I’ve been sitting in Pierre’s chair for the last two hours. When I agreed to this, I had no idea they meant two actual hours. I have no idea what this is going to cost, not that Cane will care, but it seems so silly, really.
My hair has been washed, conditioned, and curled. It’s been pulled into an up-do that Pierre spent a half hour perfecting. I need to remember to get a picture of this so I can have it replicated when we get back to the Valley. I can’t see myself wearing my hair any other way for the wedding now.
My makeup has been done with colors I never would’ve thought of using. As the layers were being applied, I thought I’d look like a call girl. It was way more makeup than I ever use. I wouldn’t know how to use most of the products Pierre applied. But when he whirls me around in the large, plush, black chair so I can see myself, I’m astonished.
I look like me, just a glamorous version of me. If I didn’t see him apply a million layers of makeup, I’d swear he used none. Everything looks so natural.
Pierre stands behind me, his eyes sparkling. “Gorgeous, right?”
“Pierre . . .” I start to touch my hair but stop. “I just . . . Can you come to Phoenix and do this for my wedding?”
He laughs and places a comb back in its container.
“I wasn’t kidding. This is incredible. You did an amazing job!”
“Jada!” Kari exclaims, her hand flying to her mouth as she walks in the room. “Oh my God!”
“He did an amazing job, didn’t he? But look at you! So gorgeous!”
Kari’s hair has been curled into large waves and hangs down. Her eyes are wide and gorgeous. She has a pinkish lipstick staining her lips and her skin is flawless, as always.
”You like?”
“No, I love! Have you looked in the mirror, Kari?”
“I have. They really did an amazing job. Can we kidnap them and take them home with us?”
Pierre laughs. “If I wasn’t gay, I’d just go home with you two. Just saying.”
I smile and start to speak when Shera comes back in, a large bouquet of flowers in her hand. They are in a multitude of different shades of pink. She hands them to me. “These are for you, Jada.”
Kari grins, a knowing look on her face. I don’t bother to ask her any questions because I know she won’t answer them. Instead, I dig through the foliage and pull out a pink envelope. Just like the others, there’s a card inside.
‘To Marry You’ is printed on this one.
I feel the sting of tears hit my eyes. I knew from the first card that this was Cane’s doing, but the longer this goes on—the longer he had to plan this—it just gets sweeter. And so un-Cane like. Cane’s sweet, but he’s not overly romantic. And this? This is romantic.
I wipe the tears away from my eyes and Pierre rushes over to fix the smudges.
“I’m dying over here,” Pierre says, dabbing my cheeks with a tissue. “So jealous! Why doesn’t a man ever send me flowers like that?”
“Mine normally doesn’t do things like this,” I laugh. “Max must be giving him pointers.”
Kari grins. “Max does get a gold star in romance. You ready to get out of here?”
“Yes. Let’s go find our guys.”
CANE
“She’s not texting me back.” My jaw pulses in frustration. I check my texts again. Nothing. “She just fell off the face of the Earth.”
“Nah, she didn’t,” Max says easily from across the room. “Just relax.”
“Relax?” I look up, my eyebrows raised in astonishment. “Really?”
“Yes, really. She’s probably getting her nails done and shit and can’t type.”
Me: What’s going on, Kari?
I set my phone down and drum my fingers against the tabletop. “I’m gonna kill her if she messes this up.”
He quirks a brow. “You won’t and she won’t. Seriously. Calm the fuck down, Alexander.”
My phone buzzes and I snatch it up.
Kari: If you text me again, I’ll fly her home to Arizona.
Me: I’m starting to hate you. What the fuck is going on?
Kari: We just got our hair done and are on our way to the room. Relax.
Me: Why does everyone keep saying that?
Kari: Because you’re acting like an idiot.
Me: Just get her to the room and then text me.
Kari: Okay.
Me: TEXT ME. Don’t ignore me. I’ll be one room away and can be there in a second flat.
Kari: I’ll try. MUAH!
“I just made your life a little easier, Max,” I say, setting my phone down.
“How ya reckon?”
“You don’t need to worry about figuring Kari out because I’m gonna kill her.”
He laughs like he thinks I’m kidding. “I think she’d take ya.”
“She better get her part of this done.”
“She will. Now get in the shower and let’s get this show on the road.”
JADA
The flowers make the entire elevator car smell beautiful. I look at them in the reflection in the mirrors on the walls and they are so sweet. It’s almost like he’s proposing to me again.
“Will you stop bouncing around?” I turn to look at Kari. “Did they spike your champagne in the spa or what?”
“I don’t know. I just feel so relaxed. So happy!”
I roll my eyes. “I have no idea what’s gotten into you.”