Page 76 of Flame
I dab at my eyes and sniffle. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
“Oh, Bianca.”
She sets down her brush and pulls me toward her.
The contact breaks me, causing the tears to spill down my cheeks. I don’t know why I’m crying or how to save my self-respect after this burst of emotional vulnerability. All I know is that being hugged by this woman I just met means more to me than anything. This is the hug I’ve been needing.
I pull away, sniffling. “I just screwed up your handiwork.”
She takes a tissue and dries my face. “Then it’s a good thing I can fix it.”
“You’re too nice to me.”
“You’re family.” She winks, getting back to work on repairing my tearstained cheeks. “So I’m sure we’ll fight it out someday. It’s all about balance.”
“I was just thinking about my brothers …” I sigh. “I often think they’re the biggest pains in the asses in the world. But, for whatever reason, I wish they were here today.”
Her brows pull together. “Why did you say they aren’t coming?”
“Oh,um, the wedding was a last-minute thing, and they’re all busy. It’s hard to expect anyone to travel across the country with less than twenty-four hours' notice.”
That and we can’t tip off my father.
“We’ll have a party later,” I say. “It’s probably for the best, anyway. If Tate and Banks were in the same room, it might catch on fire.”
She laughs, then fills my lips with pink lipstick.
Damaris taps on the door. “May I come in, ladies?”
Pippa steps back and assesses her work. “You’re done and insanely beautiful. Check you out, hottie.”
She steps away from the mirror so I can see myself.Wow. I look like I usually do, just elevated. I’m …pretty.
“Bianca?” Damaris asks.
“Oh, yes. Please, come in.”
I don’t know why I suddenly have an overwhelming need for approval, but I do.
I stand, smoothing out the flattering white sundress Astrid found at Halcyon. The tiered-ruffle empire-waist design is finished with self-tie shoulder straps and hosts a swingy hem. With the smocked back panel, it gives me a breezy silhouette that’s simple and elegant.
Damaris’s hands clasp in front of her. “Bianca.Oh, my gosh. You are stunning.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. That dress is divine.” She bumps her hips with Pippa. “And you did a tremendous job on the makeup. You can barely tell she has any on, and the way you brought out her beautiful eyes? Amazing.”
Pippa beams.
Damaris takes a tissue and dabs her eyes. “Okay. I came bearing a gift.”
“You didn’t have to bring me anything. If anyone owes anyone a gift, I owe you for putting this whole day together.”
“Nonsense.” In her hand lies a small blue ribbon, only about four inches long. “This is a bookmark from Foxx’s baby book. I thought you may need something blue.”
I’m unsure what to say as I take the satin fabric between my fingers.She was planning on giving this to Foxx’s actual wife.This doesn’t feel right, but I can’t say no. “This is so precious, Damaris. You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to, sweet girl. Now, do you have the rest of the rhyme? Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?”
