“This lip color you’re wearing tonight.Is it another one of mine?”he asked.
Claire exhaled, banishing all thoughts of Liz and Calvin from her mind.“I’m a little embarrassed to say that it isn’t.It’s just an old tube of L'Oréal—one I’ve worn for years—until they discontinued the color.This is the last tube in existence, as far as I know.I’ve searched the far reaches of the internet with no luck.”
“You women really get hooked on certain lip colors, don’t you?’
“It never fails.As soon as I fall in love with something, it disappears.”
“So, funny story.That’s actually the whole reason I started my business.My mother’s favorite shade of Clinique lipstick got discontinued.She was furious and hit every makeup counter in a three-state region buying as many tubes as she could find.One day, I caught her digging the last bit out with a Q-tip, cursing with every stroke.”
“You started Silver Screen to make your mom her favorite lipstick?”
“It was more a challenge for myself than anything,” he said.“I told her I could make any color lipstick she wanted and it just sort of went from there.”
“What was the original color?”Claire asked.
“It was called Blush Violet.”
“And you created an exact replica?”
“It’s about a ninety-nine percent match and named after the woman who inspired me—All About Eve.My father begged me to call itOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.He thought we’d lost our minds.”
Jay settled up with the server while Claire took a detour into the ladies’ room.The night was closing too fast.She washed her hands and studied her face, noting two things.The dress had been a wise choice, and nothing could mask the shine of wine on her cheeks.
Jay stood waiting at the door.They walked down the street arm in arm, stopping from time to time to peer into the darkened store fronts in the quiet shopping district.Several empty cabs rolled by, but he made no attempt to wave one down.When a poster in a store window caught her eye, she stopped and released his arm.
"There she is again.”She pointed to the image.“Our man in Negril was good, but there’s a real pianist."
"One of the greatest ever," Jay agreed.
"She’s performing here next week."
“Have you ever seen her perform live?”
“No.Have you?”Claire asked.
“Many times,” Jay said.“Even met her.”
“You’ve met Nancy Chen?”Claire’s eyes widened.
“On several occasions.”
“Let me guess… you made a lipstick just for her?”
“I did.”He poked her in the rib.“It’s calledThe Sound of Music.”
“You really should stop while you’re ahead,” she said with a flirty grin.“Because I don’t believe a word you’re saying.”
“If you keep smiling at me like that, I might create a lipstick just for you.”
He closed the gap between their bodies and wrapped his arms around her waist.His eyes reflected city lights, wine, and a desire for something more.
“And just what would you call this Claire Jordan-inspired creation?”She looked up at him, wondering if his heart beat as frantically as her own.
He pressed his lips against hers, creating an even greater rush than she’d expected.They stood locked for a full minute exploring each other’s mouths before he pulled away.
“Some Like It Hot,” he whispered with another smile.
Claire's mind and pulse raced simultaneously.She leaned into him for another taste of his lips, but he drew back and made an offer she couldn’t refuse.A chance to see the newest line of Silver Screen products back at his apartment.With nothing but green flags thus far, she agreed.
