“So what are you doing in California?” asked Nikki, getting to the point.
“You know that guy who thought the world was round? And everyone told him it was flat and then he sailed around the world and proved it really was round?”
“Magellan?”
“No! The famous guy.”
“You mean Columbus?”
“Yeah, that’s the guy.”
“What about him?”
“Well, I guess you could say I’m the Columbus of vacation time. I’m currently proving that it exists.”
“Vacation time?” repeated Nikki incredulously. “Since when?”
“Since Monday. I would have been here sooner, but it took me two days to find you.”
“You are seriously telling me that you are on vacation.”
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“Two weeks.”
“Two weeks with no bullets, bombs, or fistfights?”
“Not unless they’re aimed at you,” Z’ev said seriously.
Nikki ignored this comment and considered the prospect of two weeks with Z’ev. “So, you’re going to be here for two weeks? That means we could go out to dinner and I could probably see you every day.”
“Probably,” Z’ev agreed, taking another sip of his drink.
“That would be so weird. It would almost be like having a boyfriend or something.”
Z’ev’s reserve cracked at that point and he laughed. “Or something. Hey, if I’m getting demoted to boyfriend, can we do stuff?”
“Do stuff?” Nikki asked, raising an eyebrow. Just what did he mean by that?
“Yeah, like Disneyland. I’ve never been, and everyone says that Pirates of the Caribbean is really great. And I kind of want to see the Chinese theater and all those sidewalk stars.”
“Disneyland, Hollywood, sure. What about surfing?” asked Nikki with a laugh.
“Yeah, surfing. That’d be good, too.”
Nikki found that she was grinning at Z’ev and he was grinning back. He took some cash out of his pocket and tossed it on the bar. “Come on,” he said, standing up. “The world’s not getting any rounder.”
Nikki stood up, and when she did he reached for her and pulled her into a kiss.
“Nikki!” yelled Jane, bursting into the bar. Nikki groaned and buried her head in Z’ev’s shoulder.
“Go away, Jane,” she said, not moving her head.
Jane hopped from foot to foot in agitation. “There’s a problem. A kind of big problem.”
“Yeah?” Nikki said, finally looking at Jane.
But Jane had noticed Z’ev. “Oh golly, you’re him, aren’t you? You aren’t supposed to be here.”
Z’ev looked questioningly at Nikki, who shrugged.
“What kind of problem, Jane?”
“There’s a, uh, package that’s gone, uh, missing.”
“Missing?” Nikki repeated, wondering what the hell Jane was babbling about.
“Missing,” Jane answered. “Mrs. M says to come quick.” Nikki looked back at Z’ev. He returned her gaze and shrugged. It was up to her.
Nikki tried to assess how likely it was that Mrs. Merrivel would fire her.
“Tell her I’m on vacation,” said Nikki with a laugh, and she kissed her boyfriend.
Acknowledgments
Like Nikki, I am surrounded by amazing women who have supported and inspired me. Their efforts have not only shaped this novel, but myself as well. My aunt Linda inspired me to actually do something serious with my writing. Heather, Michal, and Michelle, who, when I confessed my brilliant idea for a book about the militant wing of a certain home-sales cosmetics giant, laughed at me, made up the Carrie Mae salute (chest thump, mascara twirl), but never ceased to encourage me. Juel’s wit, assistance, and sage advice came always just at the right time. Theresa has been my champion in the battlefield of publishing. And Jennae. I could probably write an epic poem about the ways Jennae has helped me, but suffice it to say she has been my comforting shoulder to lean on, my true editor, and my friend for over a decade. Without these women, Bulletproof Mascara would not have made it from my head to the page or from my computer to print, and I cannot acknowledge or thank them enough, but for what it’s worth—my undying thanks and love to all of you.
Bulletproof Mascara: A Novel Page 35