Chapter 22
I definitely wasn’t a makeup person. I’d never worn it in my life and probably owned one lipstick or lip gloss and I couldn’t recall where I had put it or last used it. But despite this, I was fascinated as Tammy carefully matched my skin tone to the foundations she had in her makeup kit before applying it with a
sponge.
“I promise to not go crazy but I thought it’d be fun to get you glammed up. Tammy spoke as she worked, her actions gentle and soothing.
“That’s really nice of you but you honestly don’t have to. I muttered as I watched Tammy find an appropriate shade of concealer.
“I know but I want to. I’ve always wanted a little sister and I guess see that in you.” Tammy shrugged casually. “I’m going to hide those bruises as well. You shouldn’t have to look at them on your birthday…or ever.”
I blushed, too shy to argue as Tammy worked.
How did you learn how to do all of this?‘ I asked after a while.
“School. Tammy replied simply. I always liked makeup and hair. I found I especially liked making others feel good about themselves. So I decided to become a hairdresser and do make up for weddings or proms.”
“That sounds like a lot of fun.”
“It is.” Tammy agreed. “It’s definitely a job of passion.”
“How long have you been with Aiden?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“Not long. We dated a little before he joined the military but we mostly just hooked up whenever Aiden was in town. It seemed natural to start again when he finally came home.” Tammy explained as she examined her work.
The pang of guilt was layered. I could never tell her that just this week I had been in a situation where I wished Aiden would kiss me. However that wasn’t the only shame I felt gnawing at my insides like an insidious parasite. Just listening to the fondness in Tammy’s voice when she spoke of Aiden had my blood burning with covetous poison. I didn’t envy their relationship, I envied Tammy for being with Aiden.
So there sat the second layer of my sinful shame. It was something I was utterly disgusted of. Tammy had been nothing but amazing towards me and yet I longed for Aiden to see me as more than his best friend’s little sister. To feel this way about any boy was confusing and new to me. I had never allowed myself to entertain the mere suggestion of those thoughts and fantasies and yet when those blue eyes landed on me for the first time, I knew I was hooked.
“Okay, so that’s all done but you can’t see.” Tammy announced as she put the lid on the lipstick before I could see the colour. “Now let me do your hair.”
“Isn’t this a bit much for eating birthday cake?” I asked nervously.
“Pfft! No!” Tammy scoffed. “More like, is this enough?”
Tammy didn’t take long with my hair but gushed the whole way through about how thick it was and how she loved the colour. Again I wasn’t allowed to see what she had done but rather follow her to my bedroom where I watched her rummage through my wardrobe clearly looking for something specific that I wasn’t privy to.
“Oh!” Tammy suddenly glanced up from assessing a top she didn’t appear impressed by, eyes sparkling like gems. “Wait here! I know just the thing!”
I was left standing awkwardly in my own room utterly confused as to what was going on as Tammy moved around like a whirlwind. Moments later she had skipped back into the room with a faded black muscle t–shirt with a band name and logo I didn’t recognise. Thrusting it at me, she grinned excitedly.
