AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I brought a kit, or we could just do without,” Natalie said. So that’s what that extra bag she wouldn’t let me look in had in it.
“Ugh. I guess.” I knew she was right. Literally everything I’d read about building a business was all about making connections, and one of the best ways to do that was by showing myself.
“When you start working at Gray’s place, I can come and take some action shots and time-lapse videos. People love that shit,” Natalie said.
Natalie busted out the makeup and I told her not to go too heavy. I didn’t want to look too different than I did every day.
“Lashes?” she asked, holding up a little box.
“Why not?” I said. I’d worn them before and had always liked the look. I just didn’t have the skill to put them on myself or the inclination to practice.
Natalie did a quick and casual look on me and held up a mirror so I could see the results.
“Perfect,” I said. I looked just a little fresher and softer. Very nice.
She brushed out my hair and then had me pose in the little nook next to my lamp, and then pretending to hang the wreath on the door, and even holding up some shells.
“I’m not a hand model,” I told her, when she scattered some shells on the kitchen island countertop and wanted me to pretend I was picking them up.
“You are now,” she said, leaning in to get the right angle.
The whole process took so much longer than I thought it would.
I was absolutely starving, but I didn’t feel comfortable going into Piper’s fridge.
She came out of the office as we were starting to pack things up. “Sorry to interrupt, but someone is up from his nap. I can keep him upstairs,” Piper said.
“No, we’re done. Bring him down. I want to smush his cheeks,” Natalie said, setting down the camera.
Piper laughed. “I’ll be right back.”
Natalie pulled the fridge open and pulled a few things out.
“He always wants a snack after his nap,” she said, setting down a yogurt, an applesauce packet, and pulling out a box of puffed snacks.
“Same,” I said.
“Are you hungry?” she asked. “I can make you a sandwich real quick.”
“No, I’m fine,” I said.
Natalie started pulling more things out of the fridge anyway.
“Well, I’m going to have one, so I’ll make extra, just in case,” she said.
Natalie assembled two ham and cheese sandwiches with mayo, lettuce, and tomato. For some reason, I didn’t think they’d have stuff like that in their fridge. I was expecting escargot or oysters or something. Not sandwich bread and mayo. To be fair, it was fancy organic mayo, but the sourdough bread was from Sweet’s.
“Look who’s here,” Piper said in a soft voice, bringing Preston into the kitchen. He had pillow marks on his face and his hair was all over the place. His face broke out in a huge smile when he saw Natalie.
“Hey, Lovebug,” Natalie said, waving to Preston. He leaned out of his mother’s arms to reach for Natalie.
“I see how it is. I’m not the favorite when Miss Natalie is around,” Piper said ruefully as she handed Preston to Natalie.
“You’re my best buddy, aren’t you?” Natalie said to him.
“Bubby,” he said.
“That’s right,” Natalie said, kissing his cheek. “Do you remember Emerald?”
