Love's Dance Read online

  A male, almost soprano voice burst out of the radio. It was ear-shattering and beyond irritating.

  "Gah!"

  Stabbing recklessly at the radio buttons, shuddering involuntarily, he searched for something, anything other than that.

  Then something eerily familiar reached his ears, and he paused.

  It was the song she had been dancing to.

  He grinned all the way home.

  ♥♥♥

  "Hey, J, you still looking for work?" Jason called into the kitchen from the dining room.

  "Yeah, why?"

  Jaina didn't take her eyes off the blade in her hands, even as she wondered what Jason was up to. She'd been in Auckland two weeks, and nothing had come of her search for employment.

  Teniel rolled her eyes. “I was gonna do that, Jase!"

  "Do what?" Jaina asked with vague amusement.

  "Well, my cousin's a hairstylist on a program for TV One. She said they're looking for a new makeup artist before they start filming the new season," Teniel said.

  "Really? What show?" Jaina abandoned all pretense of slicing bread and set down the knife.

  Jason looked at Teniel, and smirked. Teniel gave him a sly look.

  "We'd keep it a secret to torment you, but you're pretty smart. And obsessive," Jason said.

  "So what is it?"

  Teniel grinned. "It's set in a little town called Waybridge."

  Jaina's mouth dropped open. "No! You're kidding!"

  "Not kidding," Teniel laughed. "We can see about it tomorrow, eh?"

  ♥♥♥

  Two days later, Jaina showed up on the set of Waybridge Health Centre, her makeup kit in hand. Her brown hair was braided, the stray hairs held with tiny barrettes. She'd tried to dress in something nice, but that she wouldn't mind getting makeup on. It had been a difficult decision.

  She'd ended up in black pants and a forest green knit shirt with a draped neck. She felt a little odd, showing up here, dressed like this. Jaina had the vague thought that it was like something Nora Stevens would wear. She had the briefest of temptations to turn around, run home, and change into something less dressy.

  "You look like a doctor."

  Jaina shrieked and jumped, dropping the makeup kit. It hit the linoleum, popped open, and makeup scattered in every direction. Cursing, she dropped to her knees and began gathering containers of every size and shape.

  The man who'd spoken also knelt. He dropped several lipsticks into the case. Jaina spared him the briefest of glances- then did a double-take.

  The man held out a tube of mascara. It was too bad his dark hair was too short to fall in his blue eyes. The effect would have, maybe, been weak-knee inducing. More than this, she amended mentally.

  Jaina hoped she wasn't flushing. She was afraid that she was. Her skin felt hot. Of all the people to do something stupid in front of... "Uh, thank you."

  She straightened, brushing at her pants. Without looking at him, she gathered the remaining escapees.

  "I take it you're the new makeup artist."

  Jaina nodded. "I am. I think. Yeah."

  'Brilliant!' she thought to herself. 'So articulate and eloquent! IDIOT!'

  She noticed he held her case. When she met his gaze, he was grinning. For an instant, her heart stopped. Jaina took the case from him, put all the makeup in, and set it on a nearby chair.

  The man cleared his throat. Finally, Jaina turned to him.

  He stuck out his hand. "Colin Pierce. I play-"

  "I know who you are. Dr. Alex Noble. And Hedridan in Sea Of Swords." She took a deep breath and put her hand in his. "Jaina McGregor. Late of Sydney, Australia, and before that, Los Angeles."

  "Sydney, hmm? And what were you doing there?"

  "Production on a movie. I'm not at liberty to discuss it. Confidentiality clause and all that."

  "Ah. Intriguing. Like spies."

  "Sure."

  Colin looked at something in his hand. "'Brazen Temptress'," he read.

  Jaina held out her hand. "It's a bright red, wet look finish, with gold and silver glitter, best on medium to dark complexions, and has a matching polish."

  Amused, he handed her the lipstick. "Do you know all your lipsticks that well?"

  "Have to." Jaina set to making sense of the mess.

  "Jaina is an interesting name," he observed. "What does it mean?"

