Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Are you sure this isn’t too tight?”
“Are you kidding me?” Audrey circled her. “Women would kill for a body like yours. If I had half the curves you do, maybe my husband wouldn’t have cheated on me.”
Hannah turned to her, sympathy swelling up and making her chest feel tight. “I’m so sorry.”
“Why?” Audrey shrugged. “It’s really a blessing in disguise. I was young and dumb, and getting married was a mistake. It took me a while to realize it, but we’re both better off.”
“Is he being a jerk about it?”
“A little bit, but my lawyer is a total shark and the proceedings are going really well. We’ve determined that Scott’s going to buy out my half of the house and I get to keep Peanut,” she said of her tiny Bichon Frise.
“We’re still negotiating what to do with the practice.
I’ve worked too hard to get where I am today to let him take that away, too. ”
“Is it uncomfortable working together?”
“Not really.” Audrey shook her head. “We’ve scheduled our appointments so we work opposite days. That way we don’t have to run into each other.”
“So there’s no chance of reconciliation?” Audrey and Scott had been together for years. Hannah couldn’t imagine just walking away from someone she’d once loved.
Audrey shook her head. “We both know where we stand. Of course, it helps that the bimbo is knocked up.”
Hannah whipped toward her. “You never told me that!”
Audrey lifted one shoulder. “I just found out about it myself. He’s planning to marry her as soon as the divorce is finalized.”
Audrey hid the hurt well, but Hannah could see the pain in the depths of her clear blue eyes. It was obvious that Scott’s infidelity had done a number on her. Hannah prayed she never had to go through anything like that.
With that thought in mind, Hannah turned back toward the mirror in the dressing room. Was this whole endeavor even worth it? Was dating worth all the effort if she might one day end up like Audrey and Scott?
Audrey met her gaze in the mirror and shot her a reassuring smile. “Thank God we’re older and smarter now. You won’t make the same mistake I did.”
Hannah forced a tight smile as she examined her reflection. The beige pencil skirt clung to her curves and ended just above her knees, and the white blouse accentuated her waist while still looking professional.
“Trust me, this is perfect,” Audrey continued. “We need to get you out of drab, dark colors. You need something neutral to show off your natural beauty.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “What natural beauty?”
Audrey lightly smacked her arm, and Hannah let out a little sound of protest as Audrey jerked her shoulders back. “Hey!”
“Look in the mirror,” Audrey ordered, ignoring her. Reluctantly, Hannah did as she was told. “Your hair is gorgeous. It’s never been dyed, and it contrasts beautifully with the cream top. The gray of your eyes really pops when you’re not in all black.”
Audrey stepped in front of her. “We’re not here to change who you are, only to enhance what you’ve been hiding for years. You have amazing features, Hannah. You just need to believe it.”
Hannah glanced in the mirror again. “You really think so?”
“Oh, honey.” Audrey’s eyes softened. “I wish you could see yourself the way the rest of us do.”
Hannah bit her lip as she studied the reflection in front of her.
It was so easy to pick apart her own features, to see only the bad instead of the good.
Now that Audrey mentioned it, her eyes did seem brighter, and her hair looked glossier and more radiant.
She nodded a little and made a silent promise to herself.
From now on, she would focus only on the positive things.
The next three hours were a whirlwind of activity as they picked out several dozen outfits and pairs of shoes.
A trip to the beauty store yielded a mass number of cosmetics that Hannah wasn’t sure she’d ever master.
She’d played with eyeshadows and lipsticks as a teen, but over the last decade she’d forgone most beauty products in lieu of keeping her face natural.
She didn’t see the point in getting all dolled up for no one.
Hannah stared at the mirror, examining the flawless finish the makeup artist had wrought.
Her skin glowed, and her cheeks looked flushed with the barest hint of pink.
The trace of eyeliner blended with the shimmering neutral shadow on her eyelids, giving them a sultry look.
She felt like a new and improved version of herself.
The thought of Luke seeing her like this made her heart race.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Hannah blushed at the compliment as Audrey looked her over. “I love it.”
