Page 75 of The Beach Shack Artists 3
“Yes,” Stella said. “Someone has to document our spectacular failure.”
“Hold still,” Bea murmured, twisting Stella’s curls into something that looked much better than usual. “You have great texture. Very paintable.”
“Did you just call my hair paintable?”
“It’s a compliment. Trust me.”
“We’re not going to fail spectacularly,” Bea continued, bobby pins between her teeth. “We’re going to fail gracefully.”
Across the room, Anna held up two different sandals. “These say ‘serious artist,’ but these say ‘approachable creative.’ Which vibe am I going for?”
“The one that doesn’t involve you falling off the stage,” Stella said.
“Done,” Bea announced, stepping back to look at Stella’s hair. “You look like you belong in a gallery.”
Stella touched the soft twist Bea had created. “Thanks. That’s actually really nice.”
Luke came from the kitchen with water glasses. “Hydration. In case anyone faints from nerves.”
“I’m not nervous,” Anna said, then appeared in the doorway with mascara on only one eye. “I’m... energetically uncertain.”
“Your artistic process is chaos with good results,” Stella reminded her. “We discussed this.”
“Right. Chaos with good results.” Anna disappeared back into the bathroom. “I can work with that.”
At the dining table, Meg was trying to untangle her necklace chain. “Has anyone seen my?—”
“Here,” Luke said, already moving to help her.
“Thanks,” Meg said, her cheeks slightly pink. “I don’t know why I’m nervous. I’m not even performing.”
“We’re displaying,” Bea said, settling on the “approachable creative” sandals. “Very different energy.”
A car door slammed outside. Through the window, Stella could see Margo walking toward the front door, looking calm in navy blue and carrying herself like someone who was never late for anything.
“Margo’s here,” Tyler announced.
“Come in!” Meg called.
Margo entered, looked around at the controlled chaos, and smiled. “How is everyone feeling?”
“Terrified,” Bea said honestly.
“Energetically uncertain,” Anna called from the bathroom.
“Confused about why I agreed to this,” Tyler muttered.
“Ready,” Stella said, and was surprised to find she meant it.
“Good,” Margo said. “Because we’re going to have a lovely evening regardless of what happens.”
“Even if we lose spectacularly?” Bea asked.
“Especially then. Losing spectacularly makes for better stories.”
Anna emerged from the bathroom, finally with mascara on both eyes. “Okay. I think I’m as ready as I’m going to get.”
“You look beautiful,” Meg said. “We all do.”