  "'God has been merciful'." She closed the case with a snap. "Where can I find Rachel-"

  "Right here." A woman had appeared out of nowhere. She held out her hand. "Rachel Lake. I take it you're Jaina McGregor?"

  Jaina shook her hand. "That's me."

  "I see you've already met Colin. Oh, here's Jacob. Jaina, this is Jacob Thomas. He plays Dr. Walter Noble. This is Jaina McGregor, our new makeup artist."

  "You haven't even seen me do anything," Jaina pointed out.

  Rachel smiled mysteriously. "I've seen some of your work. But demonstrate for us, if that makes you feel more comfortable."

  She grabbed Colin. "Here, give him a nice cut on his forehead."

  "Sorry, I left my engagement ring in Sydney," Jaina said solemnly.

  Colin looked at her for several moments, trying to see if she was joking or not. Finally, he gave a nervous laugh.

  Rachel shoved Colin into a chair. "Hold still."

  Jaina set down her kit again and rapidly selected the things she'd need. First, she applied spirit gum, then a lump of scar wax, which she smoothed over the spirit gum. Over that, she stippled latex.

  Then she pulled out what, to Colin, looked suspiciously like a scalpel. "Hold perfectly still, please. I don't want to make you really bleed."

  Jaina made the cut into the wax-and-latex area. The slice was a little jagged, larger and rounder near his temple. With a fine brush, she dabbed in some black, red, and pink crème-based makeup.

  Around the outside, she stippled red, green, purple, blue, and yellow into a contusion that covered a large portion of his face. She powered it, then applied a little "bloody scab", a blood-like makeup that would harden into something resembling a scab.

  Rachel and Jacob both looked with amusement at Colin, who was feeling a little anxious, wondering what she'd done to him.

  Jaina handed him a mirror. "There you go."

  He stared at his reflection for several long moments, looking for all the world like a man punched in the face by a woman with a huge diamond ring.

  Rachel turned to Jaina. "If we're shooting a location, you'll just have to make do with what space is available in one of the trailers. But here at Doctor Life, there's a trailer specifically for your use."

  "Cool." Jaina pulled out a bottle of spirit gum remover. "Can I listen to music while I work?"

  "Until filming starts if we're on location, sure. Which will be when you've got all required makeup applied. If we're here on set, you can listen to whatever you prefer, in your trailer, as long as the volume isn't loud enough to disturb anyone. You'll have an assistant, and you'll also report to a supervisor, who will tell you what's needed for the day, or the scene."

  "Got it."

  Jaina thought for a moment, trying not to look at Colin, who was picking at his "scab" and looking at her warily.

  "Is there a specific time I need to be here in the mornings?"

  "We're a little more relaxed, so around seven. Though we do film twenty episodes over six months."

  "As opposed to twenty-two over nine months on average," Jaina said. "For US productions. Which generally start around five AM."

  "Exactly." Rachel smirked at Colin, who was still fidgeting. "Are you okay?"

  "Uh, yeah. Yeah. Can I take this off now?"

  Jaina handed him the spirit gum remover. "Peel the latex and the wax first, trash it, wash off the makeup, and then use the spirit gum remover. Here's a cotton ball. Just a little will do."

  "Right." He grabbed the bottle and bolted.

  Jacob was shaking his head. "I've never seen him act like that."

  "I think it
was the engagement ring comment," Jaina mused, but something felt... strange. Almost like déja vu, but not. "Combined with the scalpel."

  The executive producer took Jaina by the arm. "Come on, I'll give you a tour of the set."

  ♥♥♥

  The set was dark when Jaina emerged from her workroom, where she'd been working on the latex skin for the next day's shoot. Everyone was gone. Except for the security guard, of course. Jaina nodded to him as she passed.

  There were three cars in the "car park". Jaina silently giggled at the term. Her battered red Honda was one of them, and the other two were the guard's truck, and a sleek, silver car that Jaina took a moment to drool over.

  She hefted her case and set it on the roof of the car so she could fit the key in the door. it was still strange to her that she was getting in on the right side.

  She put the makeup supplies on the back seat, then climbed in. She put the key in the ignition and turned it.

  The engine whirred and died.

  She tried again.

