Focusing on the makeup artist again, I tell her, “How about some mascara, maybe some lip gloss.”
“If you’re sure,” she replies like she thinks I’m making a mistake. I wonder, not for the first time, if this girl is like me, a synergist, or is she a norm?
We’re in a hotel room that’sbeen setup like a salon with three chairs. The stylists each have a large rolling cart, which makes me think this is something they do often. There’ssomeclanging at the door before a beep sounds. I turn to see Carolyn pushing through the door, a couple of bags in her hands.She looks frazzled. Linda leans forward, disrupting the girl in front of her. “Are you okay?”
“Fine, just running late.” She lets the door noisily fall shut behind her.
“There’s plenty of time, pour a glass of wine,” Rosa tells her, her eyes closed as the woman behind her brushes a section of her hair.
Ollie pokes his head out of the bedroom,where the guys have been holed up watching TV since we got here. “Hey Ma,” he calls out. “Muenster, Ares said not to let them do anything to your face.”
I blow out a breath and the hair curling down over my shoulder doesn’t even budge it has so much product in it. “Leave her alone Ollie, she can do whatever she wants.” I grin over at Carolyn as she dismisses him. She winks in response. She and Ollie are so much alike.
Undeterred, he struts out of the room, leaving the double doors open. I hear the blasts of explosions from the TV—Dante’s pick, I’m sure.
“She doesn’t want that gunk all over her face.” Ollie picks up a tool that looks like a small metal spatula. He eyes me, then the tool, before setting it down. The makeup artist turns to look at him for the first time after searching her cart.
She stands a little taller, her shoulders held back to push out her breasts a little. It’s subtle, but I still notice. Unfortunately for her, Ollie doesn’t.
“See, she looks perfect.” Ollie boops my nose with the tip of his finger.
I swat his hand away. “I already told her, just mascara and lip gloss. Tell Dante to turn the TV down.”
“Dante!” Ollie shouts while still staring at me.
“What?” Dante’s deep, grumbly voice fills my ears.
I turn to face him. “You will hurt your ears, the TV is too loud.” He steps away from the door and the sound disappears.
“I didn’t think it was that loud,” Dante says, coming back out of the room. “You almost done?” His eyes study me.
“Almost.” I fakesomecheer in voice. “What are the other guys doing?”
“Ares is working on the computer, and Milo is pouting,” Ollie answers.
“I am not!” Milo calls from the room. Moments later he steps into the living room and his arms are folded over his chest, making him look even bigger.
I look over at the stylist when she makes a noise, she’s looking over at the other stylists, her eyes wide like she can’t believe what she’s seeing.
“Ares, they’re going to put crap on her face.” Milo looks over his shoulder. I groan, which makes Ollie chuckle. I know any second he will come out here, and probably scare the girl half to death when he goes all Dark Lord on her.
Sure enough, he stalks out the door with shadows clinging to him, even in the room flooded with light. His suit coat is off, leaving him in his fitted vest, shirt, and slacks.
The spacious room now feels small with all fourof themout here staring at me. I shift in my seat, wondering if the girlis going to do my mascara or not.
“Boys, pour Carolyn a glass of wine,Laura is almost done,” Rosa announces.
“I got it Ma,” Ollie volunteers quickly. He rushes over to a small bar against the wall and fills a tall-stemmed glass with white wine, sneaking a sip off the top that all the mothers pretend not to notice. I roll my eyes.
Finally, my stylist steps up close to me. She has a small disposable mascarawand in one hand and a black tube in the other. “Okay, look up. Try not to blink.” Under her breath she adds, “Girl, I don’t know if they’re your cousins or brothers, or what, but hook a sister up.”
A husky chuckle falls from my lips, surprising me. I don’t feel an ounce of jealousy at her proclamation. “Not cousins, or brothers, just mine.” I don’tbother tokeep my voice down.
“Damn.” She pauses and looks me over, then looks at the guys all hovering around the room. “Damn,” she raises her hand to give me a high five, “I’m jealous as hell, but I ain’t mad at ya.”
* * *
I’m standing in the middle of our group with Milo and Ollie on one side, and Dante and Ares on the other. We’re facing a set of double doors, about to enter the ballroom. Nervous butterflies are battling in my stomach. “Why are we going in after everyone else?”
