Page 12 of Something Blue

She inhaled sharply as her eyes adjusted to the room’s bright lights. Gone was the mask of a shabby doctor’s office. Instead, a wide-open warehouse stretched in front of them. Stations were set up around the large room with people milling between them, yelling orders and lugging around hair, nail, and body-hair torture devices with them.

Sadie frowned. “This is a little much just for me.”

“Oh, they’re not all for you. A casino has open auditions for three dozen roles in a recently announced opera. You happen to be a favored sideshow.”

“That makes me feel better,” she mumbled with a little less confidence. Whatever Andy did for work, he must have connections.

As they headed to the back corner, they passed women and men wincing and holding the sides of their table as their legs, arms, and bikini areas were waxed.

“An extreme haircut will show the judges boldness and strength,” a hairdresser said to a girl with beautiful brown hair that touched her hips as she shook her head to disagree.

“Not sure if I want to be here right now,” she whispered to Tanner, linking her arm through his. He laughed and patted her hand, but he didn’t stop or turn around.

Tanner motioned to a salon chair in the corner, and attendants swarmed toward her. They all began talking at once.

“Good hair. I love the curls.”

“No way; let’s straighten it.”

“Oh, and let’s add some color. Some lighter highlights, I think.”

“Waxing, for sure.”

“A clear coat for her fingernails. Maybe red or bright pink for the toes.”

Sadie’s head spun as voices thundered around her. Holy moly, what had she signed up for? Before she could protest, they dragged her into a chair. For a solid ten minutes, she fought them, objecting to almost every suggestion, but it was no use. In the end, Tanner’s suggestions were priority, and they began their work.

7

Andy

Andy pulled up to the Makeover Spot parking lot and killed the engine. He tried to picture how Sadie would look, but he could only see her with curly hair and in an overall jean skirt and sandals. She had a simple beauty, but his team would work wonders even his dad would be impressed by. Since it was the same timeslot his casino used to ready anyone performing in his hotel, the place was bound to be buzzing with people.

Dragging the suitcase of clothes he’d bought Sadie for the vacation, he opened the warehouse door and left it at the back of the room. Then he texted a reminder to Tanner to bring the suitcase at the right time.

Hopefully, she wasn’t too annoyed with him for the makeover. Tanner assured him she’d signed the contract, and he would go to any lengths to make this restyle happen.

A beautiful woman in a red dress lounged on a couch in the back of the room, sipping a drink and smiling at him. It had a bit of a sleeve and touched the back of her calves as she curled her feet under her and watched him. Dang, she was beautiful. If things didn’t work out with Sadie, he was going to track her down on looks alone. Pushing away any feelings of desire, he started his search. He was a contracted man now.

It was late, but every station was busy, getting actors ready for the talent show that started in mere hours. Talent sharks were in town, and everyone who was anybody wanted to bring their A game.

Patrons were in different points of their makeovers, but none of them looked like Sadie. He walked the length of the massive room and still couldn’t find her. He checked Tanner’s text on the location, but no, he was in the right place. Instead of finding a tear-stained Sadie, she was nowhere to be seen. Had she run away when Tanner hadn’t noticed? That would complicate things.

Right as he pressed send to call Tanner, the woman in red gestured to him.

“Do you really not recognize me?” she said, standing up.

A beast awoke within his chest. As the mysterious woman walked closer to him, revealing her tiny ears, her nose, and her blue eyes, recognition rolled over him. No way was this woman Sadie. Instead of curls going every which way, her long hair was lighter with golden highlights and straightened to fall behind her back. Her makeup was applied lightly, but her eyes had been accentuated with longer eyelashes and a touch of mascara.

His gaze moved quickly to her arms, hands, legs, and red high heels. From head to toe, she was a different person. Her slim-fitting dress hugged her tightly, but was modest enough to please his mom.

“Do I pass?” Sadie asked, bringing the evaluation to a close.

He gave her a cocky smile. “I’d say so. I didn’t even recognize you.” He bit his tongue. Flirting would not help. She was still Sadie, a placeholder for his new position.

Tanner came up next to him, lugging the suitcase he’d left. “Got your call, but I wasn’t sure if you were ready.”

Her attention zoomed in on the piece of luggage. “What’s that?”

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