  Jaina groaned and threw the car door open. She stood for a moment by the car, feeling quite a bit helpless. She could go to the guard for help, maybe...

  Growling, she kicked the door shut. "I don't need this, you stupid piece of crap!"

  "Was that directed at the car or me?"

  For the second time that day, she jumped. Whirling around, she stared at Colin, feeling vaguely like kicking him, too.

  "The car," she snapped. Then she wearily passed a hand over her face. "Sorry. It just... hasn't been a good year."

  "That bad, huh?"

  "Well, that was a bit of an exaggeration." She glared at the car. "But not by much."

  Colin idly tossed and caught his keys. The second time he did it, though, he missed and the keys hit the ground with a clank. He bent and picked them up. "You need a lift?" he asked.

  "I, uh... I wouldn't be able to get to work in the morning," she said, stalling.

  A voice in her head was telling her to refuse, not to get close to him. Everyone had said that he was "that way", and that could only lead to more heartache for her. After Jack, she didn't want to risk going through it again.

  "I could pick you up in the morning," he offered.

  Jaina hesitated. Dang, why did he have to be so attractive? If only he'd grow his hair a little longer- "Uh... Sure, why not?"

  He smiled, and her heart plummeted to her toes. Hate him, the voice in her head said. Let him drive you home, but hate him.

  She retrieved her makeup and followed him to his car, but she wasn't sure she could obey the voice.

  She let out a sudden laugh. She was upset because she wasn't listening to the voice in her head?

  Colin looked at her curiously. "Something amuse you?"

  "It's nothing. Never mind."

  This was going to be one heck of a season.

  Chapter Three

  "Thanks again for the ride," she said, leaning one arm against the roof of the car, sticking her head in the open window. She held her makeup bag in one arm, her purse over her shoulder, and the paper bag from their quick stop at a fast food place in her other hand.

  "No problem. I'll pick you up tomorrow, then?" Colin asked.

  She nodded, feeling very Alice. "'Night."

  Jaina stood on the sidewalk for several moments after he drove away. Slowly shaking her head, she turned and walked into the house.

  Jason and Teniel were in the living room when she entered. The first thing Jason asked was, "Did you get a ride? Where's your car?"

  "My car is currently stalled in the studio parking lot. Yes, I got a ride. It was fortunate he was still there, though I'm really not sure why he was there, since I was pretty much the last to leave," she said. "I couldn't resist wandering through the set, and then when I went to leave, my car wouldn't start."

  Teniel was looking at her with interest. "You're babbling. Who was it that gave you a ride home?"

  "A guy," Jaina said. "I said 'he'."

  "What guy?" Jason was instantly on guard.

  His sister rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't worry about this guy, Jase. There's not chance. He's, well... Colin Pierce."

  Sudden understand filled Teniel's grey eyes. "Ah. Right."

  "What?" Jason asked, feeling very much in the dark.

  Jaina pivoted on one foot and went upstairs. Behind her, she could hear Jason exclaim, "He's what?!"

  Sleep didn't come easily.

  ♥♥♥

  The next morning, Jaina forced herself out of bed at quarter to six, took a shower, and dressed in jeans and a black shirt. She'd decided before drifting off the night before that if she was going to keep Colin at a distance, to protect herself, she needed a barrier of unattractiveness. It sounded stupid, but...

  Sitting on the bed, pulling on her tennis shoes, Jaina stopped. What was she thinking?! If he was gay, he wouldn't be attracted to her, so there was no logic behind that. Of course, since he was such a nice guy, being not-nice would work a whole lot better.

  But she wanted to be nice. It was Colin!

  He's gay! the voice in her head told her. You don't want to repeat what happened with Jack!

  But... What happened with Jack wouldn't happened, because Colin wouldn't reciprocate if she...

  Jaina sighed and stood. Her sleep had been restless, full of disturbing dreams about Colin, Jack, and herself. Nothing sexual, just... strange. And frightening.

  Instead of bothering with dolling herself up like she'd done the day before, she ran a brush through her hair, put it up in a bun, and put on a thin coat of lip balm.

