She rolls her eyes. “For the university’s biggest gala of the year? The one that will include all of East Rock’s wealthiest peopleandthe two researchers who have essentially revolutionized alpha and omega connections world-wide?”
I stare at her.
She huffs out a breath. “Yeah. Lots of press.” She picks up a makeup brush. “What’s gotten into you? You’re too smart not to realize what a big deal this event is.”
I bite my lip. “I’m bonding with Graham and Saint tonight, after the gala.”
Her blue eyes widen. “No shit?” She puts down the makeup brush. “That’s a big deal.”
“It is. That’s why I wanted you to help me get ready. I want to look good for the gala, but I mostly want to look special after, for, you know.”
She salutes. “Captain Camelia James reporting for duty. I have all my weapons and will do my best to serve this mission.” She picks up a blush brush and taps my nose with it.
I giggle. It’s been years since we’ve done this. I’m no slouch, but Cammie’s always been better at makeup and clothes than me. She does stuff that I’d never consider. Like now. She’s wearing a bright coral blouse tucked into hot pink pants. Her bleached blonde bob is pinned back with a tiny rhinestone cactus clip. It shouldn’t work. I couldn’t make it work. But on her it's incredible.
“I’m glad you’re here. It’s been a while since just the two of us hung out.”
She tilts my head back and examines my eyes before grabbing some liner. “It’s only just barely the two of us. I think I hear at least one of your alphas pacing in the hall.”
The corners of my mouth lift. “That would be Graham.”
She chuckles. “The excitable giant. I bet he’s been climbing the walls since you made plans to bond.”
“Oh my god. He’s a bit of a puppy, in that way.”
She sighs. “It would be nice to be adored.” She says it lightly, like it’s a throw away comment. I know it’s not.
She eases my eyes closed with the pad of her finger, then dabs on some cream liner. She smudges it a little with a brush giving me a smokey, sexy result.
“Maybe I can be his first customer when his research is ready for market. I could go for someone worshipping me.”
I grab her hand. “You’ll find someone. With or without Graham. There’s no way you don’t.”
The corners of her mouth tick down, but then she flips it into a bright, totally fake, smile. “Let’s not talk about me. Today is all about Lark and her hot alphas.”
I let her redirect, because she’s right. Today is my day. But I make a mental note to corner her later about finding her alphas.
She adds bronzer around the edges of my face, then blush. “Your new sister came by yesterday to check out your apartment.”
“You met Lucy? Isn’t she sweet?”
She powders lightly under my eyes and across my nose. “Super sweet. And cute, too. It won’t be the same as having you live upstairs, but I’m going to enjoy having her nearby. We’ve already made plans for girl dinner and movies.”
I press my hand to my chest, pleased by Cammie’s acceptance of Silas’ sister. “Thank you. You’re going to love her. And she’s so ready for a little bit of independence.”
“I get that,” Cammie says, packing makeup into the bag. Then she smiles. “Turn around, gorgeous, and witness the magic I just made.”
I turn around and—wow! Cammie is a genius. Nothing is overdone. I still look like me, just a little more glam.
“This is amazing! Seriously, people would pay stupid money for this.”
“I’ll stick with my day job.” She zips her makeup bag. “Now, let me see how it all looks together.”
She hands me my dress, a deep red number that skims every curve of my body without clinging too tight. One shoulder is completely bare, while the other is draped in a structured fold of fabric that gives it almost an architectural appearance. The hemline skims to mid-calves, drawing eyes to my legs without showing too much. It’s sexy. Confident. Maybe a little unexpected.
I pair it with skin-colored strappy heels, a gold beaded bag, and the small gold earrings Silas gave me. I still haven’t taken them out since the night I got them.
My hair is pulled into a loose twist at the back of my head that Cammie assures me will look ‘sexy as hell’ when I take it down later. It shows off Silas’ bond mark perfectly. A little frisson of pleasure runs through me when I think about adding two more marks later tonight.
