The Slow Burn (Moonlight and Motor Oil #2)(43)

“Too late,” I muttered.

“Oh God,” she said anxiously. “Really, he’s a good guy. He thinks you’re amazing. He loves your son. Don’t let that freak you.”

I reached for the all-over, under-foundation primer, replying, “That part doesn’t freak me, Iz. Me doing something stupid to make him take off does.”

“You’re not going to do anything stupid. You’re awesome.”

“You’re my big sister, you’re supposed to say that.”

“You’re awesome, Addie,” she stated firmly.

“I was awesome,” I retorted. “I was fun and up for anything and partied all night and worked all day. Now I have a thirteen-month-old kid and I wear a smock to work. An ugly one.”

“Stop it,” she snapped.

I paused in putting on shadow because my big sis was not snappy.

“You’re no different now than you were then,” she declared. “Everyone’s priorities change as they live their lives. Toby’s been all over everywhere doing everything, and for the last seven months he’s been here, working at his family’s garage, because you’re here and he wanted to be around you. I don’t know what this relationship is gonna bring and I don’t know what life is gonna bring for you. I just know you two fit. And more importantly, I know you’re no less awesome now than you were two years ago. In fact, you’re a thousand times more awesome now because you made Brooks, he’s a beautiful boy, you’re a great mom, and that’s added on to what you’ve always been. An amazing sister, a fantastic friend, dependable, loyal, funny and your brand of sweet.”

I went back to my shadow and didn’t say anything.

But I felt a lot.

“Deanna says I’m white chocolate, because I’m so sugary,” she continued. “And she’s dark chocolate, because she’s sharp but still rich. Though I think she’s a truffle. But we’re not talking about Deanna. You are some of that milk chocolate that’s smooth and delicious, but it has chili powder in it, so it’s got a hint of the good kind of sting. That hasn’t changed just because you made a baby. Just be your brand of chocolate because first, it’s you and it’s fabulous, and second, Toby likes the taste.”

I was blending some smoky-eye magic when I said, “You can stop with the supportive big sister stuff.”

“There’s that chili powder.”

I nearly stabbed myself in the eye with my brush as I rolled them.

“Right, that’s done and you’re cool with it,” I began. “Now I need to ask a favor.”

“Anything.”

God, my sister just killed me.

“I’m feeling the need to share with Toby what he’s getting with me and I have about half an hour to do something it’d normally take an hour to do. This being sexy makeup and fuck-me hair. So things don’t get awkward later when everyone shows, do you mind calling Margot and Deanna and sharing the state of play with Toby and me?”

“Consider it done.”

Yeah.

My sister.

Killing me.

But she did it softly.

“Great. Thank you. Love you. Now I just need to figure out what I’m gonna wear,” I told her.

“It’s a Christmas party, so that green long-sleeve tee with the low hem that goes over your hips and the deep boat neck that shows the points of your shoulders. Plus that gold belt that looks like it’s made of necklace chains that sits low on your hips. Nothing at your neck, but those red statement earrings with all the swirls and the tear-drop crystals at the bottom. Jeans so it’s still casual. Totally red lippy. Bright red lippy.”

I was already going to do the red lipstick.

But the outfit was perfection.

“Thanks, Izzy.”

“No problem, Addie. Now I’ll let you get on with it. Love you.”

“Love you too, babe.”

“See you soon.”

“You will. Later.”

“Later, doll.”

Once we disconnected, I halted the production in order to pick up my phone and text, Izzy’s cool. She’s happy for us, to Toby.

Then I got back down to business, giving the makeup a rest in order to blow out my hair, put it in big rollers, give them a shot of hairspray, and get back to makeup.

In the midst of that, I got a text back from Toby that stated, Johnny’s done. He’s cool too. See you soon, babe.

When I read that, something weird fluttered in my chest.

Okay, oh God.

He was going to see me soon, after we fucked hot, fast and the good kind of nasty on the edge of his bed without even taking off all of our clothes, and we were going to be together for a whole half an hour without Brooklyn or anyone before everyone showed.

Okay, oh God.

I was not this girl.

I knew I was not hard on the eyes. I had Daphne Forrester in me, Eliza as my sister, and she was gorgeous, and I looked like both of them.

And I’d always had a lot of male attention.

But it was more.

I was a survivor. I didn’t need anybody.

I could pay my bills (or I used to be able to). I could take out my own trash. I could get my car in to change the oil.

I’d never needed a man to define or complete me.

And I gave off that vibe and it utterly repulsed some men, but it drew in others.