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“Sure. What do you have in mind?”
“Makeup,” she gestures to her face. “Yours is flawless, by the way.”
“Thank you, Gina.”
We enter her room and head for the walk-in closet that is set up like a beauty salon. I see a slinky black dress showcased like a piece of art. It’s gorgeous but unwearable for anyone over a size two.
Catching my look, Gina chuckles from her vanity seat. “Oh, that old thing? It’s my muse. I’m on a mission to fit into it again—just need to downsize a little here,” she motions to her breasts.
I eye her full D cups. “I wouldn’t touch those. Heck I might even kill for them.”
“No, you wouldn’t. You’re the poster girl for ‘petite and chic’. Besides, your ass is giving the Kardashians a run for their money.”
I cast a glance over my shoulder at the mirror, mirth bubbling up inside me. “You think this is something? You should see Brooke. She’s got the monopoly on curves.” Then, realizing what I just said, I let out a small gasp “Oopsie.”
Gina feigns a wounded heart. “Yeah, go on, twist the knife, why don’t you? Remind me how sexy Xavier’s wife is.”
I chortle “Gina, that was ages ago!”
She waves it off, but not without a dramatic eye roll. “Yes, but I was desperate to be friends with her. I opened my big mouth and told her that, at fourteen, I jumped into bed and wrapped myself around her nearly unconscious husband.”
“Ouch.” I wince. My ears bleed just to hear it.
“Precisely. And at the Bennett’s dinner table no less. I’m sure they regretted inviting me.”
Knowing Gina, they probably didn’t invite her. Most likely she twisted Ryan’s arm to take her along so she could meet Brooke.
“Real smooth Gina,” I tease, “that story makes for such a lovely taboo sisterly bond, don’t you think? No wonder Brooke adores you.”
She narrows her eyes at me in a mock glare. “I think another free makeover just got added to your tab, just for that dig.”
“I completely agree, if purely on compassionate grounds. For fuck’s sake, Gina you crammed that sweaty foot so far inside your mouth I bet you can probably still taste it.”
“Actually, you’re right. I still fucking can,” she deadpans, and we both dissolve into laughter.
“At least I didn’t send you running in the other direction Stella. I’ve always wanted a sister, you know. What was yours like?” Her curiosity is kind, but it tugs at old wounds.
“Er...” I pause, letting memories of Viv filter through the good before the bad.
She backpedals with a wince when she sees my hesitation. “Oh, listen to me pry. It must be painful. Sorry.”
“Um... actually, it’s okay.”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh.” I grab the powder brush on the counter but find its bristles as stiff as straw. “Do you mind if I use my own?”
“Oh, yeah, go ahead, do what you want with me,” she says, eyeing my own face with envy.
I turn the swivel chair away from the mirror. As I deftly apply her makeup, I share light-hearted chapters about Vivian while she tells me hilarious stories about growing up with Ryan and Xavier.
We’re still laughing when out of the blue, she hits me with, “Do you love him? I know you guys were casually dating before he told you about the marriage clause, but do you see yourself loving him?”
I hedge, not quite ready for this level of interrogation. “Well, marrying him wasn’t on my bingo card for this year to be sure, but I dropped everything to do it so...” I let that hang in the air.
“I ask because Ryan is in love with you, Stella,” she states.
My heart thuds painfully. Impossible. “Um. I know he’s very fond of–,” I try to lie but I can’t even get it past the lump in my throat.
