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Well, probably.
She frowned and shook her head. “Dad would know me if I had a bedsheet over my head. There’s no way I can fool him.”
“You don’t have to,” Brent replied. “I’ve been thinking about this a long time. I want to show you off as best as I can, while still respecting your wishes. Allen will be in New York scouting locations, and we’ll be three thousand miles away. You’ll be the mystery girl on my arm, and once the makeup queen is done with you, no one will know who you are.”
Jessica’s heart fluttered. It was like Cinderella, like a chance to finally be with him and let people see where her heart lay. Her hand fell unbidden to her stomach, and she cupped her belly, as if trying to get even closer to her children. Their children. If everything blew up, then it could blow up on Saturday. She was going to tell him on the long weekend after the ball. Maybe he’d be happy; she just couldn’t be sure. Maybe she was presuming too much to think he’d ever be able to get over his late wife and her tragic loss.
Maybe a million things.
But she could have Friday, and if that – the necklace and her twins – were all she ever had left of Brent, then she’d have to make it last a lifetime’s worth.
Smiling up at him, Jessica nodded. “I’d love to.”
Brent kissed her, his tongue teasing her with everything they’d have this Friday and, of course, with everything she might never have again after that.
Chapter Fourteen
Jessica
“This is so cool!” Ashley said as Rafaella from the production studio worked her magic on Jessica’s hair. “I mean, this is like a clandestine date, a secret love affair, and a ball everyone who’s anyone in San Diego and all the way from Hollywood will be at. I need to get a life STAT, but living through you has its perks.”
Jessica laughed as Rafaella worked at pulling her real hair back under a bald cap. It would make it far easier to place the dark, raven black wig over her head. She’d also be doing up her eyes in a most dramatic fashion, so they were smoky even underneath the mask and complimented by bright emerald contacts lenses. It was a disguise on top of a disguise to make sure no one would dare know who she was.
It would be a perfect night.
That one last chance before reality could shatter everything. At least she hoped so.
Dana sat close to Rafaella and watched her technique setting out all her makeup brushes and tools of the trade. It was a different medium than still life and oils, but her other friend loved to learn about art and to observe any master of their craft. She only diverted her attention to Ashley for just a moment.
“You know,” Dana said, “you can bring the enthusiasm down a notch. Don’t want to overwhelm her.”
“It’s magical though!” Ashley said. “I’d have daydreamed of something like this my whole life.”
“I never exactly did,” Jessica said. “It’s really cool, but I think I imagined this night with less, well, passengers along for the ride.” She didn’t say more in front of Rafaella, but the girls knew what she meant.
“Are you going to say anything tonight?” Dana said. “Let him know everything that’s on your mind.”
She sighed as the cap for her hair was placed over her natural look. The wig was slid down next, and it was a trip to see her hair go from brown to dark black like a vampiric vixen or something. It was so not her. She couldn’t wait for the effect of the contacts and mask either. Besides, there was something about the new, even darker look for her hair that brought out the golden dolphin nestled on her chest. The gold twinkled brighter, and the diamonds shone bolder.
Good.
It was also such a symbol of Brent’s affection that she couldn’t resist wearing it with everything else.
“I actually am going to let it be that great night, you know? No need to talk about future plans right now,” she admitted. Jessica smiled wider. “Besides, Ashley is right. It’s a magical evening; I can feel it.”
Dana smiled and nodded. “I think so, too.”
***
The Westin downtown was huge and overlooked the harbor. She peered nervously out of the window of the Rolls that had been sent for her. Brent was busy all day coordinating last-minute preparations with his father and staff, but he’d made sure from Rafaella caring for her to the usual limo ride, that she was as pampered and cared for as she could be until they met again at the venue. Taking a deep breath, she made sure the harlequin mask was attached tightly to her face and slid out of the limo.
The flashes of the light bulbs almost blinded her as she started on the red carpet. With this much of the Hollywood fancy set and the cream of San Diego society there, the event was teeming with paparazzi. She’d been to carpets before to cheer her dad on, but no one had ever taken pictures of her. She’d always stood off to the side and watched. Now a million photos were being taken of her, and she both felt dazed and a bit lightheaded. One reporter from the local station put a microphone near her lips.
