Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Chapter Nineteen
COSIMA
Tova taps her foot as Rina styles her hair. We’ve been making small talk about what I’d been up to, and then we’d moved on to talk about books. As much as we love talking about books, I know it’s not what Tova wants to be discussing right now. She’s dying to get the tea, but she’ll just have to wait. It’s almost comical how she keeps having to stop herself from asking me.
I don’t think it dawned on her that we couldn’t have full-on girl talk with the two stylists here. I am letting the other, Abby, put makeup on me. I normally want to do it myself, but Tova already had them here.
“Don’t pin her bangs back,” I say when Rina starts to push them to the side with a glittery Dior clip.
“They’re long.” A few strands are catching on her glasses.
“They need to be trimmed.” Rina’s lips press together, and I know she’s fighting a retort. “Her husband loves her bangs. It’s her signature look.”
“Really?” Tova’s face lights up with a smile.
“Yes.” Tova has this soft beauty to her and a unique style not everyone could pull off.
Tova peeks up at Rina, and I know what she wants to say and do, but her politeness stops her. It's not about being rude but speaking up for yourself. Tova is getting there. I think she's still new to having any kind of say about things.
It doesn't, however, stop me.
"I think we're done." I clap my hands together, standing up.
"What?" Abby appears almost panicked.
"It's fine. Really. If you could leave your things, I'll have someone drop them off to you later. You'll get paid extra."
"But—" Rina starts to push back, or I can sense it coming from the furrow of her brows and the narrowing of her eyes.
"I promise it will be well worth it, and honestly"—I give her my sweetest smile—"I'm not really asking." Tova's eyes widen, and she fights to keep her face neutral. "So if you don't mind." I walk over to the tall double doors to the library, opening one. I see Mickey standing there. His arms are folded over his chest.
He gives me a chin nod, which I return with a smile. Mickey's been around for years, so it's not shocking War has him watching over Tova.
"These lovely ladies are leaving," I tell him.
"Right," one huffs, I think Rina, but whatever.
"Thank you for your time." I close the door behind them.
"God, I love you." Tova jumps up from her chair. "You have to teach me how to do that."
"In time," I laugh. "That's why you need me."
"I need you for more than that." She grabs my hand. "Now tell me what's going on. I almost exploded waiting for the details.” Tova leads me back over to the chairs we'd been sitting in.
"Sit," I tell her, scanning the items the ladies left behind and finding a pair of shears to cut her bangs.
"Come on. You're killing me here."
I laugh. "As you know, Z and I are a thing."
"Well, yeah." Tova rolls her eyes. "I need more than that."
"Don't roll your eyes. I need you to stay still," I order her as I start to cut her bangs.
"Fine," Tova says without moving her mouth, remaining completely still.
“Why don’t we wait for me to tell you everything?” I tell her when I’m done with her bangs. I run my fingers through them, giving them a little fluff. Yeah, Tova totally rocks bangs.
“What, why?” From her expression, you’d think I kicked her puppy.
“You just got married and”—I put my hand to her stomach—“you got a baby in there. This time is for you.”
“Nope, nope, nope,” Tova repeats over and over, shaking her head vehemently. “That’s bullcrap. If you don’t want to tell other people, fine, but you have to tell me,” she says very dramatically. “I can’t believe you would put so much stress on me in my condition.” Her hand now goes to her belly.
“I think you’ve been hanging out with me too much.”
“Good.” Tova raises her chin, like she's proud of that. It hits me right in the feels. My dramatics can annoy people. Yet she seems to admire that about me.
"I'm not sure we have the time."
"CliffsNotes then."
"CliffsNotes? Really?" That is not going to work for her. Tova loves the details; we all do. That can be the best part.
"Yes, you owe me. You up and disappeared, and then I found out you're with Marks. You two were over there being BFFs, and I wasn't included.” I can see the hurt in her eyes, but she's trying not to show it.
"You're pissed."
"I'm a little—"
"You. Are. Pissed." I emphasize each word. "Go on."
"All right, I'm pissed, okay?"
"Right, and I'm sorry. That would have really hurt my feelings if the roles were reversed," I tell her. I wanted Tova and War to get their time together and not get wrapped up in my drama, but I get where she is coming from.