Chapter 13
Chapter 13
P aley stood uncertainly on the street. She had been wavering all day, not sure if she could go through with her plan. Tonight was her first time playing Piedmont’s date, and she was more nervous about it than she wanted to admit. She didn’t want to let him down, to embarrass him in any way. It was that thought that propelled her feet forward.
She opened the door and expected to inhale the familiar chemical smell of salons. Instead she was greeted with the fresh scent of expensive essential oils, along with a well-manicured woman who smiled probingly.
“May I help you?”
“I’d like to speak with Amelia please,” Paley said, clearing her throat when her voice came out croaky and uncertain.
The woman’s smile dimmed slightly. “I’m so sorry, but Amelia’s with a client. May I give her a message?”
“Yes, please. Tell her it’s about Piedmont. I’ll wait.” Paley clasped her arms behind her back and stood still like a soldier at ease. The receptionist left and returned a minute later, followed by a stunningly beautiful blond woman who made Paley feel dowdy and lackluster in comparison. No wonder Piedmont couldn’t get over her. She was gorgeous.
“May I help you?” Amelia asked, her beautiful face tinged with equal parts curiosity and confusion.
Paley glanced at the receptionist, still standing eagerly by as if also waiting to hear why Paley was there. “Could we,” Paley motioned with her head to the far side of the waiting area. It was only a few feet, but between the noise of the salon and the subtle background music, it would be enough to afford them privacy.
“Is Piedmont okay?” Amelia asked.
“Sort of. It’s kind of a long story, I’ll make it as short as possible. I’m his new housekeeper. He’s asked me to accompany him to some upcoming functions because he doesn’t want to have to find a date and he doesn’t want to have to go alone.”
Amelia’s face pinched with equal parts pain and guilt. “Okay. Not to be rude, but what does this have to do with me?”
“Look at me.” Paley let her arms gape, revealing her too-big faded sweatshirt and well-worn jeans. “Do I look like the kind of woman who should be on Piedmont’s arm at one of these events?”
Amelia didn’t answer, but her face said it all.
“I care about Piedmont,” Paley continued. “He’s been kind to me when I really needed some kindness. You know what he’s like; he’s a good man. I want to represent well, to make a good showing for him so he doesn’t suffer any embarrassment or shame, but I’m clueless to know how to do that. You have insider information, both as his former girlfriend and a stylist. So I came here to blatantly play on any guilt you might have over your breakup with my boss. I know it’s unethical to do that, but I’m desperate. Think less harshly of me if you know my desperation is for Piedmont’s benefit. I may not get everything about his world, but I get that appearances are important. Right now I don’t fit at all, but I’m asking you to help me do that. For Piedmont.”
Amelia glanced at her watch. “It’s going to be tight, but I think I can squeeze you in. What are you wearing?”
“Acacia set me up with a personal shopper. Tonight’s gown is spaghetti strap and emerald green.”
Amelia tipped her head, apparently trying to envision the gown. “I need to see what your body looks like beneath the behemoth sweatshirt.” She took Paley’s hand, dragged her to a back room, and ordered her to take off her shirt.
Paley did so nervously, wondering if perhaps it was some kind of trap or prank. The only thing she knew about Amelia was that Piedmont loved her, but what if she was actually mean or a bad person? She stood shivering in her bra and underwear while Amelia walked around her making her inspection. When she was done with that, she tipped Paley’s face back and forth in her hand, leaning close to zero in on her face.
“Okay, got it. Put your clothes back on and follow me.”
Paley did so without comment. Amelia handed her off to someone who washed her hair, set her in a chair, and massaged her hands. The hand massage worked to ease her anxiety so by the time Amelia returned to her, she was shockingly mellow.
“How’s Piedmont doing?” Amelia asked, beginning to brush color onto Paley’s hair.
“He’s…okay,” Paley said.
Amelia’s face pinched again. “I didn’t mean to hurt him, and I feel terribly about it. My one big regret in life. Piedmont’s a good man, but…” she trailed off helplessly.
A picture sat on her station, of her and a man so ridiculously handsome and virile that Paley understood. Even Piedmont, wunderkind, handsome, dashing genius he was, paled in comparison. “That your husband?” Paley asked.
