Page 112 of The Backup Plan
“I mean, if Avery’s coming, I’ll bring Kaia. If not, just us.”
“Avery’s coming, and we have a hotel. I’m not sleeping in your basement.”
“Good thing I didn’t ask you to.”
“The bumble bee was gone the morning after we talked, you know. I walked back to get the truck, and the little house I made was there, but the leaf roof came off and the bee was gone.”
“You really made a house for a bee.” Ethan paused. “And you really just sent me a picture of a house you made for a bee.”
“He was cold, man. I’m not a monster.”
“I’m sure he appreciated it.”
Pippa flung the blending sponge at the wall. “What the hell is wrong with you?” she asked through gritted teeth.
“What the hell is wrong with your attitude?” Cam shot back. “This is the same face you’ve been powdering since August, and I shaved right before I left, especially for you. I shaved for you, Pippa. My girlfriend is about to question our professional relationship. Can we get this done before Shelby gets here and rips both of our heads off?”
“I meant the sponge.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
Pippa’s lip quivered as she picked up the foundation palette. “I’m sorry. I’m supposed to be good at makeup,” she squeaked. “I do everybody’s makeup.”
“Yours looks great,” Cam said, unnerved by her sudden shift in tone. “It’s a shame I don’t need eyeshadow. That purple color you’ve got looks really nice.”
“I had a color all made up for you, though, and it worked great before. But now it looks all wrong.”
“Different light?”
“I’ve used it right here a million times. Oh, no. Did it look bad all those other times?”
“Pips, chill. It always looked great. We would both be dead now if it didn’t.” He stroked his jawline. “Just make a new blend. Or honestly, I’m happy to go without it. It’s just a podcast video.”
“You’ve got a little razor burn on your neck, and one spot here going red.” She poked a tender bump where a pimple seemed to be taking root. He grimaced.
“You always do a great job. We can try again if you want to, but honestly, I don’t care what I look like for this. You can tell Shelby I grabbed the makeup remover and the cotton balls and ran away.” He checked his watch. “Ten minutes. Do I look okay otherwise?”
Pippa nodded, her lips pursed into a pout. “You’re fine. Shay’s coming to do your hair, right?”
“She is. Should I sign anything while we’re waiting, as long as I’m here?”
Shelby barged in and crossed the room in two strides. She glared at Pippa. “Why isn’t he done yet?”
“We’re skipping makeup,” Cam said. “It’s a podcast video.”
“Exactly. It’s a video.”
“My pores are having a bad day.”
“Porter.”
“That makeup is tested on animals. I object.”
“Jesus Christ.”
“You’ve called me a lot of names, Susan, but borrowing from Our Lord and Savior is a bit much.”
“I am sticking to our agreement, Cameron,” she said, delivering his name with a harsh chill. “The one you asked for. You’re mine for the next hour, and you will present this university in its best light, which means you will look the part of the wholesome, All-American student athlete we’re supposed to pretend you are.”