41Tears smeared pale foundation down Lilly Blake’s cheeks. The white paint mixing with tears looked like melting snow. Lilly’s hand wobbled as she tried to apply mascara. A streak of black cut down her eyelid like a scar.
The first-time model was a sad clown.
Ava stayed in her makeup chair while the stylist finished her hair. She stared as Annabelle Leigh moved behind Lilly, watching the girl nervously design her face.
“Do you want some help?” Annabelle asked. Her voice rang deep from within her chest, oaken and earthy. She sounded like a warm bass drum, a motherly vibrato thrumming beneath her words.
“I’m okay,” Lilly squealed through her tears. She hid her face in her arm, blond curls catching the white paint on her face.
“A hug then, maybe?” Annabelle asked.
Lilly wrapped her own
