Page 67 of Mind

Kat comes over to me, holds my hand looking over my shoulder at the sour-faced woman sitting in her wheelchair behind me. “You okay?” she whispers her brows pulling together. I haul her into a hug and nod.

The three women sing their way down the hall. This time it’s a chopped up version ofMy Girl. Their mood is infectious and puts me back into my own happy place. I’m not going to let this ugly, sad woman destroy the best day of my life.

Someone knocks on the door. “Gigi, I’m going to have a private stylist come in here and work on your hair and makeup,” Dana says as she opens the door. A man with a pink tackle box and satchel of gear enters the room like he owns the place.

“Where is my bride?” he says with cluck of his tongue and a snap of his fingers. It’s obvious from the black skinny jeggings to the flouncy shirt pulled to the waist by a studded black leather belt that this is my stylist. His blonde hair is sleek and cropped into a perfect fauxhawk with a bouffant at the end. He’s wearing the coolest shimmery lip gloss on a perfect model pout. I don’t think I have to go out on a limb to say he’s gay. “I’m Randi, it’s my name and favorite emotion,” he comes over to me and runs his fingers through my red hair. “Please…to the F, to the U-C-K yes, tell me you’re my bride?” His eyes are a see-through blue and shining with mirth, reminding me of Maria’s kind eyes.

I nod and he falls to his knees, clasps my hands and kisses the top of each one. “Randi with an “I” at your service, my queen,” he grins and then pops back up. I love him already. Looking over at Colleen proves she definitely does not have those same feelings for Randi who likes to be randy.

“I’ll be back after I check on things,” Dana says. “Ms. Davis, would you like to come check things out? Make sure everything’s as planned?” she offers.

“Thank you, darling. Don’t mind if I do. Would you be so kind...” She gestures to the back of her chair. I’m one hundred percent positive the woman never pushes her own chair. It would be beneath her to get her gold dipped fingers dirty. Hell, she might even break a nail. The world would end as we know it if that happened.

Dana goes over and pushes Colleen to the door. I mouth a “Thank You” and she grins, leaving Randi-with-an-I to tend to my hair and makeup.

Randi is a master at his craft. Two hours later, my hair is styled to perfection and my makeup has never been more beautiful. I actuallyfeelpretty. Randi air-kisses each of my cheeks then saunters over to his stuff.

“Don’t mess up my art until after the ceremony,” he warns.

I put a hand up to my forehead and salute him. “You got it, sir!”

“See you back in the States. I’m your new stylist in case you were wondering,” he says grabbing his things.

“You are? I didn’t know Chase or Dana hired anyone.” I’m confused that I haven’t been told about it.

He smiles, opens the door and turns back to me. “They didn’t. You’re going to. Someone has to keep that wild red hair in check and those cheeks a rosy hue for all the fancy-dancy pants dinners. Like I said, see you back in the States?” He holds his pointed look, clearly waiting for me to answer.

“Consider yourself hired, Randi,” I say.

“Don’t let anyone else touch you until we’re back home,” he says and turns right into a tall, dark, superhero. My fiancé.

Chase grabs Randi around the neck and waist and shoves him into the room and against the wall. Randi panics screaming like a little girl.

“Let him go!” I yell trying to be heard over Randi’s desperate kicking and screaming.

Chase turns his head, “You know this guy?” he growls. Then he puts his face into Randi’s frightened one. “That’s my woman and I’ll be the only one touching her. Who the fuck are you?” he roars.

“Mistake, mistake, mistake!” Randi’s eyes are bulging, Chase’s hand loosens up.

“He’s my stylist, Chase! Let him go. He was talking about my hair!” comes out of my mouth so loud I felt my own teeth rattle. I suck in a breath once Chase lets the dangling man drop to the floor. I rush over to Randi, who’s sputtering and chocking. I get him a glass of water and bring it over.

Randi takes a sip then looks at me, fear in his eyes. “Jesus H. Christ you’re marrying the Hulk!” Chase barrels over and Randi jumps up and hides behind me, pushing me in front of him.

Instantly I lift two hands in front of Chase. His eyes are wild and his nostrils are flaring. “Baby, he’s harmless. Breathe,” I say while stroking his chest. Finally his eyes take in my appearance. My hair is done, my makeup perfect and I’m standing in the crème robe he plucked off me the other day. All of my special undergarments are on underneath. A sexy surprise for later.

“Why is he in here alone with you? Where’s Austin!” he scolds. Austin pops his head in from behind the back door where he’s keeping an eye on things.

“Sir, you need something?” Austin says.

“Who let this joker in? He could have hurt her,” Chase growls. Austin cracks a grin but immediately rights it when Chase narrows his gaze at him.

Randi snickers. “What, with my makeup brush? Puh-leeze. Lighten up, big guy, you’re going to give yourself a hernia,” he jokes. Chase’s jaw tightens in just that way and he grinds his teeth. Randi scampers back behind me.

“Chase, Dana hired him to do my hair and makeup. See,” I point to the awesome work he did. Chase looks it over and his eyes soften, lips turning into a sweet grin.

With mesmerizing speed, he pulls me into his arms. “You look magnificent, baby.” He takes a deep breath. “Sorry I overreacted.” He nuzzles my nose and then kisses me slow, wet, and deep. Just the way I like.

Randi tosses his hands in the air. “Damn it! Now I have to redo that. Isn’t there some bad luck mumbo jumbo about the man not seeing the bride before the wedding?” he huffs.

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