Page 17 of The Wilder Widows

“You need one more than any of us. If Walter Matthau was still alive, people would mistake you for him and stop you on the streets to ask for your autograph.”

Sylvie snorted and burst into laughter while she stared at Marge. “I’m sorry, but now I can’t unsee it.”

“I do not look like Walter Matthau.”

“Well?” Doris tipped her head and squinted. “You kind of do.”

Before Marge could argue, the limo turned and slowed to a stop. “We’re here, Miss Addington.”

“Come on, ladies. Shopping. Hair. Makeup. Let’s go.”

The pull of my city was too strong to wait for James to open the door. I hopped out and took a deep breath, inhaling the smells that hadn’t changed in all these years.

Las Vegas.

My home.

****

“You’re all set, Miss Addington,” the store clerk said as she handed me my receipt. After three hours of shopping, we’d each headed off with a stylist for our hair and makeup. It’d been two hours since I’d seen the Wilder Widows, and anticipation at their transformations caused me to tap my foot impatiently. If I was back in my town, I wasn’t going to be seen with a bunch of old ladies. Though I appreciated being the best-looking one of the bunch, I didn’t need their slacks cramping my style.

I glanced in the mirror and appreciated the new highlights in my hair. Though I’d left the style the same, the fresh cut and color brightened up my complexion. I saw a slight crease starting between my brows and leaned in closer to examine it.

“Damn it,” I whispered, then wondered if I would have time to stop for Botox before my big showgirl debut.

“Well?” I heard Sylvie behind me and turned. Where a plain older woman once stood, a vibrant and fashionable woman took her place. Her long, straight hair now brushed across her shoulders with feathered layers and blonde highlights where the grey had been, gave it multitudes of volume and movement. The new makeup paired with the chic new outfit made her look at least a decade younger. Younger than me, in fact, and suddenly I regretted my decision to help them with their appearances. But one backward glance in the mirror and I knew I was still the hot one, though she gave me a run for my money.

“You look incredible, Sylvie! Like a new woman!”

“I feel incredible! Thank you, Alice. I needed this. A whole new me for a whole new life.”

“Exactly.” I reached out and squeezed her hand.

“Holy shit,” she whispered as she peered over my shoulder. I turned to follow her stare and lost the battle to keep my jaw tight when my eyes clapped onto Doris.

She shuffled in front of us, swiping a hand down her new outfit. “Do I look all right? I feel weird.”

“Doris, is that you? You look incredible,” I breathed. It wasn’t just the new clothes causing me to struggle for my next breath. The bouffant had been replaced with a short, layered style no longer resembling the old maid. Contoured makeup brought out the features in her face, and for the first time since I’d met her three years ago, I noticed how beautiful her eyes were. A dark blue now contrasted with the sweep of cobalt shadow at the corners of her lids.

“It’s okay?” she asked sheepishly, pressing her hand up into her hair. “I feel bald.”

“You look beautiful, Doris. I can’t even believe you’re the same person!” Sylvie kept shaking her head. “And wait! Your glasses! How can you see without them?”

The new pink blush brushed across her cheeks deepened to crimson while she looked down at the ground. “Actually, I have perfect vision. I just thought glasses made me look smarter, so I’ve worn them for years.”

“What?” I choked. “You wore fake glasses?”

Biting her lip, she nodded. “The stylist you set me up with told me I look younger without them and made me put them in my purse.”

“Your stylist was right,” Sylvie said. “You really look like a different person.”

“Fake glasses? Really, Doris?” I laughed.

“No one thinks I’m smart!” she argued. “Smart people wear glasses.”

“No, Doris. People who can’t see without them wear glasses. Glasses don’t make you look smarter. They make you look like you have vision problems.” I rolled my eyes. “Fake glasses.”

“Well, now I feel even dumber than I look.” She sighed.