Page 17 of Hidden Gem
A shadow fell over his smile. “You’re not married, are you? Unavailable?”
“No. I’m just in town for one night and whatever this is... has no future. Trust me. But we have tonight.”
Reaching the other side of the square, they descended a flight of stairs and crossed the street in companionable silence, approaching an old apartment building.
A bright female voice gave them both a start. “Well, hello there!”
Marnie turned, her heart jumping into her throat. She recognized that jaunty tone. Luna wore a glittery silver dress, and her impossibly high heels clicked against the pavement as she shuffled in front of them.
“Hi, Luna! Lovely to see you! This is—”
“I know Jason Hallett!” Luna offered him a toothy smile. “Wonderful to meet you!” She pulled him into a long handshake, her gaze lingering on him.
Marnie felt hot and cold, watching for Jason’s reaction. Then she remembered her lie. Would Luna call her by her real name?
Jason wriggled out of the handshake, looking around. “Excuse us. We’re on our way to get some crepes. It’s quite a long walk.” He gestured down the road, away from his apartment building.
Marnie nodded, feeling a little sick. Clearly, he didn’t want the stylist to know he was taking Marnie home with him. She stared straight ahead, holding her breath, waiting for Luna to leave.
Jason slipped his hand around her, pulling her closer. “Should we get an Uber? Beatrice?”
“Beatrice?” Luna repeated, raising an eyebrow. “That sounds nice.”
“Yes,” Marnie said, a panicky smile on her face. “We should go. Thank you for the makeover. I really feel like a different person. It’s been so much fun.”
Luna gave her a meaningful look. “It can be very liberating. Good to meet you, Jason. Hope you and... Beatrice have a lovely night.” She flashed him a brilliant smile and walked on, her hips swaying seductively, night lights reflecting off the sequinned fabric. Like a mermaid.
Marnie wished she could walk like that.
Jason glanced after her as well, no doubt equally transfixed by her figure. “Who was that?”
“Um, Luna Bella. She’s a stylist. She helped me choose this dress and get my hair done for the event. Otherwise, I would have looked ... it would have been bad.”
Jason laughed. “I’m sure that’s not true. But she did a good job.”
He turned to the apartment building, which had Roman numerals carved in stone above its entrance. “Okay. We’re here. Sorry, I didn’t want to lead her to my place.” He cast another glance at Luna’s retreating figure. “She seemed like... one of those people.”
Marnie nodded. She hated making assumptions about anyone, but something about Luna bothered her, and she was relieved that Jason sensed it too.
He took her hand and guided her to the building, punched in a security code to unlock the doors and used a key card to activate the lift. Gold-tinted mirrors lined the inside of the lift, forcing Marnie to look at herself. She hardly recognised the woman staring back at her – polished, with flushed cheeks. That professional makeup had some staying power! Her disguise was perfect, almost like she belonged in this world. The thought made her feel bolder, hungry for more. She couldn’t be like Luna, but Jason was still with her, wasn’t he? He hadn’t abandoned her on the footpath to run after the shiny mermaid. That had to count for something.
