“Okay, tell me what you think,” prodded Julia as they stopped in front of the full length mirror hanging on the back of the closet door.
Tessa gasped and could only stare back at her reflection in disbelief. She had never, ever, looked like this before – or felt so beautiful – almost like Cinderella herself.
The dress fit her perfectly, the strapless top baring her shoulders and upper chest but stopping just short of revealing too much cleavage. Tessa offered up a silent thanks that she’d devoted extra time these last few weeks to toning her upper body, for her bare arms and shoulders looked lean and shapely. The sapphire blue shade was very close to her eye color, and flattered her ivory skin and golden blonde hair. The strappy silver shoes had a higher heel than she normally wore, and made her legs look even longer. She was glad Julia had suggested breaking the high heels in and walking around her apartment in them a few times so that she felt steady with the added height.
Julia had done a fabulous job on her makeup – making her eyes look twice as big with the silvery gray shadow, subtle application of liner and three coats of mascara. Her complexion glowed rosily with the light touch of foundation and blush, while her mouth appeared fuller and plumper with the shiny rose gloss.
Her thick golden hair had been curled into soft, loose waves, held back on one side with a rhinestone clip. It smelled like peaches or apricots, courtesy of the decadently rich shampoo and conditioner Julia had used on her, so much nicer than the cheap brands she bought at the drugstore.
Julia brushed a stray hair off of Tessa’s cheek. “You look perfect. Gorgeous, sexy, sophisticated.” Then she groaned. “I just wish I’d been able to arrange a better coat for you. No offense, but that raincoat of yours just doesn’t do it for me.”
The five-year-old beige belted raincoat was the only actual coat she owned, and was just going to have to do. It was cold outside tonight, the gusty winds making it feel even chillier, and any of her other jackets or sweaters wouldn’t do a thing to keep her warm. Julia would have gladly loaned her a coat, but the five inch difference in their heights took that option off the table.
“It’s fine,” assured Tessa. “No one will even see me in the coat – I’ll be checking it as soon as I walk into the hotel.”
Julia shook her head. “If you’d given me even a week’s notice, I could have had Aunt Maddy ship out something for you. Or I would have been happy to loan you the money.”
“No. Thank you, but no. I’ve stretched my budget way too thin as it is buying the dress and shoes. But I just needed – you know – to -”
“To feel pretty,” finished Julia. “I get it, honey. From what I can tell you hardly ever treat yourself to anything. You should make Ian give you a nice Christmas bonus. Or a raise.”
Tessa was glad Julia had whisked an extra bit of blusher on her cheeks, because it masked the real flush that heated her skin. Just the mention of the handsome, enigmatic Brit was enough to set all her nerve endings on edge. Ever since the incident last month in the fitness room, she’d been even more aware of him than usual, forcing herself not to react whenever he walked by. Fortunately, he’d been traveling on business quite a bit these past few weeks and hadn’t been around much.
She’d been shocked to discover that Jason Baldwin had been transferred out of the regional headquarters to manage the hotel down in Silicon Valley. And doubly shocked at the swiftness of Ian’s promised actions, for Jason had been gone the very next day after the incident. Speculation as to why he’d been transferred had run rampant around the office for several days, but Tessa had kept her mouth tightly shut about the real reason. There was no way she would discuss that with anyone, even Julia. She had merely continued to echo what everyone else in the office surmised – that there must have been a complaint filed against Jason and that management had wisely decided to remove him.
“We should head downstairs. Our cab will be arriving within the next five minutes,” reminded Julia.
Tessa nodded, forcing thoughts of Ian Gregson from her mind. It was going to be hard enough seeing him at the party tonight with another woman, especially when she’d be there without an escort of her own. Julia had tentatively offered to set her up with a friend of Nathan’s but Tessa had gently but adamantly refused.
“I appreciate the thought, but I’m just not ready to start dating yet,” she’d admitted.
Julia had nodded. “I get it. When Nathan was still with his ex, I knew I should force myself to get out there and meet other guys, but I just didn’t have the heart. Besides,” she had added with a wink, “the few remaining single friends Nathan has are just about the biggest guy sluts I’ve ever met. And, my God, can those guys drink! You’d probably never speak to me again if I set you up with one of them.”