The Do-Over (The Rooftop Crew #5) - Piper Rayne Page 0,38
me. “We’ll see about that.”
I blow out a breath and shake my head. I wouldn’t trade her for the world.
“Now let’s talk about Kamea coming with you tomorrow night.”
I turn the key in the ignition. “Let’s not.”
I don’t tell her, but I’ve already thought about it enough for both of us. Mostly what kind of dress she borrowed from Sierra and how I’ll hide my hard-on when I pick her up from Dylan and Rian’s tomorrow evening.
Chapter Seventeen
Kamea
This feels like a lot more makeup than I usually wear. Rian’s eyes widen when she looks at me.
“Let’s remember Kamea has a natural glow about her,” Rian says, and I give her my best thankful look.
“Yes. We’re just enhancing it,” Blanca says.
I can’t argue, since I haven’t seen my face. Blanca’s makeup is usually flawless and fits her perfectly. I’ve never been much of a makeup person though, other than eyeliner and mascara. But it is a special occasion.
“Not to mention, Knox will be showing her off,” Sierra adds, looking up from her magazine.
My gut twists. Show me off? I’m not the type of woman you show off. Hopefully I can get the cricket out of my throat long enough to actually speak to people.
“Make fish lips,” Blanca says, and Evan refills my wine glass.
“Oh no, I can’t have any more. As it is, I have to walk in those heels.” I eye the shoes Sierra brought over. I could do a lot of harm with those spiky heels—mostly to myself.
“You look nervous. This will help.” Blanca hands me the wine. “Before I put on the lipstick.”
“I love makeovers,” Sierra says, flipping through the magazine again.
Dylan walks into the apartment. His gaze falls over the wine, the makeup all over his kitchen table, and someone on each piece of furniture. He grunts and disappears into his bedroom.
“Yeah, I’ll be…” Rian stands.
“Dealing with crabby man? Yeah, we got ya.” Sierra shuts the magazine. “Kamea, do you think that maybe you and Knox might…”
“What?” Evan asks.
“Sleep together,” Sierra says as if it’s nothing.
I’m not made for this. Why did I agree to this? I have to meet all these people and lie about dating Knox. I wouldn’t mind dating Knox, but he had his chance and chose not to go for it. I don’t hold a grudge about it. When he apologized, I accepted it because what else can I do?
I just wish he wasn’t so flirtatious lately. Our looks tend to linger a little longer since our conversation on the rooftop. He doesn’t shy away when he’s in my way anymore but allows me to slide by him, our bodies touching. I feel as if someone has nestled the kindling together for a fire and they’re hovering over it with the knife and flint.
“No, this is fake,” I say.
Sierra rolls her eyes. “So what? All this shit Leilani put you through, you deserve a night of fun that includes being limp in his bed tomorrow morning.”
Evan laughs, and Blanca gives me a smile to say that Sierra is just being Sierra.
“Lip time, so she can’t talk anymore.” Blanca winks and puts on my lipstick. Once she’s done, she steps back, appraising her work. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks,” I say.
“Don’t thank me until you see it.” She holds out her hand for me to go to the bathroom.
Rian emerges from the bedroom as I walk past her to the bathroom. I look in the mirror and I can hardly believe it’s me. Although I felt as though Blanca was layering my makeup like a five-tier cake, it’s not overpowering. It kind of makes me feel sexy and beautiful.
A knock lands on the apartment door, and Blanca jogs over. “Don’t come out until we tell you.”
I nod.
I hear the door open and Rian says, “Hello, are you here to pick up Kamea?”
The other girls laugh, and Knox says, “Cut the act. What did you do with her?”
I step out, not about making my reveal a big deal. This is a fake date. The girls want it to be more than it is. But his head turns and his gaze takes me in. Without saying a word, he steps toward me, the two of us soaking the other in. He’s wearing a dark suit—I can’t tell if it’s dark gray or black—a white shirt, and a pinstripe tie. It’s the flush on his cheeks I can’t stop staring at. Is he as nervous as me?
“You look great. You ready?” He holds out his hand.