Tramp (Hush Book 1) by Mary Elizabeth

Author:Mary Elizabeth [Elizabeth, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Hush, Volume 1
Publisher: Mary Elizabeth
Published: 2020-11-12T00:00:00+00:00

Grand Haven elites love to host charity balls all year long, but none of them top the Grand Haven Carousel of Love Gala—where the rich raise money for the inner-city families they displaced by invading the area and driving up the cost of living. Gentrification isn’t something anyone will admit to. Instead, our elected officials and the lobbyists who stuff their pockets full of money pat themselves on the back for decreasing crime rates and increasing property value.

In an effort to stay out of Hell when they die, these same politicians and lobbyists throw a huge party to fund low-income housing, supply textbooks to their shit schools, and offer food assistance—outside Grand Haven city limits, of course. The most powerful people in the state are invited, as is the media to document the do-gooding, and it’s the one night a year every single girl who works for Inez is under the same roof at once.

Except one.

Normally.

This year, Cara Smith’s name is on the Carousel of Love VIP guest list with a plus one.

“What do you think?” Camilla stands in my bedroom doorway. Her hair is in large rollers, her nails are freshly painted, and she’s dressed in a black floor-length sequined evening gown with a slit clear up her thigh. She runs her hands down her sides and smiles. “I’ve never worn anything so beautiful in my life.”

Since our discussion about names went sour a week ago, I’ve kept my worries and opinions to myself. Camilla’s made her choice. In seven days, she’s taken huge strides to follow in my footsteps, including choosing a name to work under and watching me intently before and after my weekly appointments. We’ve gone over how to pick and choose clients, how my appointments work, and how to behave accordingly. She’s watched me apply makeup, tried on my clothes, and she’s learned to give space when I can’t find the courage to speak another word and lock myself in my room.

“That’ll work,” I say. I don’t tell her the truth, that she’s breathtaking. Galas such as tonight’s won’t be in her normal job description. I don’t want her to think this is customary. “Change out of it so I can do your makeup.”

The fresh-faced newcomer transforms into a goddess as I dab concealer under her gold eyes and deepen the color along her cheekbones with blush. I apply neutral eye shadow across her eyelids and lengthen her lashes with a heavy coat of mascara. She wants to try the shimmering highlighter down the bridge of her nose, and she chooses a deep cranberry-colored lipstick. We laugh when some smears across her front teeth, and she jokes about leaving it there all night.

Camilla helps me pull the rollers from her hair, and we decide it’s too pretty to pin up and shape her curls into an elegant wave instead.

“I don’t recognize myself,” she whispers, staring at her reflection in my vanity mirror.

Over her shoulder, I say, “Get used to it.”

Camilla returns to her room to finish getting ready, and I pull my dress out of the closet.

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