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I rubbed my lips together. The gloss was smooth without being waxy. It coated without being too thick.
Turning, I placed a hand on her shoulder. “I love it. She will too when she’s old enough to wear it.”
Baker started, the makeup brush she was holding suspended above the compact. “I’m not much of a planner,” she said softly.
“You’ll have your line in stores all over the world by then,” I said confidently.
“I meant I hadn’t really thought about us being friends when Ella can wear makeup.” She dabbed the brush into eye shadow. “I want to be, but . . .”
“You and I take things one day at a time,” I finished for her.
“Yeah.”
She was quiet while she experimented on me with her new colors. I wasn’t sure if she was just concentrating on what she was doing or needed a minute to sort out whatever was going on in her head.
“Hey, did you ever talk to Mrs. Quinn or Vivian about catering the fundraiser?” Baker asked, back to her normal self. I averted my gaze downward. “Trish,” she said before stalking out of the bathroom. She returned with my phone.
I looked at it like I’d never seen one before and had no idea what to do with it. “I didn’t hear it ring.”
“Call Vivian.”
“It’s too late.”
She shoved the phone in my hand. “It’s barely after eight.”
“What if she’s busy?”
“Then she’ll tell you a better time to call back,” Baker supplied, and I let out a little growl.
She had an answer for all my objections.
“I don’t want her to say no, but I don’t want her to say yes because she feels sorry for me, either,” I admitted.
Baker’s eyes softened. “Just take a chance.”
I found Vivian’s contact information in my phone and dialed. As it rang, my nerves spiked. I was just about to give up when a harried sounding Vivian answered.
“Hi, Vivian. It’s Trish,” I said brightly, though my voice shook with nerves.
“I know it’s you, silly. How’s Ella? And when do I get to babysit?”
I relaxed, the tangle of tension inside me loosening. “Whenever you and Muriella are free.”
“I see how it is. You don’t trust me on my own with your child.” Crud.Had I offended her?“You’re a smart woman.” She laughed, and I echoed the sentiment.
“I trust you. But babies can be scary, especially when they start screaming.” I glanced out of the bathroom door over at Ella’s sleeping figure. “Not thatmydaughter would ever do that.”
“She’s got stuff to say. Nothing wrong with that,” Vivian reasoned. “Now what can I do for you?”
“Um . . ." I cleared my throat as nerves threatened to overtake me. Baker took my hand. “The fundraiser in a few weeks,” I started, wishing that I’d practiced this conversation first with Baker.
“Please don’t mention it. I’m so far behind on everything. I decided to take on more responsibility with it this year, and it’s a disaster. Thank God we have a venue booked or I’d be up the creek without a paddle.” Stress was laced through her words, and I felt for her.
“Do you have a caterer yet?” I blurted, gripping Baker’s hand so tightly, she made a noise to get me to loosen up.
“That’s the one thing I have gotten done.”
I sagged in disappointment. “Oh. Is there anything I can help you with?”
