Pretty Face by Sable Hunter Page B

else ever came to visit. There were no phone calls from men, no evidence she had a social life of any kind. Her solitude bothered him. Hunter enjoyed her company and…hell, he had Sage to think about.
    Sage was worthy of concentration. He didn’t know what the customs were for Mardi Gras, but he had a gift for her. A gift he’d brought from Colorado. He’d had it special made, a gold bracelet with two charms, a fleur and a heart. She’d mentioned once that she wanted a charm bracelet, and he hadn’t forgotten. Hunter intended to add to the charms as time went by. As he laid one oak floor board after another, almost mechanically, he let his dreams fly. If they hit it off, like he expected, Hunter intended to stay and find other work. Perhaps even restoring some grand old structure as was his dream. Jobs like that weren’t easy to come by. And he didn’t know what kind of home she had, maybe they could find something together, something resembling Cody’s cottage here on the river. Beyond that, he didn’t know what would happen. Mainly, he just wanted to hold her, make love to her, see if their reality could compare with the wonderful dreams they’d woven together.
    Across town…
    Cody was in a tizzy. She’d met Marnie and Trinity at the Southern Belle Plaza and rented a room—for two reasons. Sage needed a place to dress and Cody hoped the evening would end with Hunter in her bed.
    “You only had one class today?” Marnie asked as she hung the garment bags on the bathroom door.
    “Just one, thank goodness. Temperature and the Kinetic Theory.”
    Trinity held up her hand. “Don’t tell us more, you make my head hurt.”
    “Foot.” Cody laughed. “You’re both as smart as me in your own way.”
    Marnie rolled her eyes. “Let me see your nails.”
    Cody held her hands out. “I’m not used to this, but I want to look different than Cody from head to toe.”
    “Don’t talk about yourself like that, you make me nervous.” Marnie examined the French tips. “Very nice job.”
    “Okay, let’s see the gown I’m supposed to wear tonight.”
    “Hold your horses,” Trinity muttered as she unzipped the bag. “Close your eyes, this is going to blow your mind.”
    Obediently, Cody shut her eyes. It was hard trying to act nonchalantly when she was actually shaking inside. This was the most important day of her life and she was so afraid that she was going to blow it. How was she going to make Hunter fall in love with her? The real her? What she needed was some ‘sage’ advice. She smiled at her own pun. “When we get through here, I’m going to see Nana. I haven’t talked to her since Hunter arrived.”
    “Good idea,” Trinity said. “Open. Look.”
    At first glance, the dress seemed plain. Long, halter top, gold color. “Will it fit?” she asked, moving toward her friends, who had the most expectant and thrilled looks on their faces. As she drew near, the light caught the fabric and she could see a shimmer. “It’s gold lame,” Cody breathed in wonder.
    “Yes, this is a dress from a fairy tale. Try it on!” Marnie said, holding the dream dress aloft while Trinity helped Cody remove her clothes. “We got everything you’ll need. Sexy underwear and glass slippers. You’re going to look amazing.”
    “Did you get the contacts and the wig?” Cody didn’t have much choice other than to just turn herself over to them. Marnie and Trinity were both intent on making her look the best she could.
    Trinity answered as she applied eye shadow and eye liner, “Yes, the contacts are non-prescription, we don’t want you blind. Instead of a wig, we got real hair extensions. We’ll braid those in now and they’ll be anchored down tight enough to withstand a hurricane.”
    “Hunter’s going to want to touch my hair.” She knew him well enough to be certain of that fact. “Maybe once we get in the motel room, I can convince him to make love in the dark.”
    Marnie looked at Trinity, then at Cody.