Chapter 28
TWENTY-EIGHT
D AKOTA
“Can you do my eyeshadow for me? The smokey look you always do?” Hazel rolls her bottom lip and gives me doe eyes. We’re all in her suite at the Avarice, getting ready to go down for dinner. I’ve planned the whole night. Dinner in the restaurant, drinks in the bar, some lap dancing lessons, and then some gambling to round out the evening. Grant was kind enough to give me a limitless tab to treat all the girls tonight as long as I promise not to raise too much hell.
“Of course,” I easily agree, and Hazel slides her eyeshadow palette and a case of brushes in my direction. Bristol and I have always been her go-to makeover team. In fact, she pretty much insisted that Bristol does her makeup tomorrow for the wedding, and we spent hours going over looks the last few weeks .
“Have you decided when you’re going on vacation yet?” Hazel glances over at Bristol before she lowers her lashes so I can apply the first sweep of shadow over her lids. Bristol and Anson took first place in the games at Hazel’s pre-wedding party and won the trip we’d all been chasing. But it means that she and her former brother-in-law are set to go to a romantic couples-only resort on an island.
“No. Not yet. Anson told me I could go alone if I want, but I feel guilty. He did so much to help us win.” She sighs as she applies a coat of mascara in the mirror. “Plus, it’s a couples resort. Will they even let me in without someone else?”
“I don’t think so,” Hazel mumbles, trying not to move, as I continue my work.
“Right, so see? I feel like he should go, but he’s been so cagey when I’ve tried to nail him down on a date.” She slips the wand back into the tube and turns her head from side to side, surveying her work.
“You know how he is,” Hazel adds. “If it’s not work or family, he doesn’t leave the house. Do you want me to talk to him?”
I sweep the brush back over the shadow palette, but I look over at Bristol to see her deep in thought for a moment before she shakes her head.
“No. I don’t want him to feel pressured. Plus, I have no idea who will watch Ford while we’re gone. He’d drive Mama crazy if she didn’t have help, and I can’t do that to her. Not for a whole week,” Bristol laments.
Ford is Anson and Bristol’s sister’s son. When her sister died, Anson became a shell of his former self, and Bristol stepped in to support him. She’s helped raise Ford since he was little, but that, combined with taking care of her own business and her mother, has left her with very little time for fun. They both need a vacation .
“Depending on the timing, we could take him for a few days,” Hazel volunteers. “He could come stay on the ranch. Spend some time fishing and hiking. Ramsey and Bo would probably take him camping if he wants.”
“I could take him for a few days too!” Marlowe chimes in. “Does he have any interest in learning to make French pastries?”
“I mean, the way that boy is eating, he needs to learn to cook for himself, period. I’m not ready for a full-fledged teenage boy. He’s going to be so much damn trouble, and I don’t think Anson knows what’s about to hit him,” Bristol says as I finish up the smokey shadow on Hazel’s left eye. We all burst into laughter because while Anson is private and reserved, his son is anything but. That combined with his dad’s looks means Anson can pretty much kiss his peace and quiet goodbye until Ford heads to college.
“All right. Look in the mirror and see if you like that before I add the eyeliner for you. You should do the mascara yourself.” I give Hazel a hand mirror.
“Or I’ve got lashes and glue if you want.” Marlowe waves a pack of them in the air.
“Lashes, please,” Hazel answers as she blinks and lowers her eyes to look at my work. “I wish I had half your talent.” She grins up at me.
“Glad you like it.” I return the smile and pull the eyeliner out. I draw a thick line along her upper lashes while she waits patiently. “By the way, I put hangover kits in everyone’s room. Water. Headache medicine. Drinks with electrolytes. Make sure you use them before bed!”
“Yes, Mom,” Marlowe teases me.
“I had one sent to Ramsey’s room for you, too, just in case,” I muse as I finish Hazel’s other eye.
“I won’t be in Ramsey’s room. He can survive one more night.” Hazel’s determined to make him sleep alone the night before the wedding.
“You’re torturing that poor man.” Marlowe shakes her head but then grins. “I love it.”
“He’s going to tear that gorgeous dress to shreds,” I warn her.
“I know. That’s why I’m switching to the shorter one at the reception.” Hazel taps her temple as I step away.
“Smart.” Bristol nods at our friend’s forethought. “I love that dress too much to see it in pieces. It needs to be framed.”
“I love yours.” Hazel touches the edge of Bristol’s hemline. “All of yours really. We need to get pictures tonight!”
“We also need to get pregaming.” Marlowe pulls out a flask. “We have questionable decisions to make, ladies.”
“Big plans?” I raise a brow at her.
“I need to break this little dry spell I’ve been on.” Marlowe downs a shot’s worth of alcohol and passes it on while she grimaces from the burn.
“I’m supportive of this.” Hazel takes one, hands the flask to me, and then turns to Marlowe for help with her lashes.
“I think we could all use the end of a dry spell tonight.” I down a shot and hand the rest to Bristol.
“You didn’t take that insanely hot man to bed?” Bristol raises a brow at me over Hayden.
“He’s too much trouble for me.” I hedge my bets. Hazel has backed off the idea since the wedding game night, but we haven’t exactly discussed me crushing her hopes and dreams yet.
“Isn’t that the point?” she asks.
“She likes more trouble than that,” Marlowe mumbles as she works on Hazel’s lashes, glancing at me with a mischievous look dancing behind her eyes .
“Wait… what does she know that we don’t?” Bristol’s still grimacing as she slides the flask back to Hazel.
“There’s nothing to know.” I shake my head, lying through my teeth. I plan to tell my girls everything after this weekend because I’m in way too deep with the devil, and I need perspective. He can stay anonymous, but I’m desperate for advice.
I want this evening and tomorrow to be about Hazel. After that, it’ll be time to figure out what the hell the two of us are doing and if there’s a future beyond sexting. Tonight, though, I at least plan to finally get the man in bed.