Page 23 of The Lovers
Kit smacks two air-kisses to each one of Millie’s cheeks. “You are glowing—my God,your skin,” she says, touching her own flawless skin with a grimace, as if hers isn’t creamy smooth, but instead prickly sandpaper. “No filter necessary, for real.”
“Please, I’m an elephant hide. I’ll need to do a hyaluronic sheet mask or ten before tomorrow.” My mind is truly baffled by this exchange. “We are so thrilled you were able to come for the whole weekend.”
“Meant to be,” Kit replies, flicking her eyes to me for a fraction of a second. “Clearly.”
That didn’t happen. I made it up.
Even if making it up is ridiculous. I’m not trying to care about where her eyes are glancing, or what said glances may or may not mean. Neutrality and professionalism is the name of my game.
Millie turns to Piper, grabbing her by the hand and tugging her in for a warm hug. Millie seems to only ever offer one kind of hug, even to frosty recipients.
“Kappa Kappa,” Millie says, gleeful.
“Alpha Alpha,” Piper replies, her face a mask complete with a signature glimmery polished smile. She straightens, not yet pulling away from Millie.
“Theta Theta Theta—” they chant together, gripping each other’s biceps and bouncing. “We’re the best, hell yes!”
Kit’s eyes widen. There’s a brief twitch of her mouth before it clamps closed, firm, like she’s keeping a chuckle hostage behind her teeth. It’s an expression shift so subtle there’s no way Millie or Piper would notice it—I shouldn’t either. But she must feel melooking, because she glances over at me (again) and then her cheeks flush deep pink beneath whatever balmy blush she’s dabbed over the high, plump apples.
I distract myself by turning my walkie-talkie back on and stepping away to radio Zoe.
“Any word on the bridesmaids?” I ask, soothed by the crinkle of static coming over the receiver.
“They stopped to do a photoshoot at Cabazon,” Zoe says, her eye roll implied in her tone.
Every influencer who comes in the direction of Joshua Tree National Park does a photoshoot at Cabazon. With the exception of Piper—the unexpected fill-in bridesmaid—the rest of the party are varying levels and styles of fun, fit, fab content creators. Kit probably falls into the same category, though I haven’t looked her up online. (Will notlook her up online.)
“ETA?” I ask Zoe.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” she replies. “Within the next hour.”
“Thanks,” I reply, turning the radio back down. Millie should be getting settled into her room, enjoying a soak in the saltwater hot tub, getting an in-room massage, before her evening off-site at the Glamp-Out’s facilities. I need to move this along, check back in at Homebase to see who’s still due to report for work and room assignments today, do any other necessary chasing and fire extinguishing, before I close up for the evening.
I cannot freak the fuck out that my ex-girlfriend is hanging out with the girl who ghosted me the summer before college, for an entire weekend in the desert, and I have to watch it go down.
“I can wait here for the rest of your bridal party to arrive,Millie,” I say, trying to keep my voice even as I near them. “If you would like to head over to your room.”
“Ah! Thank you,” Millie exclaims. “Piper was just telling me she prepped a whole charcuterie and champagne situation for us.” Wow, Piper dropped that love bomb in record time. “Pre- and post-massage sustenance.”
I’m pretty sure water is the ideal beverage for that, but I’m not a doctor.
“Perfect,” is what I say.
Millie squeezes me into one more warm hug and says, “I know you’re technically on duty all weekend long, but you should really come with us tonight.” She pauses, raising her brows and smirking. “You can even pretend you’re working, if you want.” I exhale, but say nothing in response. She squeezes my shoulder. “Think about it.” She’s not moving on until I comply.
“I’ll think about it.” But I know the answer already.
Kit and Piper are supposed to follow the bride. It’s clear from their expressions they both know that’s expected. I’m hoping for it and dreading it. Wishing for a second alone with Kit and wanting to never be alone with her ever again. Frustrated at the instinct to reach out to her, even after all this time and space and pain. She edges forward, like she’s about to say something that will allow her to stay behind without raising suspicion, like she read my mind and made the decision for me, but Piper steps in her way, squashing her opportunity with the red sole of her Louboutin.
“I just have a few minor details to work out with Julia,” Piper says. “Bridesmaid questions.” She flashes her teeth at Millie, who buys the smile as more than a dismissal, and absorbs Kit into hersashay toward the double doors out to the courtyard. Kit’s gaze lingers; my heart somersaults.
“She’s the one.” Piper’s voice is double-edged.The oneis an arrow hitting its mark.
She knows.
I force myself to make eye contact. Hers are molten hazel and laser focused. I straighten to my full height for intimidation, but even then I have to angle my face up to look at her.
“The one?” I fire her words back.
