Page 83 of With Us

“What else is there?”

“Hair and makeup.”

I touched my messy bun. “Good idea.”

Plugging in a straightener, Rosa undid my hair as it heated up. Once it was ready, she ran it through, section by section. As she worked, she asked about Java Brew, but I didn’t share any of the psychic drama or my doubts about my future there. Using the straightener, she twisted my hair around it, adding loose curls to the ends.

“Okay, makeup time.” She dumped a bag of makeup from a specialty store onto the bed. Most my stuff was purchased from the grocery store with a coupon, but I popped into specialty stores occasionally when there was a really good sale.

Rosa chatted again as she applied the stuff quickly. I didn’t say much since I didn’t want to disturb her concentration. She told me about some of the hideous dresses she’d seen while shopping, and of taking pics of some of the worst to send to Theo, saying she bought them. I had a hard time not laughing as I pictured it.

After only fifteen minutes, she stepped back. “Perfect.” She gave me the compact mirror.

My eyes widened.

The makeup was subtle and more natural than I’d expected, using mostly soft pinks and creams. Highlighter on my cheeks mixed with the light tan I’d gotten, giving me a sun kissed glow. My dusky pink lips were my favorite part.

“See?” Rosa said, looking proud. “Told you so.”

“This is amazing. You should do this professionally.”

She looked horrified, shaking her head. “I love doing it, but I wouldnotdo well if I knew someone was paying me. I’d choke and they’d end up looking like The Joker.” She began packing everything up. “Which is probably not making you feel too comfortable about me doing it on Friday, huh?”

I closed the mirror. “You’d do that?”

“Of course. Can you take the day off?”

“I’ll ask.”

“Good. It’ll be fun.”

I tried not to smile like a loser weirdo who’d made her first friend. “Definitely.”

Carefully walking across the room, going slow so I could adjust to the heels and not twist my ankle, I put the dresses back in the garment bags.

“Ben will be right up to grab those,” Rosa said. “Oh, I almost forgot.” She lifted one of the shoe boxes and grabbed a large pink and cream lace clutch. Adding the mascara, compact, and matte lipstick, she handed it to me. “ID and cell?”

I transferred them from my other bag, texting Wendy about the day off in the process. “I haven’t heard from Theo.”

“Him and Luc are out. They should be getting back right around the same time we get there.”

“I’m riding with you?”

“And Ben. The cocktail bar is over near Amaric, and you and Theo would be way late if he made the trip over.” She looked at me with a raised brow. “Plus, if Theo was picking you up here, there’s no way in hell you two would make it out the door. I’m not totally sure you’ll make it out of the office, which is why I’m leaving as soon as he gets there.”

Our laughter was interrupted by the buzzer. I let Ben up and started packing up the shoes and makeup on the bed.

“What’re you doing?” Rosa asked.

“Getting this all ready to go.”

“No, no, that stuff stays. I’ll take the dresses back because they don’t work, but all of the rest is for you to keep.”

I looked at the shoes, including a white and blue pair that would be perfect with the watercolor outfit. Still, I opened my mouth.

Rosa beat me to it. “Nope. Boss’ orders.” When there was a knock at the door, she opened it to Ben.

“Rosa. Miss Kincaid.” He picked up the garment bags. “Ready?”

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