Chapter 06
Valerie and her sister come in every morning after that for a week. Each time, we talk more and more, learning about each other. I sit with them when it’s slow. Crystal tells me stories about Valerie when they were young, and Valerie tells me stories about them on the road, travelling all over the world for Crystal’s tours.
I look forward to seeing Valerie every morning when I get up for work, holding my breath until she and her sister walk in. Sometimes people recognize Crystal, but mostly they’re left to eat in peace.
On the eighth morning, Valerie slides an envelope across the table to me.
“What’s this?“
I pick up the envelope, noting it’s heavier than I thought it would be.
“Just a little gift. It’s long overdue,“
Valerie replies, shrugging her shoulders, but there’s a tightness to them like she’s nervous.
I open the envelope and keys spill out onto the table.
“Valerie,“
I breathe. “What is this?”
“You need a new car. Paul found a great deal on something much more reliable than your old one.”
I turn my gaze from the keys to her face and take in the eagerness in her eyes. “You can’t give me a car.”
“I didn’t. Paul did,“
she says smugly.
“I don’t even know Paul! That’s a worse argument,“
I reply. My mouth opens and closes a few times, unable to come up with anything to say. This is insane.
“Okay, fine. It’s from me. But you need a new car and I have the ability to give you one.“
Valerie’s smile is soft and sweet and I want to kiss her so badly, but geez this is too much.
“You can’t give me a car,“
I say again.
“What if it’s a work car?“
Crystal says, a knowing smile on her face that has me confused.
“I don’t need a work car. I live a few minutes away. Besides, wouldn’t it have to come from my boss in that case?“
My mind is reeling. I’ve never been so thrown off.
“What if it did come from your boss?“
Crystal replies, that smug smile still in place.
“Crystal, I mean this with the absolute most respect, but what the actual fuck?”
She laughs hard at my outburst, then pats the chair beside her. “Sit. Please.”
I scan the restaurant but it’s not busy. Kira catches my eye and points toward the chair. Does she know what’s happening? I frown and sit.
“Your makeup, as always, is flawless,“
Crystal begins.
“Umm, thanks? It’s simple today, just a smokey eye.“
I thought we were talking about a car but now Crystal’s complimenting my eyeshadow?
“I’m about to go on tour again,“
Crystal explains, and it absolutely does not explain anything.
“Congratulations.“
I look at Valerie, who’s still looking at me sweetly. I glance over my shoulder at Kira but she motions with her finger for me to turn back around.
“My makeup artist has been saying lately that she would love an apprentice to train. And I think that should be you.“
Crystal points at me and I stare at her.
“Me? Is this a joke?“
I begin to laugh like it is. It has to be.
“No, Ella,“
Valerie says. “You’re talented and have amazing style. You mentioned when you were over that you’ve always loved doing makeup and once dreamed of working as a makeup artist or stylist.”
“Yeah, when I was younger,“
I splutter.
Valerie shrugs. “Dreams don’t have to end because you get older. You don’t have to say yes, but please say you’ll think about it.”
I lick my lips and take a big breath. “What if I’m really bad at it?“
I say in a voice that’s only slightly above a whisper.
“What if you’re great at it?“
Valerie counters.
“Give it some thought,“
Crystal says. “If you’re interested at all, I’ll introduce you to Toni. Meet her, ask questions, see if this would be a good fit for you. I can tell that you have talent and an eye for fashion, but that only matters if this is something you want to do. It’s up to you. Don’t say yes just because I’m asking.”
Never in my life have I been allowed to make decisions for myself like this. Growing up, I always had to do what my mother told me to. Then Ethan made decisions and plans for me. But Valerie and her sister are giving me an opportunity to make another choice. My choice.
Becoming a makeup artist used to be my dream. But my mother forced me to go to university to study business. Ethan forced me into a box to fit into his life. My dreams were tossed away, laughed at and forgotten.
But here, now, with Valerie? She’s encouraging me to take hold of my dreams and soar.
I smile. A real one, like I had during the photoshoot when I relaxed and pulled the real me out of the ashes my life had become.
“I’d love to meet with Toni.“
I swallow and close my eyes. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for saying yes,“
Crystal says softly. “I’m going to head back. Valerie, I assume I’ll see you later?”
“I’ll be home in a bit,“
she tells her sister, then looks at me. “Maybe a bit longer than a bit.”
I bite my lip. “I might steal her for the day.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.“
Crystal laughs. “I’ll be in touch and set up a meeting between you and Toni. Welcome to the team.”
I go to shake her hand but she pulls me in for a hug.
When Crystal leaves, Valerie and I chat for a while. About nothing. About everything. I tell her more about Ethan and moving here. She tells me about the logistics of planning a world tour.
“Shit! I need to get back to work.“
I scramble out of my chair, almost tipping it over.
“Relax,“
Kira says from behind me. “I already called in Matt. He’s been here for an hour.”
I whip my head over to the counter, where sure enough, Matt has come in hours early to cover for me while I sat with Valerie.
“Kira, thank you,“
I say, wrapping my arms around her. “I might be leaving, and I feel horrible about that. You gave me so much. How could I ever repay you?”
Kira shakes her head, her eyes watering. “You already have, honey. You being happy is all I need.“
She kisses my forehead. “You deserve to be happy.”
Kira shoos me out of the diner, telling me to enjoy the sunshine, so Valerie and I walk hand-in-hand aimlessly for an hour. Me in my dark jeans and black tank top, her in a pink dress that swishes and sways as we walk. She has flats on today, making it easy to tuck her body into mine.
“Wait a minute,“
I say, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk. “Why would I need a new car if we’re about to go on an international tour? A car here won’t help me in Europe.”
Valerie grins and kisses me on the cheek. “I just wanted to give you a new car. Your old one really was a piece of shit.”
I burst out laughing. “It really was. But it got me here. It got me to you.”
“I really like you, Ella. I’m glad you’re coming on tour. There’s just one problem though.”
I quirk a brow at her playful tone. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“It turns out that every hotel in every city we’re going to is entirely booked up. You’re going to have to share a room with me.”
I cup her cheek in my palm. “I think I can handle that. Turns out I really like you too. Thank you for seeing me and appreciating me.”
Valerie stands on her toes and kisses me. “Thank you for being you. You are a beautiful person, inside and out.”