Page 28 of Perfect Blend

My head spun as Mikey took control of my mouth, my body, my soul. Looping my arms around his neck, I tried to show him how grateful I was for his support and how happy I was that he was there.

I pulled back when I heard voices down the hallway, then leaned in and gave him a quick peck. “Can we talk later?”

“God, yes.” He beamed at me. “Now, put me to work.”

* * *

MIKEY

“I can’t getover how different you look without the beard.” I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off Dave since I’d arrived at the venue. Even before he’d kissed me senseless. I poked one of his dimples.

Dave pulled back his hand. “You’re not supposed to make me laugh while I’m doing your eye makeup.”

I fought the urge to stroke Dave’s cheek to feel how smooth it was. Nearly a dozen people buzzed around us in the crowded space as everyone hurried to get ready. Despite how badly I craved it, it wasn’t the time or place to pull him in for a kiss. I could wait until we were alone. Iwouldwait for him. He was worth it.

Something had changed between us. I wasn’t sure whether it was because I was heading back to Seattle tomorrow or that our second kiss had busted through whatever flimsy dam had tried to keep my feelings at bay.

“Have you been practicing in your heels?” His breath fanned across my face as he deftly applied color to my eyelids.

I’d practiced for an hour earlier until my feet screamed at me. I’d needed a distraction after checking my email and seeing a message from my boss to the team with details about the promotion. Confirmation that it would require relocating to Chicago and to please let her know if anyone wanted to officially be considered.And, great news, there’s a relocation budget!Days ago, I would’ve been thrilled. Now, I was more confused than ever. A part of me had hoped she would turn the position remote since most of the writers were spread all over the country. But at the end of the day, she was one of those people who thought the only way to be an effective team was to have all leaders together in person. She wouldn’t care that I’d found someone and wanted to see where it might go.

People talked loudly around us, joking, laughing, and helping each other into their drag, but none of it mattered when Dave’s hands were on me. It felt like we were the only people in the room.

“I’ve got the blisters to prove it.”

“I’ve got one of those plug-in foot bath things and Epsom salts. You’re welcome to come back to my place and use it.”

I knew I should keep my eyes closed while Dave applied the eyeshadow, but I had to read his expression. His stare was intense, hungry. The blended shades of brown and black eyeshadow made his blue eyes pop. I couldn’t wait to see him in his wig. I bet he would be beautiful.

“My feet could use a spa treatment.”

Dave’s dimples deepened. “It’s a date.”

My breath hitched. “It is.”

“Dave, what do I do with this? My Spanx is showing through the sheer top of the dress.”

Dave’s back popped as he straightened from where he’d been leaning into my space. “Be right there,” he said to someone behind me. He squeezed my upper thigh like a promise. “Back in a minute.”

I didn’t reach for the handheld mirror near me despite my near-overwhelming curiosity to see myself in a way I never had. Drag had never been on my bucket list, but I was thrilled to be experiencing it. I hadn’t even done it yet and already wanted to again.

I watched Dave help people through a series of wardrobe malfunctions and desperate questions about applying false eyelashes. With each passing minute, I fell more in love with Dahlia Springs and the people. Particularly one person. It was too soon forreallove, but it was certainly the start of something special.

I could live here so easily.

While Dave finished my makeup, I couldn’t shake the idea of moving to Dahlia Springs or at least visiting to spend more time with Dave and find out if there was something between us. I desperately wanted there to be. But my job. If I got a chance at the senior writer position, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to explore things with Dave. I would never ask him to try out a long-distance relationship. Dahlia Springs to Seattle was one thing, but Oregon to Illinois with him running his own business? No way. If I didn’t get the job, I could try things with Dave. It twisted my stomach to even consider wishing I didn’t get it. I’d wanted that job for years.

“Five minutes to showtime,” someone called into the room.

Dave spritzed my face with something he said would help the makeup stay on if I sweated from the hot lights on stage. He stood back and assessed his work. “You look gorgeous, as always, despite my shitty makeup skills.”

As always? I grinned as I scratched my fingernails down the side of his thigh.

He handed me a mirror, and my breath left me. He was right. I looked stunning. He’d used the same colors on my face as he had on his own. My eyes looked sultry, and whatever he’d done to my lips made them look thicker. I wondered if the lipstick would leave marks on Dave’s skin. I hoped I would get the chance to find out later.

The first performer, a drag king, came back to the room and guzzled a bottle of water. “The place is packed,” he said.

I swallowed. Dave’s presence had distracted me from my nerves, but now they took center stage.

---