Page 86 of Butterfly

“We’ll start shooting in a couple of hours. If you want to join us, you need to hurry. The song is very simple. You’ll have to sing only the chorus.”

Alex’s presence burns the back of my head. He’s standing behind me, a hand on the small of my back. His shadow looms over Dylan.

“Dylan,” he grits out. “You found my girl.”

Dylan’s blue eyes glint. “I was telling Sienna she should join the singers in the next scene. It should be more fun than sitting and waiting for you.”

“It’s all right, actually,” I say, glancing at Alex.

He takes my hand, love smoothing his features. “If you want to do it, I’m sure that Ursula can help you.” He raises his brow. “She can do anything with the prosthetics,” he whispers, leaning closer.

My heart flutters. Imagine. My scars would disappear.

At hearing her name, the make-up artist, who’s working on Emily’s face, pauses. “Help you with what?”

“Sienna’s make-up,” Alex replies. “Ursula has magic powers. You can trust her,” he whispers to me as he brushes my back with his fingertips. Right then, a girl in that skimpy, colourful costume walks past us.

How would it feel to wear something that leaves my back naked without having to worry about people judging me? And if I’m being honest, I’d love to go on set and be part of the circus.

Ursula tilts her head towards me. “Sienna, would you like to try it then?”

The idea of having to show my back to a woman I met a few days ago isn’t exactly exciting. But I’m too curious to see if she can cover my scars. “Yes.”

~ * ~

I CAN’T BELIEVE it.

I’m twirling in front of the wall mirror in Ursula’s room, where she spent the last half an hour covering my scars with something sticky and thick. After my first moment of reluctance to uncover my back—I have to thank Bethany and Fiona for this newfound confidence—I relaxed on the settee. To her credit, Ursula was a perfect professional when I showed her my back, although I suspect that Alex talked to her. Not a sound escaped from her at the sight of my scars, but I felt compelled to give her an explanation. I told her I’d been abused by my foster father, and she hugged me before getting to work.

The result is unbelievable. No bumps, no rough skin, and no scars. My back is as smooth as a peach.

“It’ll last for hours.” Ursula wipes her hands on a cloth, studying my back. “I’ll remove the prosthetic and the foundation, but you might need to scrub your skin under the shower later to get all the paste off.”

“It’s fantastic.” In the costume, I bend over and shake my hips. The fake skin doesn’t crack. It follows my movements. “I have to show it to Alex.” I take her hand and drag her out of the room.

The transparent skirt flaps around my legs, light and silky. The bikini top has a triangular shape that barely covers my breasts, but I’ve never felt so free. Air hits my naked back, and it’s the most thrilling sensation I’ve ever experienced.

Alex is sitting on his personal chair when I stop in front of him, breathless. “Look.” I spin and show him my back, shoving my hair aside.

“Bloody hell.” He touches my back. His touch reaches me, muffled by the prosthetic.

“I’m normal.” I laugh and hug Ursula, then Alex.

Something passes between them. Ursula’s brown eyes brighten, but she hides her face by coughing into her fist.

“Glad to be of help.” She gives me another quick hug.

I can’t stop glancing at my back. “Awesome job. Thank you.”

“That’s my job.” She pats my shoulder.

I hug Alex too. “Thanks.”

He chuckles. “I’m sure I didn’t do anything.”

“Dylan bothers you, but you put aside your annoyance to help me do something I wanted.” I kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

He lowers his eyebrows, giving me a menacing look with his electric eyes. “A kiss like that isn’t enough. I expect an adequate thank you when we are alone later,” he whispers.

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