Page 5 of Without Fail

“My doctor said I should wait at least six months before surgery,” he hedged. It was already past that date and he still hadn’t made an appointment…and he couldn’t pinpoint why he was putting it off.

“Hey…you own a fucking makeup company and hair salons under the Belle name.”

Ryker gave a half smile. “True.”

“Then why don’t we use makeup and a wig if you feel self-conscious.”

“The paparazzi are trying to get a picture of me,” he reminded his friend.

“Well then, let’s give them something to film.” Syn’s grin turned wicked.

Ryker found himself laughing even though it pulled at the skin on his face, but it felt damned good.

Belle Hair and Beauty Salon was closed for business on Mondays, but being the owner had its perks.

A few hours later, Christian clapped his hand with delight and stepped back from his handiwork.

“You, my darling, look absolutely fabulous,” Christian said.

“As good as you?” Ryker snickered, gazing at his long-time friend and the manager of his salon chain. Christian was gorgeous with long dark hair and bright blue eyes in a delicate face and a willowy, slim body.

Christian smirked with a pretty pout of his pink lips and popped one hand on his own waist. “Nobody can reach this level of goddess, but you peasants can try.”

Ryker laughed.

Syn’s eyes sparkled when they looked at him, but Ryker was afraid to look in the mirror.

“Come on, take a deep breath.” Syn placed both hands on the arms of the chair Ryker sat in and smiled before slowly turning him around to face the large, square mirror.

Ryker blinked at his reflection.

He’d never thought of going a different hair color than his original strawberry blond, but the platinum blond wig lookedso natural. That, combined with Christian’s expertly applied makeup, had him staring in awed shock.

“See?” Syn smiled over his shoulder at his reflection. “You look gorgeous.”

He did have the bone structure, he admitted, and if he looked closer, only he would be able to make out the indention in the skin on his face, but the overall effect was a masterpiece. His eyes stung and Christian tisked at him, snatching up a tissue.

“No tears or your mascara will run,” his manager scolded.

“Lift your chin,” Syn ordered, taking the tissue from Christian.

Ryker laughed. He wasn’t wearing mascara, but he lifted his face for Syn to dutifully dab at the eyeliner that managed to make his blue eyes look huge.

A key rattled in the door and Ryker glanced over to find Jennifer Carnegie coming through the entrance. She took one look at the scene and flipped the deadbolt.

“I thought I saw movement.” Her grin was infectious. She rushed over and launched herself at Ryker.

“I’m okay, Jen,” he whispered.

“I was so scared,” she cried, her arms locking tightly.

Syn placed a hand on her back and rubbed up and down.

“When did you get back?” Syn murmured.

“Last night,” she hiccuped, easing back before sitting on Ryker’s lap.

Ryker held her slender form tightly. He gazed at Syn over her silky dark head and smiled as tears stung his eyes. The three of them had bonded during Harvard into a friendship that would last a lifetime. The last time he’d seen her had been several months ago from his hospital bed. She’d flown in from France, but had to take a red eye out that very same night.

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