I make a mental note to ask her for makeup tips. I’ve always wanted to up my makeup game, but I got stuck playing the part of the ‘tough mechanic’. It was necessary to survive working on airplanes.
But now that I’ve shifted to the auto repair trade and I’m dating Nat, I want to experiment with something I once enjoyed.
“Are you coming to the party, Riley?” my boss asks.
Cordelia nods. “I was just talking to her about that.”
“Well, I…” My words trail when a bright light flashes in my eyes.
“What are you guys chatting about?” April asks, joining our little huddle.
Rebel sees me blinking up a storm and scolds her best friend, “April, you blinded someone again.”
“I’m so sorry,” April gasps, hiding her hand behind her back. “Are you okay, Riley?”
I assure April that I’m fine as I rub my eyes.
Sheepishly, April explains, “I didn’t notice how big this rock was the night Chance proposed. But in real life, it’s…”
“It’s very Chance,” Rebel says, laughingly hugging her best friend.
Gordie gives her two-cents. “Miss April’s ring looks like a star.”
April sighs as if she’d trade this ‘star’ for something a little more close to earth.
Chris walks up to me. “Riles, I’m going to brave the crowds and head to my car now. You coming with me or waiting for Nat?”
Since my brother is here, I make the introductions to my friends.
“You’re all female mechanics?” Chris asks, his jaw nearly disengaging from his mouth.
“That’s right,” Rebel says, smiling prettily.
Chris stares a tad too long at Rebel before averting his gaze. “Uh, wow. Yeah. So… if mechanics are so beautiful, how come Riley is considered one?”
“Go away.” I shove him. “Cordelia, feel free to de-invite him from your party now.”
“There’s a party?” Chris perks up.
“Yes,” Cordelia says. “You and…” She motions to Renea. I call Nat’s agent over so she can hear the invite herself. “You’re free to come. I’ll text Riley the details and she can forward them to you.”
Renea’s eyes gleam with interest. “Will all the players be there? I have my eyes on a few who might not yet have representation.”
The conversation starts anew, and I take that opportunity to ask April for directions to the tunnels so I can slip away.
When I enter the quiet hallway, I half-expect Nat to not be there, but to my delight, he’s waiting for me.
He’s out of his skates but still looks tall and intimidating. Especially with the shoulder pads that stretch his jersey tight across his chest. One glove hangs loose from his fingers. The other is snapped into the band of his pants.
Nat glances at the entrance and our gazes meet. He straightens, his lips curving up in a smile that’s just for me.
My heart triples its speed and I’m running before I even understand why. He catches me as I fling myself against him and lifts me off my feet. He hugs me tightly, and it feels like a part of me I hadn’t realized I’d been missing snaps into place.
“You were amazing,” I say into his neck. I inch back and grip his face in both hands, feeling those pesky tears again. “I amsoproud of you.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Riles.”
“What are you talking about? You did it all on your own.”
