Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
She knew Hailey was a sucker for new makeup and new beauty products. “Oh, wow,” Hailey said.
And for the first time in weeks, she looked happy.
“And they even sent your favorite colors. Florally pink, and so pretty.” Harlow handed the box of goodies to Hailey and rushed back into the office to find a small mirror she had seen Hailey use to apply makeup so many times. With it in her grasp, she stood in front of her friend.
“Go on, try it. You know you want to.”
“I don’t think now is the right time.”
Harlow rolled her eyes. “There’s probably never a good time for makeup. Us women have to find the time. Come on. Try it, Hailey. You know you’re going to love it.”
She nibbled her lip and watched and waited for her friend to glide the lipstick across her lips.
Hailey took a deep breath and then she looked at her face, and swiped the lipstick across her lips. It was a bright pink, but not too bright. There was also a tint of gloss to the lips.
Since she had gotten out of the hospital, Hailey hadn’t worn any makeup. Harlow wasn’t used to her friend being without makeup. Even after the truth had come out about Kinky, she had always worn something, be it foundation or lipstick, even mascara. It was all there.
“How does it feel?” Harlow asked.
“It feels really nice.” She pressed her lips together and then pouted in the mirror. “How does it look?”
“Pretty. Real pretty,” Harlow said.
Hailey laughed. “That is what you always say when you don’t have a clue what to actually say.”
Harlow winked at her.
“The windows are all set,” Hunter said, coming into the shop.
She turned and stood beside Hailey. Her friend held the box in her hands while Harlow still held the mirror.
“It’s looking good,” Hailey said. “I think we can start to fill the displays with products.”
Harlow couldn’t help but clap her hands together in excitement. She knew it might look a little crazy, but this was a huge step and no one was going to take it away from the two of them.
The products in the back hadn’t been damaged, unlike the ones that had been ruined from the rain of bullets.
Glancing over at Hailey as she brought out the box of goodies, Harlow suddenly realized what her friend’s problem was.
She was about to ask her how she was doing, but then stopped as Raven, Ava, Abriana, Larissa, entered the beauty parlor.
“How is it this place smells so good?” Abriana asked.
“I have scents,” Hailey said. “We’re not open yet.”
Raven waved her hand in the air. “That’s fine. You can all make us look pretty soon. We’ve come to help.”
“To help?” Hailey asked.
“Yeah, I know you and Harlow have it handled, but it will go faster and we can get you up and running with all of us.”
Larissa giggled. “Please, I know absolutely nothing about makeup, but every time I pass this shop, I always want to come and ask.” Larissa moved closer and hugged Hailey. “Do you think you’ll be able to teach me?”
Harlow smiled and winked at Hailey, who had looked at her. This is what the club was all about. This was what family was all about. At least, in her experience.
Ava had a baby strapped to her front. Umberto was nowhere to be seen, nor was Abriana’s child. She figured the guys were taking care of them. They were a unit and they worked together. This is what Harlow had been missing for so long and what she had hoped would happen with Hailey.
“I had no idea there were this many options,” Ava said. “This is an insane amount of makeup.”
Hailey chuckled. “This is only a small selection.”
Harlow glanced over at Hailey who seemed to finally be happy. Nothing she had done over the past couple of weeks had helped.
Hunter brought them all some food from the diner, which Harlow was grateful for. They all took a lunch break.
Larissa and Hailey were sitting together, chatting about all things makeup and hairstyles.
“Thank you,” Harlow said.
“What are you thanking me for?”
“Either you or Kinky did this.” She glanced over at him. “And seeing as Kinky is not here, I’m more inclined to say and believe you did this.”
“It was a joint effort,” Hunter said. “Kinky wanted to know how Hailey was doing, but he also knows his presence is not welcome. I told him what was happening. He said she needed distractions. I rounded up the women with Smokey’s help.”
Harlow smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re worth it, Harlow.”
She nibbled her lip and then glanced down at her large portion of fries. They hadn’t talked about his declaration. Hunter also hadn’t pushed, but that pain she had experienced every time she saw him had slowly begun to fade. Harlow didn’t know if it was because she had nearly lost her friend, or if time had started to cure that feeling, or if it was Hunter himself. She didn’t know if he spoke the truth or not.