Page 76 of Dream (Fighting Fate)

“Oh, trust me,” she said. “It’s really not. I’d tell you if it was. Just make sure you cross your legs if you sit, and if you have to bend down, bend at the knees.” She smothered a giggle at my horrified expression. “Don’t think, Liv. I promise I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”

I turned and looked at myself in the mirror. Again, she was right. What the hell did I care anyway? I wasn’t trying to make a statement. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone or get anyone’s attention. And I wasn’t seeking anyone’s approval. If it felt nice to wear, then why shouldn’t I?

Slipping on the heels, I raised each foot up on a chair in turn, and fastened the clasp into place, then I turned around to face Sam with my arms out by my sides for show.

She scrunched her nose up and shrugged. “Meh, it’ll do.”

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nbsp; Reaching for the nearest cushion, I threw it at her in mock indignation.

Ducking my horrid throw, she laughed and started working on her makeup. “Walk around and make sure you’re not going to trip over before we go any further. Those are some serious heels for someone who hasn’t worn any before.”

“Tell me about it.” I did as I was told, striding from one side of the room to the other. They actually weren’t too bad. The inner soles were surprisingly soft and comfortable, making them quite easy to walk in without feeling like I had a stick up my bottom.

“You’re a natural,” Sam said, gazing at me through her mascara strokes. “Okay, sit your butt in the chair so I can do something about your ugly.”

For the next twenty minutes, I sat perfectly still, opening and closing my eyes and mouth when directed, fighting the urge to argue with her about how much she seemed to be doing. It took more control than I thought possible to stop myself from checking in the mirror every couple of minutes.

Just when I thought I couldn’t take any more, she took a step back. “Okay, I’m done.” I blinked and went to go straight to the mirror. “Wait! What are you going to do with your hair?”

I frowned. It was currently in a bun. As it had been all day. “Um . . . nothing. I was just going to wear it down.”

“Okay. Hang on, then. Take it out.”

As I took out the elastic tie, I watched her rummage in her bag, emerging with a tube of something.

She squirted a little into her palm and rubbed her hands together, looking over my hair. “Just run your fingers through it for me.”

I did as she asked, and then she started fluffing it with her hands, blending the cream or whatever it was through the strands. When she was done, she stood back and assessed me, her head cocked to the side. “Does it look okay?” I asked, nerves tingling.

Taking a step back, she gestured to the mirror. “Take a look.”

Stepping forward, I turned and caught my first look at the finished product. “Whoa.”

The dress and shoes, as I already knew, were beautiful. My hair wasn’t too much different to how I wore it when I could be bothered to do something nice to it. My face, though. That was different. Way different. She’d mostly done what I’d asked her to do, and kept it pretty simple. My cheekbones and lips were only colored with the softest of pinky peaches. It was my eyes that I was having a hard time accepting. And maybe my eyebrows, because I could actually see them now. I wasn’t anywhere near up to date with makeup terms, but I was pretty sure this was what people called smoky eyes.

“Whoa,” I said again.

“You don’t like it,” Sam said, sounding defeated.

“I do,” I said, my voice only a little unsure. “It looks nice. I’m just not used to seeing myself looking this way.” I didn’t say it, but I wasn’t sure I was comfortable going out looking this way.

A knock sounded on the door, and Aunt Jenny’s muffled voice came through the gap. “How does the dress fit?”

Sam looked at me. “If your aunt doesn’t like it, I’ll change it. All right?”

I drew in a deep breath. “All right.”

I held my breath as Sam opened the door and stood to the side to let her in. As soon as her gaze found me, her mouth fell open. “Holy shit, Liv. You look amazing. Damn.”

I exhaled. “It’s not too much? The eyes, I mean?”

She shook her head, looking a little dazed. “Hell, no.”

Sam clapped, but when I glared at her, she smothered her grin with her hand.

Aunt Jenny shook her head again. “You both look beautiful.”

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