Page 76

“There you are,” Sofia said, escorting a young woman to my makeup chair. “This is Lindsey, GG. She’s Miss Stockton. She’s done her own makeup, but if you could just touch it up for her upcoming interview later, she’d appreciate it.”

“Well, aren’t you a pretty thing,” I said, tipping her chin up and looking her over. “Take a seat, dear, and we’ll finish you up.” Sean snorted in my ear.

She was a beautiful blonde with brilliant blue eyes that I was sure could reduce any straight young man to a pile of Jell-O. I was sure she knew just how to do that with little effort. She wore a tailored navy suit that hugged her frame perfectly.

After about thirty minutes of listening to her talk about her upcoming senior year at the University of the Pacific, I was impressed by her poise and communication skills. She hoped eventually to attend San Jose State University to earn her master's degree in psychology.

I didn’t need to say much as I worked to highlight the look she had already mastered. I accentuated her smoky eyes and added a touch of blush with finishing powder. She debated among three lip gloss shades and couldn’t decide which she liked best. I offered my opinion on using two of the shades together, and she was thrilled with the final result. She asked about the best way to keep the lip gloss off her teeth, and I taught her the simple trick of putting her index finger in her mouth and pulling it out as she wraps her lips around it. The look of amazement on her face almost made me laugh. She hopped off the chair and gave me a quick hug before straightening her jacket. I wished her luck with her interview as she walked away, waving a thank-you with a big smile.

“Damn, you are good!” Sean exclaimed. “She was a knockout before you even did anything, but wow…you know your shit, partner. I must say that lipstick trick cracked me up though, and I promise not to make any jokes about it.” He cracked up, and all I could do was shake my head.

Megan piped up next to me, and in a low voice said, “Fun trick. Do you practice it much?”

“Actually, yes,” I replied. “Except I don’t use an index finger.” I winked, and all I heard was Megan’s cackle and Sean in full-blown hysterics in my ear.

My phone buzzed on my makeup table, and I saw Bryce’s ID on the screen. I excused myself to answer it. “Hey, what’s up?” I asked when I was far enough away and hidden behind the backdrop curtain.

“Just letting you know Andrew and I are at the hospital. Craig is being discharged. We’re just waiting for all the paperwork to be completed. It always takes forever.”

“That’s great. Can I talk to him?” I said, keeping my voice low.

I immediately heard rustling and background conversation. “Hey, babe,” Craig said. “Looks like I’m being sprung.”

“Bryce and Andrew will take you to my place. I’ll run by your house and pick up some clothes and toiletries for you once I’m outta here.”

“Are you sure you want me staying with you?”

“Of course. I know we didn’t discuss it earlier and I made the decision, but I want to be there for you. We can figure out a plan for the week while I’m here at the pageant.”

“Are you sure?”

Sighing, I said, “Be a good boy and just get to my place. You know I’d only be running back and forth from my place to yours anyway. It’ll make things easier for a few days.”

“Alright. When will you get home?”

Although we’d lived separately for the years we’d been together, when Craig said ‘home,’ my heart skipped a beat. My feelings for him had intensified since almost losing him. Maybe it was time we discussed living together and having a home to call our own.

“I hope to be out of here in a couple of hours. Put Bryce back on, Howler.” There was a momentary pause as he passed the phone.

“I’m back,” Bryce said.

“I’m picking clothes up for him at his place once I leave here today. Thanks again for helping, Bryce.”

“Of course. You’d do the same for us. We’ll get him settled. Do you want Andrew to fix some dinner for you? You know he’d do it in a heartbeat.”

“That’s a little above and beyond…but you know how much we enjoy his cooking.”

“Done. Just get home later and enjoy a great meal with your man…who, right now, seems really eager to get out of here,” Bryce chortled.

After thanking him and ending the call, Sean got in my ear. “Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, all good. Craig’s being discharged and friends are taking him to my place. He’ll stay with me for a few days at least.”

“That’s great news. He must be doing really well to be getting out of there after only two days.”

I immediately heard men’s voices on the other side of the backdrop, and I froze. They kept their voices low, but I could make out their conversation as they approached.

“Jonesy?” Sean said in my earpiece, wondering where I’d gone. I shushed him, and he fell silent. One of the voices I recognized immediately was Sami, the pageant coach. Both men had stopped just on the other side of where I was hiding. I silenced my phone so it wouldn’t ring.