Page 51 of Degrees of Acceptance
“I know he will. Could we both have one of everything?” I ask the technician.
“Most certainly,” she says, leaving to package our makeup.
“Kate, you’ve lost your mind; that stuff must be a small fortune. I’ll pay for my own makeup,” she says.
“Oh, no you don’t. He said the gift was for both of us to enjoy, so dammit that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” I exclaim bound and determined not to let Jenny off the hook. “Hair next… we have to look hot for our dates tonight,” I say. The stylists set to work on our styles. Jenny settles on a minimal trim to her long chestnut-colored hair with some layers around her face. The technician suggests leaving my length, adding a few longer layers of movement, thinning out the bulk, and adding highlights that will catch the light and give it a coppery sheen. Kate and I are talking so much I lose track of time.
“What do you think?” the stylist asks, turning me around.
I stare at my hair in the mirror. “I absolutely love it. It seems so tame and glossy, so unlike the unruly hair I’m used to dealing with. How can I get it to look like this every day?” I ask.
“I’ll send you home with a little product which should be applied before drying it straight,” she says, running through a list of products and what each does. We leave the store laughing at the absurd amount of product we will now be applying to our hair each morning.
“It really was very thoughtful that he wanted us to have a girl’s day without worrying about price. I still feel sorry that I reacted like that. I think we need to find a lingerie store… the hot stuff,” I add.
“I know just the place,” she says, laughing. “Bella Bonita… it’s where you go when you want hot lingerie that most people can’t even think about affording,” she says.
“I’ll text Chase and see if we can ditch security and have a little privacy.”
Message:How do I lose the security for a short while?
Reply:You don’t. Why?
Message:Pout… It’s a surprise! For you!
Reply:Losing security is not an option. Text Jay. He can tell you what can be accommodated.
Message:Pouting….
Message: Jenny and I need privacy at the next store. How? Chase said text you…
Reply:Tell me where.
Message:Bella Bonita…
Reply:Yep, we’ll go in first. When you see us come out together, you can go in.
Message:You’re the best!!
Reply:Change of plans. Stay outside until I text you.
Message:Okay. What’s wrong?
Reply:There’s a back door that leads into the alley. Give us a minute to get someone posted.
Message:Thanks, Jay. Sorry for the bother.
Reply:No worries. You can go in now.
“I’m pretty sure you can do some damage in this store. It’s where all the elite shop,” Jenny says as we enter the boutique. It is filled with delicate lingerie of the finest fabric and styles, modeled on mannequins with exquisitely shaped bodies.
“Wow, I think that would be right up Chase’s alley,” I say, fingering the luxurious silk of the high cut thong bottoms and sheer lace top.
“And what about this,” she says, holding up a sheer red nightgown that leaves little to the imagination.
“I’m pretty sure it wasn’t designed to bend over in,” I say, holding its length against my frame.
“Funny. I’m pretty sure it was intended for just that purpose,” Jenny says, laughing while she holds up a couple more.
