Page 66 of Face

I laughed.

“I got each of my bridesmaids a special gift, so it had to be perfect. This is my gift to you for being in my wedding.” She kissed my cheek.

My eyes welled up. “Thank you.”

Jemini put her hand on my shoulder as she sat in the chair next to mine in front of the vanity inside my and Parker’s apartment. “Listen, I think you’re beautiful without any makeup. You’re lucky you don’t need it like me.”

I rolled my eyes at her.

“But I also know how self-conscious you are about your scarring.” She tapped my cheek with her index finger. “I wanted to give you this so if you go out in public, you don’t feel like you have to hide under those hoods. You may feel a sense of normalcy while wearing it. Help your anxiety and all that.”

“You don’t know how much this means to me. I’ve tried makeup before, but it just looked caked on, and I felt stupid wearing it. I’ve never had a female friend before to help me like this. It means the world to me.” I hugged her and she hugged me back, her ring getting caught in my hair.

“Whoops,” she said, picking the hair out of it. “It’s too damn big.”

I smiled. “Hell no, it’s not. It’s beautiful.” I stared at the two-carat diamond set in platinum. Phoenix had taken her to Miami for a few nights and had proposed on the beach under the moon. Us girls had all gathered around like hens after they’d returned to hear the story, squealing.

I shooed her. “Now, we’re gonna be late for your final fitting, so go get your stuff and I’ll meet you downstairs.”

“You’re right.” She looked at her watch. “See you in a bit.”

She left the apartment and I stared into the mirror again. I turned my face from left to right. The scars were still there but barely visible. I put a little contour, blush, and highlighter on, then brushed some mascara on my lashes and some pink gloss on my lips. I had my hair in a high ponytail and wore my favorite ripped jeans and a lime-green long-sleeved shirt.

I slid my feet into my new Chucks and grabbed my wallet, keys, and phone.

Parker came out of the bathroom, the steam following him out. He wore nothing but a towel, his hair wet and flopped into his face. He took my breath away.

“God, I want to lick you right now,” I said, wetting my lips and tasting the strawberry flavor.

He looked up from adjusting his towel and went to speak but froze. “I… Oh, my God… Devon. You look. I mean, wow!”

I grinned. “Thanks. Jemini’s a miracle worker.”

He stepped closer to me, and the warm steam felt good. “You know I think you’re beautiful without all this stuff on your face, as well, right? My question is, how does it make you feel?”

“I know you do, and that’s why I love you.” I put my hand on his perfectly smooth skin and sharp jaw. “The makeup was a gift from her. She seems to be some kind of mind-reader or something. She could tell how self-conscious I was in public.” I blew out a breath. “Honestly, I really like the makeup. It won’t be worn all the time, but it’ll help me not be so anxious.”

“If you love it, then then I love it,” he replied. “And while I agree Jemini’s got wicked intuition, it doesn’t take spidey senses to tell that you wanted to hide from the world. I hope you don’t feel like you have to now.” He kissed my nose and went to walk around me toward his dresser. I grabbed his towel off his waist and whipped him in his cute little butt with it.

“Hey!” he said, starting toward me, but I ran out the door and down the stairs giggling.

As Jemini, Bloome, MyAnna, Kalissa, and I piled into Kalissa’s new minivan, we made small talk about the wedding coming up on Saturday. As they chatted excitedly, I stared down at baby Jameson, who was blinking wide blue eyes up at me. I smiled at him, and he beamed a big, toothless grin back at me. It was hard to believe he was going to turn into a big, ferocious wolf when he was grown. I let him grip my pinky finger with his little hand, and I looked out at the early evening sky. I couldn’t believe how much my life had changed in six months. I went from an anxiety-ridden, shy, hermit girl who never left her home, to a woman with friends and a gorgeous man who loved me. Actual friends who didn’t try to use me for anything or treat me any differently. Sharing an office with Jemini and helping them with all the tech stuff at the club had been really rewarding. I felt like I was living in a fantasy or dream I hoped I’d never wake from.

“You look good enough to eat,” Parker leaned down and whispered in my ear.

“Later.” I winked up at him. He looked absolutely breathtaking in a black tuxedo. All the guys did.

The Cobalt Room was packed with people. Gabriel and Jemini had had a huge wedding at a nearby cathedral where her parents paid for the grand affair. Her mother hadn’t been too happy that she wanted the reception here, but she ensured her parents the place was rented out and it would be private. I looked over to see Jemini and Jermaine holding hands, facing each other, and not speaking. She’d tried to explain the twin telepathy to me, but it was hard to wrap my brain around being able to read someone else’s mind.

I looked down at my long dark-blue dress with the plunging neckline and slit. We’d all worn silk scarves tied to the side around our necks as part of the ensemble, and something told me Jemini had chosen that accessory for me—because of my scars. None of the other girls seemed to mind it, and I thought it looked like a nice addition to the dress.

Viper went onstage and stood in front of the band. He held a champagne flute up, tapping a spoon against it. “Toast. Everyone, grab a drink.”

Parker and I already held club sodas.

Viper lifted his glass, MyAnna by his side. “To Gabriel and Jemini. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness. Congratulations on the most important union of your life. May you two always find love and hope in the company of one another.”

“Here, here!” everyone said.

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