Page 31 of Zane

Her eyes flickered open when she heard the loud gasp from her left. Thinking the worst, she looked at the mirror and went very still.

"Well?" Barry beamed at her. "What do you think?"

Lifting a hand to her face, Kara continued to stare, her expression dazed. "This cannot be me."

Barry's smile widened in pleasure. "It's a new and improved you."

"Good God!" Abigail exclaimed. "Barry darling, you're the best."

"Don't I know it." He rubbed a hand over Kara's shoulder and leaned in to stare at her in the mirror. "I just buffed the package a little. You have wonderful skin, darling, and your hair! So thick and alive. The color suits you."

He had used a mixture of colors, dull red into orange and gold, and the combination was fantastic. He had trimmed a little off the sides and layered the back until it was like a peak down her nape. He had also snipped the thick curl that was over her left brow, leaving that part of her face clear.

Selene had persuaded her to bore another hole in her lobe. The tiny, medicated earring glowed against her skin. Skin that looked soft and dewy to the touch. Her toenails were painted a brilliant orange sunshine. She had balked at having the same shade on her fingers and had settled for pale pink.

They had applied makeup to her face, the smooth foundation blending in with her skin. Flesh-colored lipstick completed the package.

"There's no way I'm ever going to look like this again," she breathed.

"Honey, we have a tutorial to give you on how to apply the makeup. With your skin tone, it doesn't take anything much," Barry reassured her. "And we've included a selection of creams and foundations as well as lipsticks for your skin tone. Ah," he grabbed a pair of large-framed shades and added it to the pile. "With our compliments."

"With the astronomical amount I'm paying you, you should have included some towels and washcloths," Kara said dryly, making him laugh.

"Now, darling, I'd advise you to come by once a month to keep up the trim and get your eyebrows attended to. It was a pleasure serving you both." He clapped his hands in delight and leaned in to hug her. "Now go away. I have some more important clients coming in shortly."

"Go home," Abigail urged as soon as they were back at work in the parking lot. "It's late and there's nothing pressing." She peered into the back seat of Kara's vehicle. "Besides, you have a lot of unpacking and sorting out to do. And I have to say, darling, you look fabulous."

"Am I crazy?" Kara asked, pressing a hand to her stomach. "I feel as if I've gone completely off the rails."

"A woman deserves to go a little wild at least once. And the fact that you never did makes it even more necessary." Abigail patted her hand. "Stop feeling guilty. Believe me when I say it's money well spent. See you tomorrow."

On the way home, she kept staring in the rearview mirror, scarcely able to believe that the person looking back at her was the same one who had left her house this morning. This person looked sophisticated and ready to take on the world.

A smile curved her lips as she released the tension from her shoulders. She was damned if she was going to feel guilty about doing something for herself for once. She had nothing to be sorry for. She gave to the poor and needy on a regular basis. She had been a good girl growing up, always staying just clear of the line, never crossing it. She had been obedient, always going where people, mostly her parents, pointed. Never once objecting.

Her righteous thoughts screeched to a halt when she turned into her driveway and saw the familiar vehicle. The idea of turning back out occurred to her and was dismissed instantly.

Part of the new Kara was not running away from anything or anyone.

Taking a deep breath, she alighted and waited until William did the same. She saw when he noticed the changes. Blank shock had him going still, his eyes wide as he stared at her.

"William." Ignoring his expression, she opened the back to retrieve some of the many packages. "Would you mind helping me with these?"

He moved then, slowly, circling the vehicle, until he was standing next to her. "I went to your place of work, and they said you left with your boss hours ago. I also tried your phone. What the devil have you done to yourself?"

"I improved the old me."

His frown was disapproving. Major surprise. "What was wrong with the old you?"

"Too boring." She thrust some packages into his hands and reached in for more.

"How much did you spend?"

Her perfectly arched brows lifted. "That's none of your business. It's my money." She sailed past him, leaving him to follow behind.

There were several packages in front of the door as well. Turning off the alarm, she made several trips back and forth until everything was piled on the living room floor.

It was only then she turned toward her unwelcome visitor. "How may I help you?"