Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)(62)

“Don’t worry,” he said and took her hand in his.

Good advice she couldn’t follow. Not only did she look as if she didn’t belong, they weren’t checking in with luggage. That couldn’t be good.

“I’m going to need a toothbrush,” she told him. “And shampoo. And something to wear tonight.”

“Not to worry. It’s all taken care of.”

They pulled up in front of the magnificent hotel. An elegantly dressed middle-aged woman was waiting and smiled at Larissa. “Ms. Owens?” she asked.

Larissa nodded.

“I’m Francine. If you’ll come with me, please?”

Larissa looked at Jack. “What are you doing?”

“You’re going to have to go with her to find out.” He leaned in and lightly kissed her. “You’ll like it. I promise.”

She wasn’t sure but decided to go along with whatever had been planned. She was in the Ritz-Carlton. It wasn’t as if anything bad could happen here.

Francine led her through the luxury hotel to the spa. Once she was there, she was checked in for an afternoon of relaxation and pampering, according to the very perky attendant. There would be a facial followed by a manicure and pedicure. After that she would get her hair done.

“It sounds wonderful,” Larissa said, grateful Jack hadn’t booked her for a massage. There were only a few people she trusted to do that.

She spent the next couple of hours relaxing in a treatment chair while her face was steamed and wrapped and smothered in various concoctions. Later she had a wonderful manicure and pedicure. By the time she was led into the salon, she was feeling relaxed and pampered.

José, a charming young man with a big smile, played with her hair for a few minutes before declaring the color “perfection” and the length “a disaster.”

“How much do you want to cut off?” she asked warily.

“Trust me,” he said.

“That so isn’t going to happen.”

“It’s hair. It will grow back.” He fingered the ends. “Maybe a few inches. It will still be long, but you’ll have layers and style.”

She’d never been much for style, she thought humorously. Taryn had enough for all her friends. Still, it would be nice to be glamorous for once.

“Okay, do what you think is best, but not short.”

José nodded. “You’ll see.”

He whipped up a mysterious brew and gave her a few highlights. When her hair was wet, he went to work with a razor. Strands went flying. When he was done with the cut, he used a big round brush to blow out her hair, then put in a few hot rollers. During the entire session, she wasn’t allowed to see herself in the mirror.

After José, a woman came over and applied makeup. Larissa listened carefully as she gave advice. The last time she’d tried to conquer the smoky eye, Sam had asked if she’d gotten in an accident.

When the makeup artist was done, José reappeared. He pulled out curlers, teased, finger-combed then applied enough hair spray to turn her into a plastic doll. At last he spun the chair so she was facing the mirror.

She almost didn’t recognize herself. She was still a blue-eyed blonde, but instead of looking like the fresh-faced girl next door, she’d been transformed into a sexy, elegant stranger.

Her hair tumbled in big soft curls that shifted every time she moved. José had given her long bangs that softened her features and made her eyes look huge. Or maybe it was the expertly applied makeup that made her eyes so large. She couldn’t decide. Either way, she loved it.

“Wow,” she said. “Just wow.”

José patted her shoulder. “You’re a swan now. A beautiful swan.”

Francine was waiting when she left the spa. “Ms. Owens, did you enjoy your time with us?”

“I did. It was magical.”

The older woman smiled. “I’m glad. Now just one more stop.”

They went into what looked like a conference room. Only instead of long tables and plenty of chairs, there was a rack of fancy dresses, boxes filled with shoes and a makeshift dressing room.

“I’ll be right outside,” Francine said. “Come out when you’re done.”

Larissa stared at all the clothes. They were in her size and from designers she’d only ever seen Taryn wear. She reached for one, then pulled back her hand. No way she could wear any of these.

“Oh, good. You’re here.”

A petite brunette walked into the room and smiled at her. “I’m Holly. I’ve brought cocktail attire, along with everything you’ll need to wear with it.” Holly was beautiful and wearing a simple red dress that looked custom-made for her. “Your guy said the trip was impulsive and you didn’t even have a toothbrush.” Holly winked. “He sounds like my kind of man. So what do you like?”

Larissa felt overwhelmed by too much input. “I’m not sure.”

“Reach for one and let’s see what it is.”

Larissa started to bite her lower lip and remembered the lipstick. So she settled on just feeling nervous. She reached for the rack of clothes and chose a simple black dress.

It had a scooped neck, front and back, with a fuller skirt that looked to be about knee length. The fabric was interesting, with a texture, but not too thick.