Page 93 of The Broken Heart Playlist
“Out,” I instruct Tess. “I’ll do it.”
I park the car in one motion.
“Gideon’s going to find your parking skills extremely sexy,” says Tess, “or extremely intimidating.”
Sofia’s home reminds me of a gingerbread house and I think how much Lisset would love it. I wanted her to come with me this morning, secretly hoping her cuteness would draw some of the attention away from me, but Tess insisted this was my time to be pampered. My folks were happy to look after her. She’ll build jigsaw puzzles with my dad and bake cookies with my mom.
Sofia greets me warmly. She’s a gorgeously intimidating woman with smooth dark skin and glossy hair. We follow her deeper into the house to a living room, an open and bright space with an enormous skylight.
Kenzie is already there, kneeling on a thick rug while she sorts through a scary amount of beauty products laid out on a coffee table. Her fine strawberry-blonde hair is gathered in a high ponytail and her pretty, delicate features light up when she sees me. She stands and gives me a friendly hug. “Thank you for letting us do this.” She smells like rose petals.
“I should be thanking you and Sofia and Tess.” Oddly, I don’t mind Kenzie hugging me. For good reason she’s known as Brown Oak’s sweetheart.
I’m slightly overwhelmed that Tess’s closest friends have happily given up their Saturday for me. Sofia has even kicked her husband out of the house for the day.
They position me on an overstuffed couch and Kenzie brings me a hot, strong latte. My makeover is a multi-agency operation. Kenzie is the department of makeup, Sofia heads up hair, and Tess is in charge of nails. Clothing, I’m told, will be a collaborative effort.
I sip my coffee and eye the delectable box of Belgian chocolate on the table. My absolute weakness.
Tess follows my gaze and frowns. “Chocolate causes you to break out.”
“Is this true?” Sofia demands.
“Unfortunately, yes,” I reply.
She snaps her fingers. “Remove temptation, please.”
“On it.” Before I have a chance to blink, Kenzie has whipped away the chocolate box and replaced it with a fruit platter.
“We can’t have you breaking out on your date,” Sofia says.
“Any makeup preferences?” Kenzie asks me.
I shrug. “Not really. As long as I don’t look like I’m charging Gideon by the hour.”
Sofia lets out a deep, throaty laugh, like she’s knocked back a whiskey shot and her throat is ready for another one. “This confirms why I’ve always liked you, Kate.”
“Smoky eyes?” Tess suggests.
Sofia shakes her head. “Too harsh.”
“I’m thinking a dusty pink lipstick,” Kenzie muses.
Sofia rests a perfectly manicured nail on her bottom lip. “Look at her olive skin. Gorgeous.”
Kenzie nibbles her bottom lip. “She’ll only need the lightest blush on those high cheekbones.”
A sigh drifts out of Tess. “I’ve always loved Kate’s cheekbones.”
“I feel like a mannequin,” I grumble good-naturedly.
Kenzie smiles at me. “All you have to do is enjoy being pampered. There’s not much for us to do here.”
Tess studies me. “What about a nose ring?”
My head jerks. “What?”
Kenzie gently swats Tess’s arm. “Stop scaring your sister.”
