Page 33 of Fauxmance

"You and your sister have great bone structure," Veronica said as she applied foundation to my cheeks. "Like your mom. We saw her when we arrived."

"Thanks," I said. "I would've asked her for help, but neither of us wear makeup."

"Which is why you have such lovely skin."

Vivian huffed as I blushed. "You're creeping her out, sis."

"Sorry," Veronica said.

"No, it's fine," I said. "I'm just not used to compliments. Thank you."

Vivian clucked her tongue as she ran her fingers through my hair. "I'd sell my soul for hair like this," she said.

Veronica tossed her a look. "Who's being creepy now?"

"Well, I would," Vivian said, and I watched her stick her tongue out at her sister. Catching my eyes in the mirror, she threw me a wink. "Your mom was saying something about you and an elevator?"

"Ooh yeah, that's right," Veronica said. "And a hot guy!"

Izzy and Sariah came back looking pretty pleased with themselves. I was going to ask how the shoe thing went, try to get the attention off me, but before I could, Izzy cut in.

"Did someone say hot guy?" she asked.

Sariah hummed. "I could use a good story right now."

"Apparently," Veronica said, "Magnolia got stuck on an elevator with a red lobster during the power outage last night."

All four pairs of eyes locked on me.

"Is that true?" Izzy said with a grin. "Oh God, tell me it's true."

With a swallow, I slowly nodded, and the girls all whooped.

"Ugh, I'm so jealous!"

"Me,too," Sariah said. "All we did at my house was meditate and play scrabble."

Vivian was smiling wide. "Tellus more, Magnolia. We have to hear it all."

I shrugged. "Honestly, there's not much to tell."

"Ah, come on. Your neck is blushing. That has to mean something!"

Izzy crossed her arms. "You know we won't stop asking until you tell us."

I did.

"Might as well just put it out there."

"Yes, girl," Veronica said. "Spill the tea."

"And please, don't leave anything out," Sariah said. "Some of us are achingly single and need to live vicariously through you."

With a sigh, I told them the story. They were my friends after all. Well, they were Jasmine's friends, but we were close now, too. I had nothing to hide—except maybe the fact that Hayden was only the second guy I'd ever kissed. I didn't go into every detail, but once I got started, it was hard to stop. By the time I got to us being rescued and Hayden driving off, all four girls had wistful smiles on their faces.

"Sounds like something out of a fairytale," Veronica said as she added the finishing touches to my eyes and lips.

"Yeah," Vivian put in, "but Hayden was the Cinderella in this scenario. He left you his handkerchief. That was like his glass slipper."

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