Page 2 of Touch in the Dark

A few minutes later, Jordan’s booming laugh announces the two members of BreakNeck approaching our little workspace.

“Elsa!” Jordan says with a beaming smile, his arms out wide. “I’m so stoked you’re on this shoot today,” he comes over and picks me up, squeezing me tight.

“Put her down asshole,” Archer says, dropping into the makeup chair. “She doesn’t need your filthy hands pawing all over her. Elsa has more class than that,” he winks.

I wobble a little when he sets me down but smile at him all the same.

“What is the look today?” Jordan asks, dropping his lanky frame into the second chair.

“Basic stuff, it’s an aftershave product so they want you to look edgy and tough.”

Archer looks up, pulling out his cell phone. “So, no eyeliner?”

I laugh. “No eyeliner.”

“There’s nothing wrong with a little eyeliner,” Jordan says, picking up a bright red lipstick, taking off the lid and twisting it up. “Sexy.”

I take it from him with a scolding look and he holds up his hands in defence. “I don’t think it’s your shade,” I tell him, and he laughs heartily.

“Okay, baby doll. Hit me with it,” he leans back. Then he notices Regina who has gone quiet suddenly. She looks like a deer in the headlights now. “Howdy,” he salutes her. “You doing okay back there, sweetheart?”

“Hi,” she breathes out. “Yes, I’m fine. Just… a little…”

Archer looks over at her, then me, a grin on his face. I narrow my eyes at him. He isn’t known for his womanising ways, not like Jordan, but I know when a man is checking out a girl. Regina is way too young for him. I introduce her as my college intern, emphasising college. Archer’s head lifts in acknowledgement. He says ‘hi,’ then goes back to his phone.

“No need to freak out,” Jordan says with a cheery grin. “We’re the normal ones. Just wait until Aidan comes in, he’s a diva.”

“He is not,” I nudge Jordan’s shoulder. “Ignore him. Can you sit still while I do this?”

“I can try,” he laughs cheekily, both of us knowing damn well that isn’t going to happen.

Getting to work, I cover him with a gown. He starts telling us about a party they attended last night, how he’d accidentally fell in the hotel pool, unintentionally starting a whole thing of people following him in.

“Yeah, not planned at all,” Archer says sarcastically, without looking up.

“Why, I would never,” he puts his hand on his chest like he is offended and Regina giggles. He gives her his full-on smile and she flushes bright red.

“Face this way,” I remind him.

“It’s a good job you started with him first, or we’d be here all day.”

“Holy shit,” Regina leans back against the wall. “You’re Nick Chambers.”

“Last time I checked,” he comes into the room. “Nice to meet you,” he holds out his hand and I swear Regina is on the verge of fainting.

I can understand why, having the three of them in here, particularly him, is stealing all the oxygen out of the room, or maybe just my lungs.

“So, Nick floats your boat, huh Reggie,” Jordan grins at her through his reflection in the mirror.

Nick takes it in his stride and makes small talk with her, making her damn year if the look on her face is anything to go by. I work through getting Jordan ready for the harsh lights they’re about to be under for the next couple of hours. Once he is done, he saunters out, bellowing about being hungry and thirsty. I move over to Archer and begin prepping his face. He sits still, answering texts and emails as I work. He thanks me when he’s done and leaves.

“Ready for me?”

I swallow. “Sure thing,” I indicate the chair with a small flourish, making him wink at me. Fuck my ovaries. I shift a little and busy myself getting the products I need. His skin tone is a little darker than the other two. It is what makes his eyes pop so much.

“How’ve you been?” he asks. “Following the Lakers?”

“Always,” I reply. My dad got me into basketball when I was a kid. He used to take me to the games. I spent as much time studying the makeup the cheerleaders wore as I did watching the games. “They’re killing it.”

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