Page 17 of Dangerous Encore
4
Violet
The knockon the doorisloud.
Iflinch.
I'm in the makeup chair. I'm not supposed to move, much lessflinch.
"Oh, shit." The makeup artist, Kelsey, draws my brow line all the way to my ear. "Let me fix that. Piper, could you get that? It should be Ms.Valentine."
I suck a deep breath through my nose. This is the end of my light afternoon (turns out shopping for honeymoon lingerie is good forthemood).
My mom is almost here. It's not because she's spying or babysitting. She wants makeup, so she looks nice in all our photos. She wants to make sure we'll all look like we belongtogether.
Piper is my entire bridal party. I'm sure Lacey, Bella, and Athena, my ex-roomie and best friend, would have jumped at the chance to help out, but I only wanted Piper standing with me at thealtar.
I love my friends, but Piper is family. Even if it's notofficialyet.
In theory, with me in my black and purple dress, and Piper and Mom in dresses in any shade of purple, we should look goodtogether.
But, inreality…
God, I feel like I'm in high school again. It's like I'm getting ready for school pictures, and I'm bracing myself to fight with Mom about myeyeliner.
My palms go clammy. I barely manage to get out my exhale. I'm an adult, with an apartment and a job and a fiancé. I shouldn't care if Mom likes my dress or mymakeup.
ButIdo.
Kelsey dips a Q-tip in eye makeup remover then wipes off the smudged pencil. Her eyes stay on her work. "Let me fix this before you decide if you want more or less." She dabs my browbone dry then gets to work fixing mysmokyeye.
The front door opens. Piper and Mom exchange some greeting I can't make out. They soundhappy.
Their voices get louder as they move closer. This studio is actually Kelsey's apartment, and it's a cozyspace.
"Have you seen the dress?" Piper asks. "It'samazing."
"Violet took it to the tailor the day she received it. No one else has seen it." Mom waves hello to me. "Hey, sweetie. I won't ask you togetup."
"Thanks." I start to turntowardher.
Kelsey grabs my face. "One more minute then youcanhug."
My laugh is more awkward than anything. "Okay." I try to stare straight in front of me the way I'msupposedto.
Kelsey dabs eyeliner. Then highlight. Then one more coat of mascara for goodmeasure.
She pulls back. "We can go more dramatic. But this is a good baseline." She motions to my mom. "Hugs first, then tell me what youthink."
I turn to Mom and take a deepbreath.
She's in her usual work outfit. A smart navy suit. Light makeup. Auburn hair in a bun. She's practically the dictionary entry forclassy businesswoman.
"It's very you, sweetie." She holds up her arms and motionscomehere.
I push myself up then make my way to her. I'm moving at half speed. My muscles are stiffandachy.
Even so, I melt into the hug. "Howwaswork?"
