What my best friend did share was his thoughts about me backing down, to leave my dad’s death alone, and wanting me to believe what the rest of the world was told, that his death was an accident. I know Luca doesn’t believe this. It’s just his way of trying to keep me safe.
Luca taps his phone screen, chooses a hip-hop playlist, and then gets to work. Almost two hours later, he’s done. Thank fuck! I’m not one for being pampered. The prodding and poking—not my thing. But if I complained or fought Luca about it, he would have tortured me by making the process three hours.
He places his hand on the back of the chair. “When I turn you around and you see all of my glamorous and hard-as-hell work, you’re going to love it. If you hate it, bitch, you better lie straight to my face.”
I laugh. “I can’t imagine I’ll hate it. I just might not be as comfortable looking as glamorous as you want me to be.”
He puffs out a breath. “Don’t go there.” Luca covers his mouth as if haunted by a thought. His eyes widen to the size of beach balls. “Oh, Jesus on wheels! Please tell me you’re not riding that crotch rocket to the party.”
“Of course not. Eden is coming to pick me up. Now, can I please see your masterpiece?”
“Oh, thank fuck for small gifts.” He lets out a relieved sigh. “Okay, here we go, the reveal. Ready?”
“Yes!” He turns the desk chair to face the mirror. My breath hitches. “Luca, I look… I look… Holy hell. Amazing. I mean, I’m not trying to get all cocky and brag on myself, but damn. I’m bragging on you. Look what you did.”
He tosses his head to the side and fans his face in all his glory. “I know, I’m a goddess. But I have to give you credit, too. You give me a beautiful canvas to start with.”
The intricate lines of the lace mask look so real. My blue eyes are brighter than usual with the ombre of royal to light blue colors. My hair is in a sophisticated, loose bun with long tendrils curling on either side of my face. I have no words. The girl in the mirror looks so refined and sophisticated. I pucker my pale pink lips. I can’t stop staring at myself.
“There’s only one rule,” he says, holding up a poised finger.
“Do I have to be home by midnight?”
“Girl, as hot as I made you, you better not come home at all.”
I most definitely have intentions of coming home... alone. “Then what’s the rule?”
“Do not touch your face. I put a finishing spray on it to help it stay in place, but don’t rub your eyes, itch your cheek, or let those hot lips of Mr. Edge trail across the mask in any way. He must know he has boundaries. Stay to the areas of lips, neck, breasts…” He gives a dismissive wave. “You know the places.”
“If you could see my face, I’m turning red.”
“Yeah, right. The last time you blushed in front of me was with anger when I kicked your ass and made you tap out.” He gives me a knowing look. “Listen, I know you can’t stop staring at your stunning self, but let’s get the dress and heels on. Then you can admire the entire costume.”
Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rings. I open it to find Eden in jeans and a sweatshirt. I give myself another quick once-over. “Shit! I am waaay overdressed.”
She doesn’t speak, then stammers, “No—no. You look amazing.”
Luca steps up behind me. “That would be all me.”
I look over my shoulder and smile. “Eden, this is Luca. Luca, Eden.”
“Kins has told me all about you and your bestie. It’s nice to finally meet you,” he says, extending his hand.
She shakes it. “Thanks. You, too.”
“Can we be any more formal?” I roll my eyes.
“Please forgive her. She isn’t the most polite creature,” Luca says. “Especially when she’s all dolled up.”
“Ready to go?” I ask Eden.
“What are you?” Luca taps his lip, checking Eden out. “Wait—let me guess. An angry college student on the verge of rebelling against uniforms.”
She laughs. “My costume is in the car. Bryce and I are going as an avocado. Each of us is a half. I’m the one with the pit.”
“Very clever,” Luca says.
I kiss him on the cheek. “Will you be here when I get home?”
