ask Asher warmed my insides like a shot of Rumchata with a vanilla ice cream chaser. I set the vase of roses on the island. “Smart.”
Dylan joined us, carrying her shoes (and her damn combat boots) andI shook my head. “No.”
