Page 41 of Underground Prince

“What the f—”

“It’s beauty in the making. Shut up.” At her clap, she was finished, and backed up to marvel at her creation. “Okay. I’m seeing the reason you wanted to do this.”

I moved closer to the mirror so I could see the intricate braid, and how most of my new (temporary) highlights were swirled into the bun. “I’m like a prom version of Rainbow Brite.”

“Funny,” Verily said as she began cleaning up her vanity.

“Who’s my date? A Smurf?”

“You know you love it.”

“Actually, I do.” With tentative fingers, I prodded at the bun.

“Don’t you dare.”

She shoved me back onto the stool, picked up an aluminum spray can, and sucked my oxygen into a chemical cloud. I coughed, flapping my hands in front of my face, but she was undeterred.

“Now you may touch,” she said.

“Don’t—” Cough. “Can’t.”

“Wimp.” She tamed a few last strands. “Now go. I have ten minutes to finish getting ready before we’re both going to go about our normal, average day.”

“Fool. I know you now.” I drew her into a hug. “But thank you.”

She dug her chin into my shoulder and I only just caught her saying, “And then we can go out with the gang later.”

I pulled back. “Excuse me?”

“Nothing.” She withdrew, going back to organizing her accoutrements. “Be ready in five.”

“No, what’d you say?”

She sighed, the hairspray canister falling to her hip. “How is it that you can be around beefcake men who knock each other out without batting an eye, but hanging out with our old friends sends you whimpering into a hidey hole?”

“You know why.” I gave a good, solid glare at her before exiting her room.

“You and Noah went through the same thing!” she called after me, and her voice grew louder as she followed me. “I don’t see why—”

“We didn’t.”

I was so curt, so succinct, that her mouth fell open for a moment before she shut it. “Suit yourself,” she said.

“Thank you,” I said, but she smacked a hand against my bedroom door before I could close it.

“Don’t give me any gratitude yet. You’re—”

I shut the door with a snap.

“Still coming!” she yelled. “You ungrateful wench!”

I kicked at the door not to do any damage, more to make a point. But only ended up stubbing my toe.

“Violence is never the answer!” she called back.

13

I LOVE A GOOD STRANGER

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