  It might not have made sense, but if it made her feel safer, she might as well try the ugly approach.

  ♥♥♥

  She was waiting on the curb when Colin's silver car pulled up to the curb. Jaina climbed in and wordlessly buckled her seatbelt.

  "You're quiet this morning," he mused, glancing over at her.

  "Didn't sleep well," Jaina mumbled.

  "That's a pity," he said sympathetically.

  Gruffly, Jaina demanded, "Why?"

  He was a little taken aback. "Because... Well, more sleep is healthier."

  "It really doesn't take a genius to figure that one out."

  Somebody was in a bad mood this morning. "That hurts."

  When Jaina didn't answer, he ventured, "Not a morning person? Or is this an anomaly?"

  "Not a morning person," she conceded reluctantly. "Should have picked a different career."

  He glanced at her, blue eyes considering. "If it's what you enjoy doing, it's worth it."

  "Sometimes," she murmured. "Makeup artists are so unappreciated sometimes."

  Then she sat up. "I am the one who makes everyone look the way people admire. But all the credit goes to the actors."

  "Hey, I can't do elf ears," Colin reasoned amiably.

  "Well... that's true."

  Seeing he'd managed to unruffle her fur a bit, he said, "And I agree with you."

  "You do?" She blinked.

  Colin nodded. "Makeup artists are completely under recognized. Sea Of Swords wouldn't have been the same without our makeup artists."

  "Yeah. It would have been guys running around with Band-Aids on their ears."

  He gave a small laugh. "Yeah, probably."

  "Still, I think seven in the morning to be on set is too early. Doesn't matter how much I like the work. Seven in the morning just shouldn't exist." Jaina looked at her annoyingly short, stubby fingernails that were in desperate need of a manicure.

  Colin smiled wryly. "I feel for people who have to get makeup put on at five AM."

  Jaina shuddered, squeezing her green eyes shut. "I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore. I had to be the one doing the makeup in Sydney, at five in the morning."

  "Well then, seven should be easy for you."

  "You'd think," she scoffed. "No, I'd prefer nine or ten."

  "Then get a regular nine-to-five that you won't enjoy." His voice was vaguely taunting, and she narrow
ed her eyes at him.

  "Hey, I'm perfectly happy working until ten at night. It's the seven in the morning I object to."

  "But you're also off at seven at night."

  "That's if it isn't a thirteen hour shoot, like Rachel said the average is."

  Caught in his lie, he grimaced.

  "Seven AM is too early," she stated once more, looking out the window to watch the passing buildings.

  Colin shook his head, smiling faintly. "Definitely not a morning person," he said softly.

  "What's that supposed to mean?" she growled, turning to look at him.

  "Nothing!" Colin exclaimed. With vast amounts of relief, he said, "Oh, look, we're here. Fancy that."

  "Could it be because you were speeding?" she demanded caustically.

  "Probably."

  Colin got out of the car and dusted off his jeans. He was wearing, for the time being, a white t-shirt. "See you in makeup!"

  Jaina stood by the car, watching as he ran off, leaving her with her CD player and makeup kit.

  "Yeah. Right," she grumbled. "I am so putting mascara on you today, bub."

  ♥♥♥

  Jaina's bad mood faded as she got into the trailer and plugged in her CD player. She dragged along a selection of CDs, and popped in the one she found the most soothing, a compilation CD she'd made once upon a time. Actually, it was just one of the songs she felt in need of hearing then.

  A calm settled over her and she smiled as she set out the makeup. Her toes kept time with the beat. She hadn't felt this at peace since the night in the club.

  Sarah, the makeup supervisor, came in then with a stack of paper, which Jaina saw was a selection of basic outlines for the makeup, just like she'd received yesterday. Jaina paused the music.

  "You've still got the designs from yesterday, right?"

  Jaina nodded. "Are these new ones?"

  "Somewhat. There are a few actors on set today who weren't yesterday. For the most part, I'll be leaving the makeup completely up to you, like I said before, but there are some specific things we'll be wanting today."

  Sarah handed the papers to Jaina. "We've got an evening look for Nora, and then a day wear and an evening for Erica."