Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
In the end, it was worth it. My eyes looked defined and sexy. I sent Hale a picture right away and he instantly wrote back that he missed me. He was getting a lot of silly texts since I’d been incommunicado with Elle which was starting to unearth his playful side as well.
“I’m taking you to dinner tonight,” I told Phina as we left the salon. “My treat.”
She smiled. “Aw, Rayne, that’s sweet. But you don’t have to. I’m happy to help you with this stuff.”
“I want to. After everything you’ve done for me with the wedding and now this, it’s the least I can do to say thank you.”
Her smile grew. “No thanks necessary. That’s what sisters are for. And Hale will get my invoice at the end of the month, so let’s not assume I’m completely selfless, though I do like doing these things with you.”
It was going to be a very expensive quarter for Hale. I smiled. “I enjoy hanging out with you too.”
I took Phina to a little hole in the wall pub I’d passed not far from Times Square. We sat on the second floor overlooking the street and drank from big mugs of beer while a game played in the background. It was March madness so no matter where you looked a hot basketball player was on a screen.
“I told Josette to schedule your countdown appointments. You want to make sure you’re buffed and shined for the big day, but you also want to give your body time to heal?”
I frowned. “Heal?”
“Adapt,” she amended, but it was too late. I already heard the word heal and anticipated pain.
“What kind of appointments?”
She pulled out her phone and read from a list. “You need a gloss treatment on your hair and the split ends trimmed. Your brows are desperately in need of some manicuring. You’ll want to have a facial, but nothing too intense and nothing within two weeks of the wedding. You should really consider reducing your sodium intake as well. Maybe even cut out alcohol during those last weeks.”
“That’s not happening.” I’d already given up sex. There was only so much a girl could go without.
“You also want to make sure you’re getting plenty of beauty sleep.”
“Ha! My body does not get tired under stress. Insomnia is real, my friend.” I sipped my drink before anyone thought to take it away.
Cut out alcohol. Yeah right.
People got nuts about weddings. Didn’t they know alcohol and marriage had a strong relationship for a reason?
“Then you should consider getting a lymphatic massage to help reduce any stress. It will also relieve some of your puffiness.”
My fingers brushed under my eyes. “Am I puffy?”
“We’re all puffy. Are you planning on getting a spray tan for the wedding? If so, you should do a test run. You’ll need to account for a few days to get the full effect. The color needs time to develop and you’ll want to wash off any extra before you put on your dress. We can use a test tan to judge how your body reacts and what day would be the best day for a wedding tan. I find day three looks the most natural.”
My mind was on overload. “Do I look pale? I live in Florida.”
“It’s not about looking like you just returned from a holiday. Spray tans give you that extra glow. Plus, it’ll even out your pigment and cover any blemishes or tan lines left over from summer. Have you scheduled an appointment with your PA?”
I cocked my head. As a personal assistant myself, I didn’t think I qualified to need my own. Especially when I already had half a dozen wedding handlers. I had to be misunderstanding the meaning of PA.
“Remind me, what’s a PA?”
“Your physician’s assistant.”
“You lost me. Do I need a physical for my marriage license?”
She laughed. “No, silly. For Botox.”
I gasped. “I do not need Botox!”
She reached across the table and patted my hand. “Honey, we all need it eventually.”
I studied her perfect face. “Have you…?”
“Yup. Started when I turned twenty-seven. Here, here, here, and here.” She pointed to various places about her flawless face. “I also get filler in my lips, but you don’t need that. Your lips are already full.”
I was shocked. “I just thought you naturally looked like that.”
“Well, I do. The injections just keep things from creasing or sagging.”
My fingers blindly dragged across my features as if I were reading a secret message in braille. “Do you think I need—”
“Yes.”
“You could have at least pretended to think it over.”
“Six months ago, I would have. But these things need time to heal and we don’t have much time left. I’m texting Josette and telling her to make you an appointment ASAP.”
There went my self-esteem. I guzzled the rest of my beer.
That night, when I returned to the penthouse, Percy was waiting to see if I needed anything else. Originally it felt strange having someone wait on me, but my mojo dojo casa butler appeared truly happy to fulfill any request when it came to my comfort or needs.