Page 12 of Blood of the Sirens
Javi sighed and threw his hands in the air. “Whatever. You’re a big girl.”
He followed me to the back room, and I quickly shucked off my pants and traded my sandal flats for kitten heels. I fluffed out my hair with my hands and turned to him for inspection.
“Well? Not too bad, right?”
Javi stood back, an introspective look on his face and his hand on his hip. A finger trailed his lip as his eyes roved over me. One finger crooked out at me. “Come here.”
I obeyed, stopping in front of him and turning around. His hands deftly took my thick strands of hair in his fingers and he expertly twisted and tucked.
“Got a hair tie?” he asked.
I held up my wrist, and he fished the black band off of me. My head jerked back and forth as he finished up, pulling a few strands free to frame my face.
“Now, turn around.”
I did so, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. Javi knew more about fashion and makeup than I ever could, so I had to trusthim. He dove into one of the other worker’s cubbies, coming up with a shade of bright red lipstick.
“That’s Mara’s,” I warned, narrowing my eyes.
“Such a big brain, Miss Science Pants,” he cajoled, smearing a bit on his fingers, then applying it to my lips. “Besides, she’s on maternity leave. She’ll never know.” He studied me. “Perfecto. Let’s go peep on the patrons.”
Javi and I threaded our way through the claustrophobic corridor of the tiny boat and up to the kitchens. We hid behind the push-through doors, peering out through the circular windows to get a glimpse of our patrons for the night.
“Mike said they’re classier than our normal folks,” Javi admitted. And indeed he was right. The first few people to be helped on board were dressed to the nines in tuxedos and long, sparkling cocktail dresses.
I raised a brow. “What’s the occasion?”
“Something with the university. Higher ups doing higher up things.” He watched me carefully for a reaction.
I tried to keep my face blank, I really did, but my heart seized in my chest, my throat tight as faces swam in front of me; the same professors who’d ruined my life.
As more people came on board, I recognized them one by one: the dean of my department, who’d been at the hearing where he’d informed me I was no longer a student. On his arm was his blonde wife, tittering softly and fluttering her eyes at everyone. A few of my professors were also present, looking unsure but thrilled to be there as they moved to take a seat at the tables, since dinner would get served shortly.
The president of the university herself came aboard next, three men (including the dean) falling over themselves to assist her with the step from the dock to the boat. If I wasn’t so triggered, I might have laughed.
“Well then,”Javi huffed.
“You two make better doors than windows,” gruffed Miguel, the head cook.
We moved to the side and I put my back to the door, swallowing heavily. “I don’t think I can do this,” I said weakly.
Javi’s eyes darted back and forth from the guests to me, even as Miguel grumpily pushed an hors d'oeuvres tray into his hands.
“If you want to bail, I’ll cover you. I’ll think of the nastiest excuse: diarrhea, or you were blowing chunks over the side. Or your period! Better yet, your period gave you diarrhea and then you started blowing chunks.”
Miguel glared at me in silent warning, as if I were about to do it all his food. I ignored him. Gratitude heated my insides and gave me warm fuzzies from Javi’s support, but I knew I couldn’t just run away from my problems. As tempting as it would be.
“I can’t leave you alone with all the work,” I protested.
Javi snorted. “Ah, but you forget how charismatic I am. And I’d get all the tips from these rich bastards.”
I pushed him playfully, and he flashed me his debonair smile. The faux-diamond stud in his ear winked at me.
“Still trying to find that sugar daddy to whisk you away from here?” I teased.
He sighed as if living were a burden. “One day my prince will come.”
I laughed and knew I could get through this. It wouldn’t be fun, but I’d survive.
