Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 109777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“Do you like these three?”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
Alice glanced at what remained on the bed. “Anything I missed that you like? Even if you’re not crazy about the color or the fabric, anything that’s really comfortable or you think makes you look good?”
That was an easy answer. I shook my head. “No. To be honest, I haven’t really put much thought into my clothes. I don’t have that much to work with,” I said, making a vague gesture at my curveless body and neutral coloring.
“There wasn’t really anyone to show off for, and my uncle was so—” I searched for a nice way to describe his constant criticisms. Nothing was ever good enough for Uncle Edgar. Definitely not me.
Alice’s eyes warmed with sympathy. “Get that out of your head. You have plenty to work with. I’d kill for your height, for one. A good bra can give you curves, but there aren’t any heels made that can make me as tall as you are.”
“Then maybe I need a new bra,” I mused, thinking about what she’d said. I hadn’t done a lot of lingerie shopping. I hadn’t done a lot of shopping at all.
Alice gave me another slow, assessing scan, this one focused above my shoulders. “You have great skin. Clear, creamy, but not washed out. I love the freckles. Some women try to hide their freckles, but yours are perfect. Just enough for character but not so much that they overwhelm you. And your hair is great. Thick, shiny, I bet it holds a curl.”
“I’ve never tried to curl it. I mostly just throw it in a bun or a ponytail.”
Alice walked closer and did a turn around me, reaching out to sift her fingers through my freshly dried strands.
“Would you be open to a cut? Some help with makeup? My stylist sometimes takes last-minute appointments if I beg and bribe her. She’s saving up for her wedding right now. Totally susceptible to bribes.”
I reached a hand up to finger my hair, eyeing Alice’s short bob, the line of bangs across her forehead. Her hair was perfect for her face and her 50’s style, but it was not subtle.
I was open to a wardrobe change, even a haircut, and I could use some help with makeup, but I was never going to be bold. Subtle was my thing. I just wanted to find a way to be subtle without being bland.
Alice caught the look on my face and laughed. “Nothing extreme, I promise. Your hair is gorgeous.”
“It’s brown.”
Alice made a dismissive pff-fff and spread my hair across my shoulders, smoothing it out. “Calling it brown misses the point. You’ve got a lot in here. Caramel, some threads of blonde, some red undertones. The shine is great, but it’s so heavy. You need layers. Maybe even some highlights. Can I call Danielle? I promise I won’t rope you into anything you won’t like later. I swear. Understated elegance all the way. You just need a little polish, that’s all.”
Understated elegance. I liked the way that sounded. Like Hope, just more dressed up. What it didn’t sound was bland.
“I’m in your hands,” I said, only a little nervous.
“Perfect. Grab either the jeans and sweater or the red dress and get dressed while I make some calls. Do you mind if I invite Lily? She’s Knox’s wife. Evers’ wife, Summer, is out of town. She travels a lot for work. Too bad because she loves to shop almost as much as I do. Lily isn’t a competitive shopper but she’s the best for moral support.”
“Sounds great,” I said, a little breathless.
“Good deal. You scoot, get dressed, and I’ll take care of everything.”
Alice was as good as her word. She was a miracle worker. I heard her bright voice through the door, and by the time I’d thrown on the red dress, swiped mascara over my lashes, and brushed my teeth, she had everything arranged.
“You’re in luck. Danielle was happy to work you in for a donation to her wedding fund.” Alice gave me a saucy wink. “We have just enough time to pick Lily up and get some breakfast. Ready?”
I thought I was ready. I was wrong.
Alice was a whirlwind. In a lot of ways, the opposite of Lily, who was sweet and quiet with a gentle smile that eased my nerves. When we pulled up in front of a fairytale cottage not far from the Sinclair Security building, Lily ran out clutching her purse, her cloud of dark curls flying behind her. She jumped into the car with a laugh.
“I can’t believe we stuck the guys with both kids for the day. Don’t they have a ton of work to do on Griffen’s house?”
“It’s more a castle than a house, and there are four of them, plus they pulled in Lucas and Riley. They can handle it,” Alice said. “Lily, this is Griffen’s Hope.”