“That’s so nice of them.” I looked over at Parker, who clearly found this amusing.
“Okay, Squirt, time to brush your teeth and get your pajamas on.” Parker ruffled Bella’s hair. “I’m gonna go clean up in the kitchen and you pick out your bedtime book.”
Bella’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. “Okay.”
I remembered how Callie used to hate bedtime. She had serious FOMO and still did, and she was sure that she was going to miss something if she was asleep.
“Tell Grandma I’ll say goodnight before bed,” Bella insisted before I left the room.
“I will.”
As I walked down the stairs with Parker, I wanted to ask more questions about the lipsticks, even though I had a fairly good idea what the story on them was. I had to remind myself that my job was not about lipsticks or Nick’s ‘friends’ who had left them. Naomi’s care was what I needed to focus on. It was all I needed to focus on.
After going through the shift change info, Gary looked at me and said, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look amazing.”
Embarrassment swept over me for showing up for my shift in full glam. It probably wouldn’t bother me if I wasn’t working for one of the most eligible bachelors in the city. I didn’t want him, Gary, Parker, anyone else to think that I’d done this for his benefit.
“Rihanna was over.” Gary had met Ri on more than one occasion since she was my go-to plus one. She’d accompanied me to coworkers’ weddings, Christmas parties, and company picnics. “She’s thinking of trying her hand at being a makeup artist, and I was her guinea pig.”
“Well, you look great.”
“Thanks.” I smiled.
Gary left, and I walked over and checked Naomi’s oxygen tank and line. She was resting peacefully, so I lowered myself into the oversized reading chair beside her bed. I tried to will myself into work mode: centered, calm, and collected. I practiced breathing techniques, visualization, and even some pressure points, but intrusive thoughts kept me feeling anxious and on edge.
All I could think about was whether I would see Nick tonight. If I did, what would I say to him? Would he be shirtless? Would he notice that I was photoshoot-ready? Would he think it was for his benefit?
In an attempt to distract myself, I pulled out my tablet and opened the Kindle app. The screen was populated with the newest Lucy Score release. It shone like a beacon on a stormy night. As I sat staring at the cover, I was Leia to Lucy’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. She was my only hope of escaping the constant Nick Locke loop playing in my head. Lucy was my Calgon, and I needed her to take me away.
