Page 20 of Stout Bear

Laney nodded apprehensively. “I’ve never tried anything like that.”

Her mind drifted to the upcoming festival and how she hoped to impress Max. The last time she’d seen him, she’d run away. He’d texted her several times, but she’d given him curt replies, unsure what to say after her impulsive behavior.

Liv pulled a long-sleeved mini dress off the rack and held it up to Laney. It was deep blue with a subtle V-neck. “This is the one for opening night,” Liv said with a wink.

“Really? Won’t this make me look even shorter?”

“No way. You need to show off those legs.”

Laney reluctantly took the dress and stepped into the changing room. She carefully removed her street clothes and pulled on the dress, tying the wrap at the waist. She stepped out to show Liv, feeling self-conscious and adjusting the dress’s neckline.

Liv gasped, clapping her hands. “Oh my gosh, you look stunning! Max will drop dead.”

Laney blushed. “You really think it’s not... too much?”

She’d never seen herself so dressed up, unsure whether she was betraying her usual understated style. Despite her unease, a thrill ran through her at how confident she looked. The woman in the mirror appeared sophisticated and attractive—nothing like the awkward scientist who had fled from Max’s embrace.

“It’s perfect,” Liv insisted. “Not too formal for the festival, but special enough to make an impression. We just need to find you the right shoes. How about these ankle boots? This stacked heel will give you a little extra height.”

“Okay…” Laney said, unsure if she could pull any of this off.

“Great! Now let’s find you some other pieces to update your wardrobe.”

Liv grabbed more outfits for Laney to try on. They ranged from date night dresses, to business casual, to activewear. Laney reluctantly agreed, letting Liv add them to the growing pile. The boutique’s cashier rang everything up while Liv hummed with satisfaction.

“I guess I do need more variety for work and weekends,” Laney said.

Liv nodded firmly. “Exactly. You’ll thank me later.”

Laney felt a pang of anxiety for spending so much money on clothes. But her job at the Bright Institute was paying her quite well. She’d never focused on clothing before. If she was going to be brave enough to face Max at the festival, she needed all the confidence she could get.

Liv and Laney drove across town to Mountain Muse Salon. They were greeted by a pair of stylists who gushed over Liv’s “client of the day,” ushering Laney into a swivel chair for a full makeover.

The salon smelled of floral shampoo and hair products, with large mirrors reflecting bright overhead lighting. Stations lined with brushes, bottles, and makeup palettes gave the space a lively, professional vibe.

One stylist said, “We’ll start with a trim and some face-framing layers, then talk about color if you’re ready.”

Liv winked at Laney. “You’re going to love this. Trust me.”

She was nervous, but Liv’s presence reassured her. She’d never had a group of people invest in making her look good. Part of her worried she was hiding her real self, but another part thrilled at the attention and care.

The stylist ran her fingers through Laney’s curly hair. “Your natural texture is gorgeous. We just need to shape it to enhance your face.”

Laney sat motionless as the stylist worked, watching inches of hair fall to the floor. Her fox stirred anxiously, unused to such dramatic changes. She breathed slowly, reminding herself that this was what she wanted—a fresh start, a confident appearance to match the mate of someone like Max.

“Have you always been a redhead?” the stylist asked, examining Laney’s natural color.

“Yes, it’s from my father’s side,” Laney said, thinking of her fox shifter heritage.

“It’s beautiful. I’m going to enhance it with some highlights—nothing dramatic, just to bring out the natural dimension.”

An hour later, another stylist laid out makeup shades, demonstrating how they complemented Laney’s complexion. Laney carefully copied the stylist’s application techniques, peering at her reflection in the mirror.

A rainbow of eyeshadow palettes covered the counter. Lipsticks in soft pinks and bold reds awaited her choice. Laney’s newlytrimmed hair, shining from a fresh blowout, framed her face more flatteringly than she’d ever seen.

The makeup artist said, “A subtle, smoky eye will be gorgeous with your new dress. And these neutral lip colors will fit any occasion.”

Laney murmured, “I’ve never worn anything like this before. It’s so... beautiful.”

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