Page 8 of Say Yes to the Nemesis
But this? Elena’s horrible idea would sure do the trick. God, I really want that.
I make a face. “I’m not even the type of girl usually featured on these shows. They’re poised and polished. I’m… something else.”
“We could fix that for you.” Marcus sizes me up. “A haircut, a new wardrobe. Maybe we’d whiten your teeth so they pop on camera…”
My hand flies up to my mouth. “What’s wrong with my teeth?”
“Nothing,” Elena says, patting my arm. “When you’re on camera, darling, things have to be bigger and brighter. That’s all.”
“Oh.” I scrunch my face up.
“Don’t do that with your face. You will give yourself wrinkles.” Elena grabs my hand. “Listen to me, carina. You are the perfect ringer. You are the right age, the right height, the right…” Her eyes travel to my waist and snag on my bulky clothing. “Well, I can’t see what kind of body you have. But it doesn’t matter. Say yes, and I could be writing you the biggest check you could imagine.”
I picture a yassified version of myself: elegant, radiant, dolled up in Audrey Hepburn’s pearls and that little black dress she wears inBreakfast at Tiffany’s.In my head, I’m accepting a giant foam check from Elena like I just saved the world. I giggle.
I have to admit, the money is pretty damn tantalizing. It’s enough to make Ryan seem… less repulsive. I’m trapped. They know it.
But more than the money, it’s the thought that’s been nagging at me since I walked in here. Jay always said I couldn’t handle pressure. Couldn’t handle risk. Couldn’t be the face of anything important. I’m not doing this for Elena. Or even for the money.
I’m doing this to prove everyone wrong. Especially him.
I picture myself six months from now, still invisible, still being introduced as “Jay’s little sister.” Still folding merchandise and staying safely in the background where no one can judge me or find me lacking.
“I…” My heart pounds so hard I can hear it in my ears. “Okay.” My voice is barely a whisper, but it’s out there. I can’t take it back.
“Excelente.” Elena’s tone is firm. “This will do wonders for your career.”
“You think so?” I flush. “I want to be like you.”
The moment it’s out of my mouth, I cringe. God, how embarrassing. I want to be like you? Ugh, pathetic. I sound like a kid talking to her favorite teacher.
She wraps her arm around my waist and winks at me. “Smart girls like us, we have to stick together,si? We know how to make things happen.”
There’s something almost maternal in her touch, but also predatory. Like she’s claiming me.
“Let’s get you over to the makeup department. Give you a glow-up, you know?”
Elena pushes me out the door. I swallow, wondering just what I have signed myself up for.
One thing is certain: I know a certain six-foot-five hockey player that will not be thrilled to find out this latest news.
Ryan is going to be pissed.
Actually, scratch that. Ryan’s going to be more than pissed. He’s going to be absolutely furious. And somehow, the thought of his shocked face when he realizes what I’ve done makes this whole insane plan almost worth it.
Almost.
God, what have I gotten myself into?
three
WREN
One time,when I was in sixth grade, I was a bridesmaid at my cousin Jenna’s wedding. The girls in the wedding party sat in big chairs while an extremely hip man carefully did our hair and our makeup. At twelve, I was deeply excited to wear a fancy dress and a little bit of colored lip gloss. I ended up getting food poisoning and vomiting on myself during the reception, but that’s beside the point.
That’s the only experience I can really compare being Cinderella’d to. Except I didn’t ask to be Cinderella this time. I didn’t ask for the fairy godmother or the glitter. I just wanted a job. A purpose. Not a mirror filled with someone I barely recognize.
Elena sits me down in a big, comfortable chair facing a mirror. There’s a massive spread of cosmetics laid out in front of me, glittering under the lights like treasure.
