pulled away to get some fake lashes. “Just . . . stay here. Come out tonight for Carnival. I promise it’ll be fun and you won’t regret it.”
“I don’t even have anything to wear.”
“That’s the least of it.” She turned her face back to Jose as she spoke, “Jose can do your makeup and I’ll get you something from Xiomara’s closet. She ran off to New York anyway. It’s not like she misses anything she left behind. I bet she has some old ballet outfits.”
“I don’t know about ballet outfits, but she has that beautiful feathered skirt and crop top,” Jose said. “She never even wore it.”
“The one that gives The Crow and Cruel Intentions vibes?”
“That one!” Jose stood up. “She left it behind. I’ll go grab it for you, Pen. Don’t worry, we’ll have you looking like the hostess of the show.”
“I thought they didn’t pick women to be the host.” I smiled.
“They don’t,” Jose said as he waltzed out of the room.
“You know the patriarchy and their bullshit.” Dee rolled her eyes.
I shrugged. It wasn’t anything new, and it wasn’t like we were the only ones stuck on that bullshit.
“I knew I’d seen it there.” Jose walked back into the room with an item of clothing on either hand. “Skirt and bustier.”
“That’s a bra.” I blinked. “My grandmother would wring my neck if she saw me out in that.”
“She’s not going to be there,” Dee said with a laugh.
“You act like she won’t know every single thing that went on and what everyone was wearing before breakfast tomorrow.” I looked at the clothes as Jose walked over and touched the black feathers that looked like they were wet. The material felt glossy, almost like a dominatrix leather. I envisioned it on me—I could wear tiny boy shorts under the skirt. The feathers would hit me well above the knees. The bustier would lift my small breasts. I could wear a chunky gold necklace and a gold bracelet.
“Look at you. You’re salivating.” Jose chuckled then looked over at Dee. “She’s totally going to wear it.”
“I’m totally going to wear it.” There was no use in denying it. “I am going to need you to do my makeup though.”
“Girl. I’m going to do your makeup and we need to do something about that hair. That messy bun is sexy, but not for Carnival.”
“Do whatever you want with me.” I opened up my arms. “I’m willing to be your pet project.”
And pet project I was. Between Jose and Dee, they had me ready at the speed of light. When they were finished, I zipped up my knee-high combat boots and walked over to the mirror. The red lipstick I was wearing contrasted with the all-black attire, making it the perfect combination. I smiled. I looked sexy. I felt sexy.
“You’re both magicians.”
“So they say.” Jose winked. I laughed.
“Let’s head out. I told Martín we’d meet him at Dolly’s for shots.”
“I cannot wait to see this Martín guy,” Jose said. “Is he cute?”
“He’s cute.” I smiled. “He doesn’t stop talking, but he’s cute.”
“Oh, a chatterbox with Dee?” Jose’s eyes widened. “Who talks more?”
“I’m going to pretend you are not talking about me like that in front of me.” Dee shook her head, smiling as we walked out of her room. “But for the record, I talk more because I have a lot more interesting shit to say.”
“Right,” Jose and I both said with a laugh.
“Who’s the host this year?” I asked. “Of Carnival I mean.”
“Oh, you haven’t heard?” Jose’s brows rose.
“Shit. I didn’t tell you?” Dee’s eyes widened as she grabbed my arm. “This doesn’t change anything. We’re still going.”
“Don’t tell me it’s a Caliban.” I rolled my eyes.
“It is.” Dee bit her lip. “But who cares? It’s not like he’s going to pick you. You don’t even know each other.”
“Isn’t Mr. Caliban old, like really old?”
“And bedridden,” Jose said. “He’s not the host. God. He was such a horror when he was the host. I’m kind of shocked they picked someone from that family at all.”
“Seriously,” I agreed.
“Who’d they pick? The son?”
“Must be.” Jose shrugged. “He’s become a legend around here, coming in and out of Pan Island whenever he pleases with his fancy-ass cars and model girlfriends.”
“Really?” My brows rose. “Why would he come here? And how?”
“By boat, I assume.”
“He takes a boat and doesn’t die in those waters?” I raised an eyebrow and glanced at Dee.
“Hey, I haven’t been here either. Whenever I do visit, I only hear stories about