Jennifer was not the same cousin right now that she’d known for years.
Then again, that was exactly how Jennifer got her way. Ashley refused to have the word “sucker” written on her face for her family to see for the rest of her life so she didn’t jump for joy and bounce. She quietly said, “Okay, thanks.”
If Jennifer followed through, she’d give her a genuine hug.
Neither one of them said anything else and she dozed as the man worked with her hair.
The stylist tapped her on her shoulder and she opened her eyes.
The golden blonde dye made her brown eyes pop. A thrill rushed through her.
She almost looked like her cousin, in a small way. Wow. She never wanted tostar in a movie, but at least now she… she was pretty.
Everything about her skin felt lighter, her skin supple and fresh.
Jennifer, dark hair silky, hugged her from behind. “Well, what do you think about being blonde?”
Maybe now she fit in with all those pictures in Matt’s house. She pursed her lips. “I think I like it.”
Jennifer pinched her a little. “Think? You lookgreat.”
Blood rushed through her and she laughed aloud. “With my darker shading I thought it might look really fake, but it matches. I don’t even recognize me. This girl in the mirror, she’s gorgeous.”
Jennifer winked and handed over her credit card to the stylist. “For the price we’re paying, you better look fabulous.”
“Fair enough.” Ashley didn’t bother to argue and letJennifer pay.
Maybe she should? Jennifer had paid off her school loans and now, Ashley had millions in the bank, thanks to her wily cousin. Maybe Jennifer would finally admit she was family now that Ashley didn’t look like… a former maid.
“I can get it, Jennifer.”
“My treat.” The stylist brought Jennifer a receipt and she laughed as she said, “I wish you could videotape Matt’sreaction when he sees you.”
Right. Matthew Morgan. Maybe he’d enjoy her new appearance. Maybe he’d toss her out because she wasn’t plain. She’d go right out and get it back to brown if he hated it. She wrung her hands as she thought about Matt and said, “I’m sure he’ll think it’s nothing.”
Jennifer snapped her fingers and a stylist brought a few bags in, handing them to her and specificallytaking out one bag as she said, “Yeah right. I bought this blue dress which will be perfect on you.”
Never in a million years would Ashley have thought Jennifer might turn into some fairy godmother.
For prom, Jennifer hadn’t even lent her a discarded dress she’d had in her closet.
But that was years ago. Ashley shook her head and said, “He won’t even be home to see it.”
“Wear it until he does.” Jennifer pointed her toward the back room.
This was the end of the makeover. She had hair and makeup already. She left the other bags and headed into the small room, putting on the soft fabric.
The dress clung to her curves.
She’d never buy something like this on her own.
Nervous, she stepped out of the dressing room to show Jennifer andher cousin gave her a thumbs-up. Strange. Ashley glanced down as she said, “I don’t know-”
“Promise me you will keep that on until he sees you in it,” Jennifer interrupted.
Ashley met her challenging gaze. Maybe her cousin had meant it when she’d said she wanted to make things up to Ashley. Anything was possible and honestly the dress fit like a glove. She lifted her chin and said,“Okay.”
Jennifer hugged her.
