“No. Glad that the bimbo left him high and dry.” Kitty began to smooth out the edge of another hot-pink nail.
“Oh?” Windy glanced at Riva.
“Our breakup was probably for the best anyway,” Kitty said lightly. “Of course, I didn’t think so at first. After all, Danny came from a wealthy family. And it was nice not having to go to work or worry about money. Fortunately, my divorce settlement was enough to buy my salon and set me up. And it allowed me to have some fun.” She checked her nail, then filed a bit more.
“How long ago did you and Danny break up?” Riva asked.
“It’s been close to ten years now. About the same as Laurel. She and I were comparing notes last night. We have a similar story.” She laughed. “Well, similar but different. Laurel’s divorce settlement was pathetic. I don’t know how she even got by.”
Riva bristled. “Laurel’s had a hard go of it.”
“You can tell just by looking at her.” Kitty nodded knowingly. “A drab woman like that who’s let herself go ... even when she comes into my salon, she always insists on just a haircut, nothing else. I keep trying to talk her into highlights and layering, but she just laughs. Poor thing.”
“Laurel isn’t one to fuss over her appearance,” Windy said, clearly defensive of her friend.
“Obviously.” Kitty set down the emery board. “Good grief, her face alone speaks volumes on that.”
“Her face?” Riva studied Kitty more closely. She’d been trying to calculate the woman’s age. Based on the information they’d just been given, Kitty wasn’t much younger, but her blond mane was thick and her flawless skin looked so youthful, it was hard to tell.
“Not only her face,” Kitty clarified, “her drab hair, pudgy figure, boring clothing. Well, it all tells me this is a woman who’s pretty much given up on life.”
“Oh, I don’t think that she’s given up on life,” Riva said. “Whatever happened to growing old gracefully?”
“I guess that’s okay if you want to look like Grandma and live alone with your cat. But it’s not for me.”
“I think you’re being a little hard on Laurel.” Riva worked to control her tone. “There’s a lot more to her than that.”
“I agree,” Windy chimed in. “And if anything, I’ve seen her making a comeback since moving into Riva’s house. She’s got a new interest in life, and it hasn’t hurt her to become friends with my brother. Amazing how the right man can bring a woman back to life.” She glanced at Riva. “Don’t you agree?”
“Yes, I think Laurel’s doing better than ever.”
“Someone should tell her face.” Kitty laughed.
Riva stifled the urge to punch this woman or change her name to Catty. “What would you suggest she do with her face?” she asked Kitty through gritted teeth.
“Hmm. Good question. If she came into my salon and gave me creative freedom, I’d encourage her to get a good facial with an aesthetician, for starters. See if there’s anything she can do about those deep wrinkles. Maybe some Botox. Although the best resort is plastic surgery. It’s spendy, but with the right surgeon, well worth it.” She patted a cheek. “I’ve had everything done.” She pushed her already full lips into a pout. “Which is one reason I ran through my divorce settlement and found myself hard up for cash.”
“What about alimony?” Riva asked.
“That sort of ended with my second marriage. What a piece of work that guy was.”
“And that marriage is over too?” Windy’s brow creased.
“It was over before it began.” She looked at Riva. “I told you I have bad luck with men.”
“Lydia inPride and Prejudice,” Riva whispered to Windy.
Windy nodded. “Are you involved with anyone now?” she asked Kitty.
“Not to speak of. Oh, Lance still comes around.” Kitty turned to Riva. “Total deadbeat, thinks he can bully money out of me.”
“Do you have any children?” Windy asked.
“Thank God, no. Wouldn’t that be a disaster?” She stood, patting her trim waistline. “Otherwise I’d probably have a pouch. I’ve seen other women my age who were moms. Everything just sags.” She fluffed her hair.
“Well, I wouldn’t trade my children for no sags,” Windy declared.
“My children are worth it too.” Riva felt the need to count to ten before she decked her new housemate, wondering how hard it would be to break the rental contract.