A grin spread over Audrey’s face. “And so will he.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get home and let Peanut out. Would you mind if I took off?”
Hannah glanced at the bags surrounding her feet with a smile. “I think I have plenty to do this evening.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
Hannah waved her off. “No, really. I’ll be fine. I might go back to the department store anyway. I think I changed my mind about those shoes.”
Hannah had no idea where she’d ever wear them, but she hadn’t worn high heels in years. Maybe she’d get dressed up just for herself and head to the art gallery for something to do, try out her new look.
Audrey lifted her brows appraisingly. “It’s always good to have a pair of sexy heels when you need them.”
Hannah shook her head with a smile. Not that she was considering using them in that manner. Maybe. “You’re a bad influence.”
“One of us has to be.”
With one last hug, Audrey took off and Hannah gathered her bags.
She walked sedately through the mall, window shopping as she strode to the back of the department store and picked up the shoes.
She’d tried them on earlier for Audrey, deliberating over them for almost twenty minutes before putting them back on the shelf.
Hannah had never spent this much on shoes in her life, but it felt good to spoil herself after so many years of hiding behind layers of functional but decidedly unflattering suits and loafers.
Carrying the box to the counter, she went over the mental checklist Audrey and she had mapped out.
Clothes, shoes, makeup. She’d made an appointment tomorrow at a local salon to spruce up her haircut.
After paying for the shoes and thanking the cashier, she gathered her things and awkwardly turned around, bumping into the man behind her in the process.
“Oh, excuse me. I’m sorry.” Her gaze flicked up to the man’s face and widened in surprise as his own eyes shone with appreciation.
“Hannah. Wow, I didn’t recognize you.”
Steve Iverson’s gaze slid slowly down her body before returning to her face. She barely repressed a shiver of revulsion. “Hello, Mr. Iverson.”
“You can call me Steve.” One corner of his mouth lifted, and she smiled politely but didn’t correct herself.
“How have you been?”
“Better now.” His eyes roved over her again. “Can’t say I’ve ever seen this side of you before. I like it.”
Hannah pressed her lips into a firm line at his errant compliment. “Have you had a chance to speak with Dr. Chandler yet?”
Irritation flashed across his face but he quickly suppressed it. “I called you last week, you know. The receptionist wouldn’t put me through, but I wanted to apologize. I can be a bit hot-headed at times and I overreacted. I’d like to come back next week if you have an opening.”
“Well, thank you for the apology. I appreciate it. Unfortunately, I’m not accepting more patients at the moment,” she lied.
His face darkened. “Well, from what I heard, you just lost a patient. Doesn’t that open up a slot?”
Hannah stiffened and swallowed down the tears burning the back of her throat. How could the man be so callous and unfeeling? “No. Thank you for your interest, though. I’ll forward your information to Dr. Chandler and have him contact you.”
His hand shot out and grasped her elbow as she turned to leave. “I’m asking nicely, Hannah.”
Fear snaked down her spine, but she fought it off. She would not let him rattle her. She threw a pointed glance to where his hand was still curled around her arm. “Is that what you’re doing? Please let go.”
He released her but the fire in his eyes didn’t diminish. “I want to come back.”
“I’m afraid that can’t happen. Please excuse me.” With a polite nod, she turned to leave.
“See you soon, Hannah.” His tone was cold, and his words sent ice sliding through her veins. Refusing to acknowledge him, she hurried from the store casting surreptitious glances over her shoulder occasionally to make sure he wasn’t following.
The words were too similar to the ones she’d heard just a week and a half ago, and they still had the power to shake her to the core.
Rushing to her car, she tossed the bags in the back then climbed inside and locked the doors behind her.
Only several miles down the road was she finally able to take a deep breath.
She stretched her fingers before clenching them around the steering wheel again and tried to shrug the tension from her shoulders.
Hannah glanced in the rearview mirror as she turned into her allotment, watching for anything out of the ordinary. Seeing nothing out of place, she let out a shaky sigh. When would she stop looking for threats? Maybe the better question was, would she ever feel safe again?