Page 39 of Hell Hath No Fury

She frowns at me and then looks at the watch on her wrist as she replies, “We still have a few hours. Why?”

I toss the small bottle in her direction, and she catches it in the air, glancing at it with a frown. “I need your help.”

Carolina joins Agatha, a smile forming on her mouth as she recognizes the bottle for what it is. She holds her hand out, and Agatha sets the bottle in her palm and then says, “Oh, this will be fun.”

“I don’t know about fun, but I think it’s past time.”

I’ve been a bleach-blonde for as long as I can remember. Other than Mickey, Antonio is probably the only person alive who would recognize my natural hair color. Then again, it was so long ago and so much has happened that he might not remember either.

Carolina grabs a chair from the vanity, drags it into the bathroom, and sets it in front of the mirror. She pats the seat,and I immediately fall into it, refusing to change my mind regardless of the anxiety bubbling up inside me.

“There are some scissors in my bag as well. You can tidy it a bit.”

Carolina has worked enough in the entertainment industry to know her way around a minor trim. She puts another towel around my shoulders and then quickly gets to work, barking orders at Agatha, who immediately starts drying my hair. It would have been more convenient if I had thought of this before showering, but like everything in my life, it happens when it happens.

What feels like hours later, I’m back standing in front of the mirror. My hair is significantly shorter and is now a shiny ash-blonde. Carolina applied subtle makeup, accentuating my eyes while still drawing attention to my mouth.

I press my rosy lips together and give her a look. “I know what you’re doing here.”

She smiles at me coyly, her arm moving around my shoulder as she gives me a squeeze. “Just giving you guys a push. Kind of like how you gave me a push.”

I give her a sideways look before focusing back on my reflection in the mirror. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She smiles at me in the mirror, her fingers messing with the ends of my newly refreshed hair. “I’m sure Tony and I would’ve ended up together regardless, but the tricks you played in France moved the timing up, and it turned out that was exactly what we needed.”

“That was more Antonio than me,” I reply honestly. “I tend to stay away from the whole marry-them-off-to-protect-them schtick.”

Carolina laughs, her hands squeezing my shoulders affectionately. “Well, it worked out this time. Maybe you should try it.”

“Me?” I exclaim, laughing uncomfortably. “I think it’s a little late for me.”

“It is never too late,” Carolina responds. “You just have to keep an open mind and remember that this is a long time coming, so there’s no reason to pump the brakes if it comes down to it.”

“Are you advising me to get laid, Car?”

“I mean, I’m not telling you not to,” she replies with a somewhat reserved giggle. “I say if it feels right, then go with it. But you’re the only one who can decide that.”

I pat her hand still resting on my shoulder, my smile genuine. Agatha is standing on my other side, twisting her hands in front of her as she stares at my reflection. Her eyes are suspiciously glassy, and her shoulders slightly slumped as she looks at me. So, I turn to her and ask, “What is it?”

She looks away, blinking rapidly. “I’m just really happy.”

Carolina quietly exits the room, and I turn to face Agatha, grabbing her hands in mine. “Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.”

She gives me a small, watery smile. “Don’t lie to yourself, woman. The only thing standing in your way here is yourself.”

I laugh, pulling her into a hug. “I know. But thank you for being a pain in the ass.”

She returns my hug for a moment and then pulls away, motioning for me to get my ass in gear. “Hurry up. You’re going to be late.” I head toward the door, but right as I’m standing in the doorway, she says, “Promise me something?”

I half-turn toward her, one of my hands resting on the doorjamb. “Anything.”

“Don’t be a bitch.”

Such a crass sentiment, but coming from Agatha, the meaning behind it is clear. I smile, holding her gaze as I nod my agreement. Then I turn and walk out the door.

19

Nerves Of Steel

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