Enough. Enough now.
Swallowing shame and uncertainty, I straighten my back. “What are you going to do with my hair then, Mum?”
“A few more curls. Your hair is naturally very beautiful, as is your face. We’re just going to hide those sad eyes.”
I tear my eyes away from her reflection. Shit, it’s obvious?
“Don’t be embarrassed, Texas. You love him, and you’re allowed to be upset if things aren’t happening the way you hoped.”
“I just wish he’d call.” I need to hear his voice. “But if you see me wallowing again, please slap me across the head. Get me looking human, and let’s do this shoot.”
She smiles and captures my long hair in her hands. “You want to try?”
I shrug. “Think I’ll be allowed?”
“Do I think the photographer will want a mother-daughter shoot with Jennifer Star and Texas Knight?”
Laughing, I pick up a hairbrush and hand it to her over my shoulder.
She takes it and slowly drags it through my hair. “I’ve missed this over the years, haven’t I?”
It would’ve been nice. Dad picked up the slack on that one, too. It’s probably why I don’t bother much with it. He’s a brush-it-or-tie-it-up kind of man. There is no in between, no fancy updos.
She effortlessly curls my hair so fast that her arms look like she’s doing the Macarena. It’s stylishly messy and looks so good that I can’t believe it’s my hair. Some of it is up, and a few strands hang down, making it look like it’s just been thrown together. It’s the hair I hate on when I see it in a magazine because I could never get it to look right.
“Turn around, please,” she says. She kneels in front of me. Twisting the mascara brush, she gently slicks some on my lashes. “Just a little lipstick, and you’ll be done. I envy your looks, Texas. You always look so flawless.”
I choke on the irony. “You’ve been voted Sexiest Woman of the Year twice, and you envy me for looking like I never try?” Is she for real?
Jennifer never has a hair out of place. Everything about her is symmetrical and painfully perfect.
“My looks take work, Texas. You’re ready.”
She stands up and smiles. I dip my head. We’ve turned into mother and daughter.
How the hell did that happen? The normalcy of it almost makes me feel uncomfortable.
“Yep, let’s go.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
“I’ll get my shoes on. You deal with that,” she says, nodding to my phone.
Heading to Vegas. Wish you were here.
Short and sweet. In the beginning, I’d get essays from him and reply with a full-length book. Now, we boil everything down to the least amount of characters we can get away with as we update each other on our single lives.
Heading to Jennifer’s shoot. Hopefully speak later.
Tears spark behind my eyes. I don’t remember the last time we said, I love you.
“Texas, we need to leave, darling!” Jennifer shouts from downstairs.
Wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand, I’m grateful that Jennifer didn’t try to put foundation on my face and that she used waterproof mascara.
The driver takes us into Chelsea where Jennifer’s shoot is. Houses around here are disgustingly expensive for the amount of space you get, but it’s one of the places to be.
Ted is invading my personal space as we walk into the studio. “This will be interesting,” he mutters.
“You’ll love it, Teddy.”
He gives me a look. “Just behave yourself today. I’m tired, so don’t give me a lot to do.”
“Oh, yeah? Good night, was it?”
“You’re not cute. Go watch the modelling thing. I’ll be here if you need me.” He stops at the door and leans against the wall.
This really isn’t his thing at all.
“Texas, this is Derek Woods,” Jennifer says.
I know Derek. He’s worked with Dad and Enigma a couple of times. He’s one of the most sought after photographers in the UK, so of course, Jennifer’s shoot is with him.
“Texas, last time I saw you was…oh, a good five years ago. You’re beautiful, darling,” he says. He air-kisses both cheeks.
I awkwardly make a kissing sound and smile. “Yeah, it was a while.”
Okay, I can’t do small talk.
“So, Jen-Jen, can we have you sitting front-to-back on the chair over there? Clara will come and get your top once it’s off.”
“This is a topless shoot?” I ask, my eyes widening in pure horror. Why would she bring me to this one?
In the corner, Ted chuckles.
“Nothing will be on show,” Jennifer says, putting her hand on my arm in comfort. “All that will be visible is my back.”
I laugh nervously. “Okay.”