Page 100 of Pretty ’n Peak

Jamie: Yes!

Jamie: Now order something tasty for dinner.

Jamie: And text me as soon as you get home.

Putting on makeup, Mateo discovered, was difficult.

His painter’s hands knew all about blending colors and holding a brush steady. But each time he got the stiff little brush near his eye, he blinked and ruined everything.

But Jamie was with him, cheering him on. They’d both opened a bottle of wine, and it had to be one of the most exhilarating nights of his life.

When he’d finally wiped off and reapplied everything to his left eye the fourth time, Jamie told him to stop. “No, leave it! It’s good!”

“There’s a weird speck there at the end.”

“Nope. You’re gorgeous. Selfie time!”

Oh, God. He couldn’t have that on his phone could he? What if somebody saw?

But maybe just for a moment?

He snapped a picture because… Fuck.

He’d been too preoccupied with the details to get the full effect, but now that he looked… There were just no words for it.

He was still himself, but smoothed and curved, his cheeks gently blushing and his skin radiant. Like he was glowing from within.

He blinked and two dark soulful eyes with fluttering lashes blinked coyly back at him.

Jamie had been right about the decision to neatly shape his beard instead of shaving it all off, and the dark patch below his pouty, pink lips felt like one more adornment in his beauty.

He felt like he was in love.

With himself.

Which was a stupid thing to say, but this was him. How he’d always imagined himself. Delicate and seductive and…

He felt a tear slide down his cheek.

Dammit.

“Oh, babe. Don’t wipe it with your hand. Just dab with a tissue. I’m here for you.”

That was his second time crying. Or maybe his third, if he counted that time in the bathroom.

How many times would he have to cry over this?

Following instructions, he grabbed a tissue and patted his face.

“That’s right, you beautiful boy. Cry a thousand times if you need to. Because this is the good stuff, and it’s not going to smudge.”

He laughed, a choking sound through his tears.

It was completely different when Jamie called him beautiful boy instead of Austin, but it was healing, too.

“That’s right,” Jamie soothed. “This is practically a rite of passage. In fact, take a picture. You could practically be a model with those crystal tears in your lashes. Yeah, get it quick before your eyes get all red.”

Mateo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry now, but he obediently snapped another selfie.