Page 84 of Hot As Ice

ME

We won. Be home soon. But going straight to bed.

STEVIE

Ugh. Okay.

ME

Don’t flirt with anyone. I’ll find out if you do.

STEVIE

As if! I would never.

ME

Good girl

“Damn, that’s a big ass grin you got on your face, bro,” Martinez says, leaning over the back of his seat.

“Shut the fuck up, Martinez.”

“Nah, I love seeing my captain happy. Tell whoever she is to keep it up.”

I give him the finger, and he laughs and sits back down. I lean my head against the window. Beside me, Jamie has his earbuds in and his eyes closed. I don’t think I’ll fall asleep during the ride back home, but texting with Stevie made me feel better.

Before I know it, I’m totally conked out.

twenty-six

stevie

THE DAY OF Celeste and Hunter’s father’s big wedding celebration is finally here.

I had to get up early to get ready: hair, makeup, manicure, pedicure.

It’s very much how I imagine celebrities get their glam done before a big red carpet event. Hunter’s father paid for all of it. Even though I had to be so early, the entire experience is turning out to be pretty fun.

We’ve all been whisked into a large hotel suite and each of us has our own hair stylist, makeup artist, and nail artist. It’s a fun and jovial atmosphere as we all chat, laugh, eat (the hotel covered a long table with all sorts of breakfast items and coffee and champagne), and generally have a good time.

I’ve never had my makeup done professionally before, but my makeup artist chooses colors that complement my skin tone and my gown perfectly. I can’t stop staring at myself.

The hair stylist is arranging my hair in thick, flowing waves, and adds a sparkly gold barrette that matches the beading on my dress. Nails and toes are painted a glossy pink-ish beige hue.

I love it all, and I hope Hunter does too.

“This is my favorite part of any wedding event,” a woman named Dascha says. She’s Celeste’s oldest friend from childhood. Sipping on her champagne, she looks the most at ease with all the pampering going on.

“You and me both,” says Heidi. “Who do I have to kill to always have a glam squad at my beck and call?”

All the women snicker.

“You don’t have to kill anyone,” Victoria, Celeste’s cousin, puts in. “Just marry rich.”

My eyebrows shoot up at the bold statement. I glance at Celeste through the mirror – she’s getting glammed up at a station right behind mine. But she’s smiling, not seeming at all offended by the ‘marry rich’ comment.

“Hey,” Celeste says. “You’re not wrong.”