Amelia nodded. “We were friends, and I didn’t realize I was in love with him until everything happened. In Africa, it felt worlds away, was worlds away. I forgot myself, forgot everything but him. That’s no excuse for hurting someone the way I hurt Piedmont, but it’s the best I have to offer. Piedmont and I had a nice relationship, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the way things are with Ethan. My only hope is someday Piedmont finds the same and it’s that way for him.” Her gaze fell speculatively on Paley.
“It won’t be me,” Paley assured her. “We’ve become sort of friends, I guess, but I’m having issues of my own. We’re more like a lonely hearts club.”
“What are your issues?” Amelia asked.
Paley began to wonder if there was some sort of magic about being in a salon chair because, despite her best intentions, she began spilling her heart to Amelia, about Aaron’s mistreatment and betrayal, including the cake he’d ordered announcing their divorce. Amelia clucked sympathetically and frowned, and it was soothing somehow to talk to someone who was on her side.
“So that’s where Piedmont entered the picture. I live in the third story maid’s quarters now, and we sort of hang out and keep each other company, to assuage our combined misery.” She glanced at Amelia. “Sorry. I’m not actually trying to make you feel guilty.”
“Aren’t you?” Amelia asked with a wry smile.
“Okay, maybe I disliked and blamed you before I met you, but I can see you’re a nice person who didn’t mean to hurt Piedmont. But I also see the other side of it. Piedmont’s hurt, and that’s hard.”
“Especially because you’re facing your own hurt and betrayal. It’s okay, go ahead and be on Piedmont’s side. I’m the one doing okay here. He needs you.”
“You’re irritatingly nice and rational,” Paley commented. They shared a smile in the mirror.
After putting some artful highlights and lowlights in her dishwater blond hair, Amelia also did Paley’s makeup. Paley had thought she would look a little more put together. She hadn’t expected to look like an entirely different person. She stared at herself, dumbstruck, Amelia crossing her arms behind her with what could be considered a smug expression.
“Didn’t think you had it in you, did you?” Amelia asked.
Paley shook her head, speechless.
“Everyone does, it needs a little coaxing to come out sometimes,” Amelia said. She gave her a brief lesson on the makeup and referred her to her YouTube tutorials for further help. Paley reached for her purse.
“I intended to pay you, in case I didn’t make that clear from the beginning. I wasn’t asking for a freebie, only for you to fit me in. I know you’re backlogged.”
“No. This one’s on the house, for Piedmont.”
“He’ll never know I was here,” Paley said.
“But he’ll get to enjoy my work, and that will bring me untold satisfaction and release,” Amelia said.
“He doesn’t think of me that way,” Paley assured her.
Amelia remained silent, not wanting to interfere and mess anything up. But she knew Piedmont, and she had her suspicions. “Do me a favor and send me a picture of the final result with the dress.”
“Okay,” Paley said. She dithered uncertainly. “Would it be weird if I hugged you?”
“Yes,” Amelia said, but opened her arms and gave Paley a tight hug anyway. “Take care of him. He’s a good man.”
“I know, and I’ll do my best.”
Paley drove home, trying hard not to dart looks at herself in the mirror. She’d had her hair and makeup done both for prom and for her wedding, but she had never looked this good. Both of those times, the salons had made her up, had made her look like someone else. This time she could still see herself in the makeover, but it was in a way she had never seen herself before, as if all the natural beauty she’d been hiding had been unleashed. Even better, she thought she could attain the look on her own. Suddenly she wanted to ditch Piedmont’s event and go shopping. Amelia had told her to burn the oversized hoodies, suggesting instead a few form fitting pieces in colors designed to enhance her features. She couldn’t wait to follow through and buy them. Tomorrow, she promised herself. She hadn’t shopped in forever, and she was long overdue for a wardrobe refresh. Thanks to Piedmont’s blatant overpayment, she had plenty of money on hand to do that now.
Though she had been putting on a good front for Piedmont, she had been rather dreading the coming outing, sure she wouldn’t fit in, would embarrass him, wouldn’t be able to pull off what she needed to do. She still might mess it up but, thanks to Amelia, she at least now looked the part. No one looking at her tonight would guess she was the maid, would realize how thoroughly she didn’t belong. That was all she wanted, for Piedmont not to be embarrassed by her.