If I thought my daughter’s eyes were big, they had nothing on my son’s. “You look nice,” he grumbled before walking off.
All the women and Bre started laughing, as I stood to take a peek at myself.
Gemma waved her hand up and down my body as I moved off the chair where I sat and made my way toward the full-length mirror that stood propped in the corner of my room. “Nice isn’t how I would describe this look you got going right now, but I understand your son not saying more.” She gave a small whistle. “Ruby was definitely spot on with the ‘smokin’ hot’ observation.”
I gazed into the mirror and my jaw almost hit the floor.
I’m me, but a whole different version of myself. A sexier version I didn’t know existed. To be honest, it was probably something I worked hard to avoid. I always thought if I was less noticeable then I’d be safer.
I scanned myself from head to toe. A waterfall of perfectly spiraled, black curls cascaded over my shoulders and soft, smokey eyes stared back at me. My makeup was more than I’d ever worn, but not so dramatic that it wasn’t me. It screamed sensual and sexyin a subtle, beautiful way.
The women knew what they were doing, but I should have known. Ruby was a model but they all could make it a profession if they wanted to. They were all so gorgeous, including those who were not there for the makeover.
I ran my palms down my sides and took in my outfit. It was a black, V-neck, open shoulder, pleated jumpsuit. It pulled in around my middle, showcasing my small waist but also the curve of my hips. My new necklace dropped down between my breasts, emphasizing—in a modest way— the dose of cleavage I possessed. I wasn’t big in that vicinity, but I wasn’t flat as a pancake either.
My gaze moved south down my legs, the jumpsuit gathering snug around my ankles and my feet donned a pair of strappy, silver, mid-size heels where violet-colored toes peeked out. Lake had painted them, saying they had to match my eyes.
I certainly had been pampered like a princess.
“Don’t you do it,” my sister said, coming up behind me and looking over my shoulder. “If you cry you’re gonna mess up your makeup.”
She was right. I was fighting the tears shimmering at the edge of my eyes waiting to drop. I was an emotional mess. These women were gems. I still couldn’t believe they wanted to be my friends.
Blowing out a breath, I squared my shoulders, willing the damn tears to disappear just as the doorbell rang. At the sound, I almost jumped right out of the jumpsuit I was wearing.
Oh shit, he’s here.
“I’ll get it,” Bre said as she turned to head toward the door.
Lennon raced down the hall, yelling at her. “You can’t just open the door, let me check the camera first!”
Lake rested her hand on my shoulder and met my gaze in the mirror. “You look beautiful. Get your bearings, don’t forget to breathe, and I will go check on the kids.” She smiled. “And your hot date.”
“I can’t do this,” I mumbled when she was gone.
The rest of the gals gathered around me. “Sure you can,” Capri said. “And some of us will be right there with you.”
Summer flashed me an encouraging smile. “We’ve all been in your shoes, some of us literally,” she told me, making us laugh since they happened to be hers I was wearing. “It can be scary and nerve-racking, but it’s so worth it, you’ll see.”
All the ladies murmured their agreements.
Then, Bre came back into the room.
“Mom, come on. Huntley is waiting and I want to see his face when he sees you. Besides, Lennon was lecturing him like you guys are not grown adults.”
The women laughed and I groaned. He may have been letting his guard down around Huntley, but he wasn’t going to lose all of his protectiveness.
I took a deep breath and made my feet move. As I started walking, Gemma whispered encouragingly, “Go get him, girl.”
A nervous giggle broke free as I walked down the hall. I made my way into the front room as Huntley was saying something to Lennon, while Lake stood watching. When they heard me, everyone turned and my date stopped speaking.
I stopped in my tracks as Huntley’s gaze took me in from top to bottom, then his eyes came back to mine. He just stared at me without saying a word. My stomach swam with doubt and I fidgeted nervously. Did he not like what he saw?
Lake smacked him in the arm.
The ladies came up behind me, laughing and I wondered what they thought was so funny. Then I saw Huntley blink and noticed the heat, along with desire, in his gaze.
“Told ya she was smokin’ hot,” I heard Ruby say from behind me.
