Page 162 of Wolf Roulette

Oh my god.

“Rhona?” I called.

She glanced back. “Yeah?”

“Are you free around four this afternoon? I want to test something out and could use your help.”

28

I frowned.

“Pleasestop thinking about head steward stuff for five seconds.” Wade hissed. “You know what, make that all night. You don’t have any meetings until tomorrow. Switch. It. Off.”

This was his big night. “Sorry. I will. You’re right. I’m really excited to see what you’ve pulled together.”

Wade had kept the ball preparations hush-hush. Aside from the colour of my dress and his matching outfit, I knew nothing.

I should be worried.

He kissed my cheek, and Cam, curling my hair, shooed him away.

“I’ve got to run final checks.” Wade smoothed the front of his shiny gold suit. “I’ll meet you two there. Text me when you’re outside, so I can make a proper entrance.”

I tucked away my grin. “We will. This is going to be great, Wade, seriously. I know how much effort you’ve put in.”

He flashed me a nervous smile before sweeping out the door.

I met Cam’s gaze in the mirror. “I feel the population of Deception Valley is about to be enlightened.”

She clipped a pin in place. “I’d say so.”

Studying my appearance in the mirror, she then pinned a wispy piece of hair away. “There.” She took a photo of the back and showed me the picture. “Tell me how good I am.”

“How the hell did you do that?” The thick, loose braids circled my head like a tiara. I couldn’t see where one braid began and the other ended. The rest of my hair flowed down my back in soft waves.

“Skill,” she replied. “Are you good to do your make-up?”

“Sure. Can I help you in any way?”

She licked her lips. “You can get one of the drinks from my bag. And one for you.”

I vacated the mirror spot and riffled through her bag. “I’ll join you, but alcohol really doesn’t work on me anymore.”

“I’ll live for us both.”

Stealing a corner of the mirror, I brushed on foundation as Cam started on her hair. I never put much thought into my make-up, but this felt like a big occasion, so I paid careful attention. Wade would absolutely kick me out of the ball if I made him look bad.

Contemplating the assortment of eye shadows, I decided on a light brown for my crease and blended a dusty pink over most of my lid. I dabbed a shimmering gold at the inside corner.

I’d already put on liquid eye-liner—because women who could do that after their eye shadow were elite. I swept on mascara and stood back.

Thank you, YouTube tutorials.

“That’s perfect,” Cam murmured, already applying her lipstick. “Sascha will get a massive boner.”

“That’s what I’m going for.”

“Actually though. Are you?”