Chapter Six #3
She fingered a strand of hair. “What kind of cut?”
Ula poured them each another cup of coffee. “Something layered. Your hair is fine, and layering will give it more volume. I can call the owner of the salon right now and see if he can squeeze you in.”
* * *
Two hours later, Cathy found herself covered by a purple vinyl cape and staring at herself in a wide mirror. Ernest, the well-dressed middle-aged man who owned the salon, tsked as he stood behind her.
“The seventies were over years ago,” he said. “Long straight hair disappeared with the decade. A cut.” His tone was sure. “Some color, maybe a little red with a touch of honey to warm up your features.”
His own hair was receding, but what was left had been grown out and pulled back into a ponytail. Earrings glittered from both ears.
He pressed his hands to her shoulders and leaned forward. “Ula told me about the fire and your surgery. You poor dear. We’re going to fix you right up. Would you like a latte while you’re waiting?”
“Um, sure.”
“I’ll take care of everything.” He smiled at her in the mirror. “Just trust me, honey.” He turned away. “Selena, a latte for Cathy, please, then we’re going to work some magic.”
Four hours later, Cathy found herself back in the same chair, staring at herself in the same mirror. While calling it magic was a stretch, Ernest had definitely made a difference.
“You like?” he asked with a wink.
Her hair hung in soft layers to her shoulders.
The cut had freed up a wave she hadn’t known had been there.
Honey red highlights brought out the green in her eyes and made her skin glow.
Selena or Marta or one of the women—they were all dressed in black, incredibly beautiful and impossible to tell apart—had applied makeup.
Not a lot, just enough to emphasize her cheekbones and her mouth.
She was a vastly improved image of her former self.
Cathy smiled back at him. “I like it very much.”
“Good. Then you’ll need to make an appointment for six weeks from now. Trim every six weeks, color every twelve. It takes time to be beautiful, but it’s worth it.”
Cathy followed him to the front of the salon. Once there, she made an appointment for the trim and didn’t even wince when they announced the total for her credit card. She’d never done anything like this before in her life. She’d never thought she was worth it.
As she turned to leave, she caught her reflection in the mirror by the entrance and had to smile.
She was standing straighter. Not so much because Ula had suggested it, but because she felt better about herself.
She knew she’d lost a few pounds, too. Not much, but enough that her clothes were loose.
She’d always worn them baggy, hoping the excess fabric would disguise her bulges.
Now her old jeans were practically falling off.
A new pair would be another nice treat. Nothing expensive.
Maybe they could stop at her favorite discount store on their way back to Stone’s house.
As Cathy approached the gleaming BMW waiting for her on the curb, she had to laugh. Here she was being driven around the city in an expensive car, and on her way back to the fabulous mansion where she was staying, she wanted to stop at a bargain store. What on earth was wrong with this picture?
* * *
Cathy hurried up the front stairs as quickly as her healing knee and her cane would allow her. She was beaming with excitement and happiness. The shopping trip had been so successful, she’d worn her new jeans out of the store. She kept glancing down in disbelief. They were a whole size smaller.
Granted, she wore baggy clothes and for the first time in years, she’d bought something that actually fit, but it was still a size smaller!
She’d splurged on a couple of new T-shirts, too, wanting to celebrate.
When she’d studied herself in the full-length mirror in the dressing room, she would have sworn she saw the first hint of muscle definition in her arms. Her stomach wasn’t as round, and her thighs looked a tiny bit more trim.
Maybe it was the lighting or her imagination.
She didn’t care. All she knew was that she’d actually been eating right and exercising for two whole weeks, which was about thirteen and a half days longer than she’d ever managed before.
She loved her new haircut, her makeup and most especially her new attitude.
For the first time in a long time, things were looking up.
She headed toward the kitchen to share her new look with Ula, then, on a whim, headed up the stairs. She wanted Stone to see her. After all, the last time he’d seen her in the light had been when she’d been in the hospital. Not exactly a flattering image.
As usual, the door to his office was closed. Cathy hesitated, fighting back sudden shyness. What would he think about her new haircut? Would he hate it? Would he think it was silly that she wanted to share her news with him? Maybe she should wait for tonight, or—
“Stop it!” she whispered fiercely. “Do it or don’t do it, but for once quit dithering.”
That decided, she knocked firmly, then pushed the door open.
“Stone, I’m sorry to bother you, but Ula suggested I get a haircut and I did and—”
Her gaze settled on him at the exact moment she realized what she’d done. In all the excitement of the day, she’d simply forgotten about the fact that she’d never seen him before. At least not in the light. And there was a very good reason for that.
He stood by the window. The drapes were pulled open, and harsh afternoon sunlight spilled into the room. He looked up, and his dark eyes bore into her. She told herself to apologize or run or something, but all she could do was stand there and stare at him.