Page 34 of Hale Yes
Dr. Hale cracks a grin, causing a small dimple to appear in one cheek, and that doesnothelp my attraction to him one little bit.
“You have no idea how many times we heard that growing up. I was a pretty chill kid when I was by myself, but Phoenix always seemed to drag me into some mischief when we were together.”
“Your poor parents,” I laugh.
“My mother likes to name her gray hairs after us. The majority of them are named Phoenix.”
Ahh, so Dr. Helix Hale does have a sense of humor.
“What would you like me to do on the McNamara campaign?”
He walks around the lab table and slides some color cards, photos, and sample jars across to me. “Maybe give me another set of eyes to help me finalize? It’s weird. I’m usually really good with colors,” he says, an amused smile turning up the corners ofhis lips like he just told himself a private joke.I wonder what that’s about.
“Of course,” I say, pulling a picture of Jordie from the stack and studying it. She’s a stunning natural beauty, not plain at all, just a really pretty young woman without makeup.
Dr. Hale is silent while I flip through photos of her and read the campaign proposal.
“Okay,” I finally breathe. “First of all, Jordie is very popular. I’m not even from Texas, and I know who she is. What if we develop an eyeshadow palette with her name on it? She’s young and fresh, and even though she doesn’t seem to wear a lot of makeup, I bet she would have fun selecting some colors to go in it. Maybe some lipsticks as well. Your marketing department could even make a logo label with a football shaped like a heart or something.”
My boss’s blue eyes seem to glitter with excitement. “Yeah, I like that idea. It might make her feel like a part of the whole process instead of just showing up for photo shoots while people primp her.”
I examine the sample jars and slide one over to him. “I like the neutral lipstick you picked out, but I’d use this foundation. It’s more sheer and will let her freckles show through. Play up her youth and appeal to the younger demographic.” Glancing at her picture again, I say, “She doesn’t need a lot of coverage because she has the kind of flawless skin women die for.”
“You have really pretty skin too,” Dr. Hale says a second before his eyes pop into rounded orbs of panic. “I mean, objectively speaking, you have nice skin. As a professional, that’s my professional opinion. Professionally.”
Despite my attempts to hold it in, a small snort escapes at his rambling. “Don’t worry about it, Dr. Professional. I’m not offended.”
He huffs a relieved breath. “Okay, I just didn’t want you to think I’m… because I’m not… Dammit, why aren’t my words working today?” Running a hand over his handsome face, he shakes his head. “I apologize for cursing in front of you, Dr. Bell.”
I wave a dismissive hand. “I grew up in Jersey. You’ll have to come at me with something a lot stronger thandammitif you want to offend me.”
That stupid dimple makes another appearance with his crooked smile. “I’ll remember that. Now what else?” He leans forward with his forearms on the lab table, and I catch a whiff of chlorine.
“I like the idea of a soft purple eyeshadow for the photo shoot, but I think this one,” I tap the top of one of the tiny jars, “is too bright. Maybe something a little more earthy. I can mix up a couple samples for you to look at, perhaps add a little taupe to tone it down.”
His head bobs us and down. “I look forward to seeing what you come up with.”
I pull one of the color cards and point to an aquamarine color. “Jordie’s eyes are the first things that jump out at me when I look at her photo. A touch of this would make a beautiful complementary color to the purple and really make her pop.”
This isn’t the most scientific part of working in a cosmetics lab. There’s so much testing and regulation that goes into making products that are safe and effective. But it sure is the most fun.
“Anything else?”
“Out of the two blush colors, I like this one.” I slide one of the samples toward him. “The other is too pink. This has a more peachy tone if we’re going for the girl-next-door look.”
“Good, good,” he mutters almost to himself as he scratches down notes on a spreadsheet that rests on his clipboard. Myheart flutters a little at the fact that he’s writing down my ideas. It’s been so long since anyone has actually listened to me at work. I’ve felt almost obsolete for a while, like a well-trained monkey could do my job just as effectively.
“I’ll get started on the lavender samples,” I say, and Dr. Hale pops his head up from his clipboard before glancing at the digital clock at the end of the room.
“It’s almost time to call it quits for the day. Why don’t you knock off a little early? You can do the samples tomorrow.”
“I don’t mind,” I argue, but he gives me a scowl that makes my core tingle for reasons I’d rather not think about.
“I insist,” he says, his voice dropping about an octave.
I clamp my jaw shut before it can go slack. Damn, there’s something about a commanding man. After straightening my area, I say goodbye to Dr. Hale and the other two employees who are at the farthest table working on paperwork.
Since I seem to find myself with some spare time today, I head to the medical center and locate The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, something I’ve been meaning to do since I moved here.
