She flinched at the sound the blades rubbing together made. “I’m suddenly not so sure about this.”
Nathan leaned down until they were at face level in the mirror together. “You’re in good hands, I promise. If only we had time I would have brought you to my sister’s stylist. Reynaldo is simply the best. But since we’re pressed for time, I’ll have to do.”
She swallowed and nodded before closing her eyes.
Five inches of hair later, she stared at her reflection as if she were looking at a different person. Nate had given her a messy bob that floated just above her shoulders. Her hair actually framed her face instead of just hanging lifeless around her head. “Wow!”
“Oh, honey, you haven’t seen anything yet.” He handed her a wet wipe he had tugged out of a plastic container. “Clean off that ridiculous caked-on makeup. Your face is not a wall that needs plastering. Then pay attention. What I will teach you will last you from day to night for the rest of the summer. Maybe even for the rest of your life.”
She nodded dumbly. No one had ever taken the time to teach her anything about primping. She learned by copying the girls at school. If Nathan could make her hair look awesome by chopping off the length, then surely he could transform her face just the same.
In minutes, like watching a fast-forwarded video tutorial, he did indeed transform her face. He applied foundation with a deft touch. He curled her eyelashes and swiped on mascara like a magician waving a wand. He used eye shadow and blush brushes the way she did paintbrushes. One after the other, Nathan applied makeup without any hesitation in his movements.
They had already passed the half-hour mark Caleb had set for her make over when Nate led her into a huge closet found at the far side of the bedroom. Her eyes practically popped out of her skull when she took in the entire space.
“You have your own mall?” She stepped in without touching anything. All the racks were color-coordinated and organized. Skirts on one bar, dresses on another. Blouses on the upper level while pants were directly below. There were even special places for sweaters, coats, and shoes. Oh, the shoes. The soft lighting made everything sparkle.
“No,” Nate said in response to her question. He moved toward the summer dresses and sifted through what looked like fifty of them. “But I think Natasha’s closet comes close.”
She shrank into herself. “Won’t she mind me borrowing one of her dresses?”
Nate gave her a look over his shoulder. “Please. At the rate she’s going, she won’t even notice one missing. Plus, she’s currently on vacation, so she’s not here to complain. Not that she ever would.”
“Is she younger or older?”
He sighed. “Older by two minutes and lording it over me ever since.”
“Twins?” She raised her gaze to meet his. Caleb’s were a shade darker, but from the way Nate looked at her so seriously in that moment, there was no doubt they were related. “She must be so pretty.”
“The prettiest.” He turned back around to face the dresses and pulled out a lemon-yellow halter that flared below the waist.
For the longest minute all she could do was stare. It was straight out of the pages of the magazines her mother brought home. She always told Didi that, even if they couldn’t afford any of the stuff featured, they could still dream. It was poring over pages and pages of fashion magazines that helped her understand just what kind of dress Nate was lending her. Then she stepped forward and took the skirt of the garment in her hands. The fabric was soft; it had weight to it without sacrificing movement. With her height, the length would come just below the knee.
“So this is what fabric made of money looks like,” she said in awe.
Nathan laughed. It was a clear and honest sound. “Caleb was right. He has his hands full with you.”
“And that’s a bad thing?” she asked.
With sincerity that mimicked hers—at least that was what she would have liked to believe—he shook his head. “I think he’ll enjoy the challenge. We may have just met, but I’m on your side, honey.”
“I think I knew that the moment you chopped off my hair.”
His toothy grin returned. “If I didn’t enjoy pecs more than breasts, I honestly would give Caleb a run for his money.”
“You’re gay?” she teased, giving him a mock eyebrow lift that he mirrored.
“What gave it away?” He brought the dress to his chin and twirled around with it.
She laughed a full belly laugh. “Do you think that will fit me?”
He winked at her. “Oh, honey, nothing a stick of butter and a roll of plastic wrap can’t fix.”
Ten