02 The Moon And The Tide - Marina's Tales by Derrolyn Anderson Page A

while we waited. We decided to
make the studio our dressing room because of the great lighting,
and I set up a hair and makeup station at a table near the window.
When the doorbell rang I rushed over to get it.
    “Hey! You’re back!” the delivery boy said
with a smile.
    “Just for a quick visit,” I replied, “But my
dad will be back home this summer.” I tipped him generously and
brought in a box of cartons that smelled delicious.
    We ate at the kitchen counter, perched on bar
stools. Meat-starved Cruz devoured the beef skewers with peanut
sauce, and Megan was partial to the Pad Thai noodles. They were
also my dad’s favorite, and thinking about him made me feel a
little sad again. I wondered how he was getting along, so far away
from me. I was quiet as we finished eating, and I sat pensively,
toying with my chopsticks.
    “You okay?” Ethan asked, reading my mood.
    “I’m fine,” I sighed, “It’s just that this
place reminds me of my dad...” He reached over and stroked my back
reassuringly.
    Cruz squeezed my hand, “Marina! Buck up– I
need you in a good mood!
    “I’m in a great mood,” I said, thinking about
what lay in store for us across the hall at Evie’s.
    I smiled at them all and turned to Megan,
“Come on, let’s go do your hair.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Party
     
     
    I sat Megan down by the window and went to
work, smoothing her hair with a straight iron and pulling it back.
I rolled up the sides to form a heart shape at the crown and pinned
it up, standing back to admire the effect. It looked really cute
and brought out her pretty face, which she usually concealed behind
her mop of unruly curls.
    Turning my focus to her makeup, I evened out
her complexion, contouring her cheekbones and shaping her brows. I
gave her the dramatic eye Cruz requested with black eyeliner that
winged out at the edges and topped it off with loads of mascara.
Brushing a light dusting of rouge across her cheekbones, I circled
around to inspect her from all sides.
    “You look awesome,” I grinned, satisfied with
my work.
    I handed her a mirror and she gasped, “Whoa!
I look like a diva!”
    “Let’s go show Cruz,” I said, excited to see
his reaction.
    “No wait– I should get dressed first. He
needs to get the full effect!”
    There was a knock on the door and I poked my
head out.
    “Well?” Cruz asked impatiently.
    “Five minutes,” I said, holding up my palm
and darting back in.
    Megan wriggled into the dress and I zipped
her up. She slipped on the shoes and gloves and I tied the bow onto
her neck. I gave her a quick blast of hairspray and scrutinized her
through narrowed eyes.
    “Lipstick,” I said, “and then you’re
done.”
    I walked out ahead of Megan to find Cruz
pacing nervously while Ethan sat on the couch with one of my dad’s
books.
    Cruz saw Megan and his eyes flew open wide,
“You look fantastic!” he cried, “I can’t wait to show Evie!” He
circled around the dress, adjusting the ruffles.
    “You look really pretty Megan,” said Ethan,
standing up. He looked at me, “When are we going over to
Evie’s?”
    “She wanted us to come by a little early, so
I’ll go get changed now,” I said.
    My hair was a lot easier to do because Cruz
wanted it down and wavy, which is pretty much the way it is
naturally. I parted it on the side and curled a few spots with an
iron, pulling up one side and letting the rest fall in soft waves
past my shoulders. I fastened the pin in my hair and started
working on the makeup.
    I quickly applied a smudged, smoky eyeliner
with pale cheeks and lips. The simple makeup suited the dress, and
I hoped Cruz would be happy with it. I slid into the gown,
adjusting the neckline; the slinky fabric clung to my skin, its
soft sheen reflecting the last waning rays of sunlight. I fastened
my earrings and strapped on the heels.
    The sky was starting to darken outside and I
could just begin to see my reflection in the window. I twisted and
turned to check the fit and was