Page 16 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

Damon: Your boyfriend is back at the club. Come get him.

I called Kara right away.

“Kar? I need your help.”

Chapter Five

Veronica

Getting primped by Kara was like preparing for battle. Her weapons were laid out tidily on the bathroom counter: a palette of eye shadow and different types of brushes were lined up like soldiers, and tubes of lipstick and powders stood like tanks.

“Now sit, Ver, and let the master take over,” she said confidently, pulling up her sleeves and surveying my face. “Just close your eyes and let me make you more gorgeous than Cinde-fucking-rella at the ball. When I’m done, Lockhart will be on his knees, shoving that glass slipper on your dainty feet. Can you hear him begging yet?” She chuckled. “Cuz I sure can.”

I trusted Kara. I really did, but when I felt the pat, pat, pat of her fingers on my cheeks, the different kinds of creams she slapped on my face, the soft whisper of brushes on my skin, and the creamy feel of lipstick on my lips, I was scared.

“Kar. Please. Just the red lipstick.”

She scoffed and, to humor me, played Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” on her iPhone. “Oh, puh-lease, I’m a black belt at this, Ver. You’re going to worship the ground I walk on once you see yourself.”

She started dancing, raising her arms and swaying them in tune with the music. “This is what I’m going to tell that asshole Cameron once he wakes up from his stupid Sleeping Beauty slumber and starts chasing me. Wait for the lyrics, wait for it…”

She belted out the rest of the lyrics, screaming at the top of her lungs how he won’t stop calling and she’s k-kinda busy. When she was done, she rested her hands on the back of my chair.

“Okay, ready? In three, two, one.”

She whirled my chair around so I faced the mirror. I blinked at my reflection. I looked beautiful. I felt beautiful.

“Well?” she asked, eyebrow raised.

“You’re a miracle worker,” I whispered. “I’ll build you an altar and worship you.”

“I know, right? I’m Catwoman, and my whip is my cruelty-free makeup, baby. Rawr. Now squeeze your ass in that red dress, and let’s go get your man back.”

“Thank you.” I hugged her.

“Now don’t forget that trick I taught you. Bite your lip, blink slowly like in the movies, and flick your hair over your shoulder like an invitation, ya hear?”

“Yes, master.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

* * *

The club was dark, with glowing lights and music that pulsated in my ears. The smell of spicy food and sweet drinks hung in the air. I was wearing the red bandage dress, high heels, and the red lipstick I had on that night I met Caleb. That night he saved me.

Tonight, I was going to save us both.

If he would let me.

My heart lurched when I sp

otted Caleb sitting with the same crowd from last night, except there were two girls sitting beside him now. One of them placed her hand on his shoulder.

Don’t touch him!

He was wearing an open black leather jacket over a white V-neck shirt and dark jeans. A drink sat on the table in front of him, and he stared at it as if it held all the answers. He didn’t look like he was having a good time or even paying attention to the people around him. Maybe he was planning on leaving soon.

Don’t leave.

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