“I don’t think they’re interested,” I finally said as I handed the brush back.
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, Blake is straight and a major jock, and Casey has this rocker persona. He’s got tattoos and a beard and a job at a cool bar. Why would those two be interested in someone like me?”
River gracefully leaned forward, and his hands moved quickly as he added touches of blue to his eyes. “You know, all kinds of people think that men in makeup are sexy. My husband loves that I’m pretty, but it’s not like he was searching the world for a man who could rock a good heel. I dressed in a way that showed who I am, and that’s what caught his eye. Because the right person can’t find you if you’re hiding.”
I considered his advice for a second. Going home and hitting on Blake and Casey was out of the question. They had their own thing to work out, it looked like, and no matter how much fun I had hanging out with them, it didn’t mean we were supposed to be in a triad or something like that.
But pushing myself to be a little braver with makeup, that seemed possible. My confidence rising, I turned the mirror to check out my progress, but frowned when I saw two uneven splotches over my eyes.
“This is definitely not the true version of myself I’m trying to show off,” I complained.
River laughed. His eyelids were dark at the bottom and light on top, and when he fluttered his lashes, the color flashed gorgeously. “How about I do your face for you?” He paused and tilted his head to the side, studying me. “You just have to promise you’ll wear it home. Let those guys get a look.”
I laughed. “So they realize they’re meant to be with me, and we form a happy triad forever and ever?”
River pulled a couple makeup wipes out and handed them to me. “I don’t see why not.”
I rubbed the blue off my eyes. He was acting like this was no big deal, but when I thought about it more, I started bouncing. It made me dizzy and smiley just pretending there was a universe where Blake and Casey would both want to be with me.
“Can I take you up on doing the makeup now and say maybe about showing it off later?”
River smiled and turned to the makeup box. “Deal. Just so long as you let me have fun. I was thinking pale purple on the eyes, something subtle but still impactful, and maybe a bolder pink for the lip.” He looked up with a grin. “I love doing other people’s makeup, by the way.”
I laughed. “Lucky me. I’m just excited to see what you come up with.”
“You strike me as understated, but still pretty. Is that right? Something to match one of your button-ups and not a ball gown, for example?”
I grinned, thrilled that he could see that. “Yes,” I said. “Exactly.”
River tapped the brush on his nose. “I’m good at this kind of thing,” he told me with a laugh.
“I can tell. I wish I were as talented you are.”
“Well, I wish I were as talented of a carpenter as you. That’s a skill I always wanted to pick up.”
I sat up straight. “I can teach you!”
River blinked. “Really?” he asked after a pause.
“Yeah, if you want,” I said, talking fast. “I could repay the favor, since you’re helping me out with this. And trust me, I act a lot less self-conscious when I’m contributing something.”
River laughed. “You only act a little self-conscious. In a charming way.” He stuck his lips to the side, thinking. “That sounds fun, actually, if you have the time. I’ve always meant to learn the basics.”
“Definitely,” I said, then wiped the last of the failed makeup attempt away.
“Now come here,” River said, adjusting the mirror. “Let’s take it from the start.”
* * *
When I got backto the house, it was quiet, with only a few lights on upstairs. Part of me was relieved, knowing I could easily slip into my basement room without seeing the guys, but an even bigger part of me was disappointed.
River had done what I’d never been able to do myself. Slowly and gently, he’d drawn the brushes over my face and transformed me into the person I wanted to be.
I paused in the alley, then lifted my phone, using it to look at myself one more time. The purple on my eyelids swooped up in a way that was bright without seeming dramatic, all accentuated by thin, dark eyeliner. River had taught me how to apply lipstick, and the pinkish glow on my lips was sexy.
I blinked, then shoved the phone in my pocket, a thrill shooting up my spine.
