“A strong breeze and everybody will know my waxing preferences,” I said.
“Don’t worry, doll, we have tape for that. We just want to give the illusion that flashing might occur at any moment,” the stylist said.
Emma was dressed and ready, sipping a cocktail, as she watched the stylist add a few finishing touches to my makeup. She looked otherworldly in a silver sparkling gown that seemed to be held together by only a few strands of Swarovski crystals. With her red waves cascading perfectly around her shoulders and her intense blue eyes, she reminded me of an ethereal elf from Tolkien. Really, how could any human be so gorgeous?
“Can you please tone it down or I won’t be able to go out with you,” I said, only half kidding.
“I can’t turn it off. It’s who I am,” Emma teased. “Plus, this is how I get investors.”
“I bet you could get anything with that body. Like, I know how sexist that sounds to my ears, but I still believe it’s true.”
“Not anything,” she said quietly. She pushed off the wall and came to look me up and down before I could investigate that oddly cryptic last statement. “You have no idea how amazing your bottom is.”
I flushed. “I really didnotexpect you to say that.” I fought to keep my arms at my side and not cover my booty.
“It’s true. I know many a people who have paid for an ass like this,” the stylist said.
“I—” I literally had no idea what to say. “I always say that god over poured the mold downstairs and made up for it by taking some from up here.” I gestured to my chest.
“No. You’re fabulous.” The stylists stood up and dusted off their pants. “This high empire waist makes you look tiny. And again, that booty. Very on trend. Congratulations.”
“Uh, thank you.” I glanced at my phone. It was well after ten. “Oh, we’re late.”
Emma waved me away. “They know I meant later. It’s fine.”
Once we were properly accessorized, the others cleared out, leaving Emma and me alone.
I glanced at her to find she was watching me like she was preparing to deliver a lecture. “Are you going to threaten to shoot me if I hurt Charlie?”
She gasped. “Darling, how gauche. Only Americans threaten with guns.”
I shrugged. “Fair.”
But Emma cleared her throat and toyed with the hem of her skirt. “All I was going to say is that I’m glad that Charlie has someone to talk to. I worry about him out there all alone. And it seems like he’s opened up to you quite a bit. That doesn’t come easily for him.”
My shoulders relaxed. “Yeah. It took me two years to get his real name.”
Emma laughed but said, “You know, we’ve all been burned and none of us are quick to trust at this point. You must be a pretty good egg for him to do what he did today. I still can’t believe it.” She shook her head.
“Me neither.”
“Fan fiction, huh? How long do you think Harrison and I have to wait before we can take the piss out of him?”
I contemplated. “Probably give it a week at least.” We made our way to the door, but I hesitated. “I didn’t mean for that to happen today. I wanted to wait until he was ready. I know you three have a lot of trauma from that show. I wasn’t trying to rush him.”
Emma’s smile faltered. “Trauma. No.” She shook her head adamantly. “Nothing … nothing violent or anything like that ever happened when we were kids. We had many adults protecting us.”
I shook my head. “No. No. I just mean … There are different levels to trauma, you know? I’m not trying to use the term lightly but you three were thrust into something massive at a young age. I’m glad you were physically safe, but I can’t imagine there was much in the way of protection against the non-physical effects. Fame has got to mess with anybody’s head. And growing up on camera? It’s hard enough, you know? I mean, I would imagine so.”
I stopped rambling when I realized Emma’s face had fallen.
“I’m sorry. I overstepped.”
She shook her head to clear it. “I just never really thought about it like that. I’ve always just thought I should be grateful.”
“I think you can be both. Grateful but maybe still recognize that it wasn’t normal.”
Emma watched me closely before she shook her head again. “I’m sorry. There’s just nothing to be done for it. I have to hug you. I absolutely get it now.”
