Page 14 of Confused AF
“True,” Vaden agreed, but he didn’t move. “How about I grab you some coffee while you get everything set up?”
I bobbed my head eagerly. “Yes, please.”
Vaden chuckled, cuffed my ear again, and pushed to his feet.
From there, the rest of the afternoon passed without incident. I had a smaller audience for my tutorial than in previous days, likely due to the panels going on at the same time. It was kind of hard to compete with expensive swag bags and brand giveaways.
Still, I had enjoyed interacting with those who showed up, and I appreciated how engaged they’d been. When a woman who looked to be in her early forties had copied the technique perfectly, I didn’t know who had been more excited, me or her.
I loved it when something I suggested clicked with people, and it made my heart happy to see the immediate boost in their confidence.
Once everyone had dispersed, I glanced around for Vaden, frowning when I didn’t see him. Though he liked to give me space while I worked, he usually didn’t go too far.
Thinking maybe he had wandered off to find something for an early dinner, I shrugged and started packing away my products. I didn’t have anything else on the schedule for the day after my interview with Chloe, so I figured I might as well get a head start on breaking everything down.
“Leaving so soon?”
I froze, my hand hovering over my makeup brushes. I glanced up, but I didn’t lift my head, meaning the only thing in my line of sight was a pair of slender legs draped in loose cotton. I didn’t need to see the face to recognize that voice, though.
“What do you want, Kassidy?”
“Is it true?”
“Is what true?” I asked, still not looking at her as I returned to the task of packing away my tools.
“Do you really have an interview with Chloe Rae?”
It would be satisfying to confirm the interview, maybe even rub it in a little, but I didn’t. I would love to say I considered myself above such pettiness, but in actuality, I knew better than to include Kassidy in my business.
It had been a hard lesson to learn, and one I vowed never to forget.
Three years ago, I’d had the ideas, the formulas, and the perfect shades for my enchanted eyeshadow collection. I had just lacked the magic necessary to bring them to life. When Kassidy had agreed to partner with me, it had seemed like a dream come true, a turning point in my career.
Our “collaboration” had lasted for three months—just long enough for her to steal years of my work and market it as her own.
“You’re really not going to talk to me?” She huffed and stomped her foot. “Or even look at me?”
I kept my head down and continued working, sighing in relief when she eventually gave up and marched away.
It had been like a punch in the gut to see her at the expo that first day, especially knowing that she had made it there because of what she’d taken from me. Reopening old wounds wouldn’t change what had happened, though, and at this point, I just wanted to move on and forget I had ever met her.
Lost in thought, I moved on autopilot, carefully separating and boxing the various tools of my craft. Despite the distraction, I made decent progress, and I had just finished packing away the color-changing palettes when I felt a familiar presence behind me.
“There you are,” I greeted without turning.
“Change of plans,” Vaden said, crowding against my back and bending his head close to my ear to be heard over the noise. “I just spoke to Chloe’s assistant.”
“Oh?” I tried to make it sound casual, but my hands stilled, and I couldn’t stop the tension that crept into my neck.
“Her panel is running late, and she wants to know if you’d be okay with rescheduling the interview for tomorrow morning.”
Okay, that didn’t sound so bad. In fact, I actually kind of preferred it. Not only did it give me more time to prepare, but I’d be rested and able to think more clearly.
“No problem. Do we have room in the schedule?”
Vaden stepped closer, his chest pressing against my back now. “I suggested nine o’clock, before the doors open. That way you won’t be distracted or have to hurry to your next appointment.”
“That’s actually kind of perfect.” Then again, I shouldn’t have been surprised. Vaden had a knack for knowing exactly what I needed in any given moment.
