Page 12 of A SEAL’s Vigilant Heart

“Lydia, I love you to pieces, but hon, you only have on eyeliner, lipstick, and mascara. I’ve never seen you wear anything else. Do you even know how to apply more makeup?” Sophia watched as Lydia squirmed.

“Seriously, girls. Don’t you want to learn how to apply makeup?”

“I would,” Beth said shyly.

“That’s why you’re next.”

“I’m satisfied with what I have.” Lydia was resolute.

“Fine. But I’ve arranged for someone to come in to do hair and make-up for Sophia’s wedding. Frannie and Margie are thrilled, and you’ll have to suck it up.”

“I–” Lydia started to protest.

“That better be the sound of you sucking,” Ashley said.

“That’s gross.” Sophia felt like she was watching a tennis game between two evenly matched players.

“Lydia, are you trying to tell me my makeup doesn’t look good?” Ashley demanded.

Sophia knew her friend had won. “No,” was Lydia’s soft reply. Ashley took out some wipes and cleaned her face.

“Voila, a blank canvass. This is really simple, and it doesn’t take much.”

Sophia went over to watch, with Beth and Lydia following. Ashley was right, she really didn’t apply a lot, and the transformation was subtle but amazing. She got up and pushed Beth into the chair. Soon Beth’s big black eyes were even bigger and sparkled like gems.

“Lydia?”

“Okay. But I’m not changing outfits.”

In the end, all four girls were wearing cute dresses from Ashley’s closet, their eyes sparkled, and their lips were plump and shiny.

“Now we are going to the cutest little place for dinner. It’s in the Gaslamp Quarter, and the waiters are big ole flirts. They pour the best martinis. You’ll love it.”

“I’m not drinking I’m the designated driver,” Lydia said.

“Girl, you’re getting on my last nerve.” Ashley rolled her eyes. “I have you covered. I’ve arranged for a limo tonight. He’s even going to drive you home. He has a partner who will drive your car home behind us. It’s all good.”

Sophia was amazed. To think this girl had been under her father’s thumb and afraid to leave him. As if she read her mind, Ashley looked at her and winked.

“I’ve definitely come into my own. Tonight I intend to really enjoy myself.”

“Well, I draw the line at a strip club.”

“Eww. I don’t want some man wagging his thing at me in public either,” Ashley said. Sophia breathed a sigh of relief. “We are however going to a bar I know where they have karaoke and dancing.”

“I don’t sing,” Lydia said.

“That’s not true. Now you’re being stubborn. You need to pull the stick out of your butt,” Beth said to her sister. Sophia and Ashley laughed. Sophia never would have expected Beth to have said that to her sister.

“Okay, maybe I do sing,” Lydia relented. “But I’m going to need one or two of those martinis.”

Ashley’s phone beeped. “The limo is here. Let’s get a move on.”

“Give me your phone,” Sophia requested. “I want to see pictures of Louisa.” Ashley handed over the phone as they headed downstairs. Sophia thumbed through the pictures.

“I can’t believe how big she’s getting.”

“She’s beautiful like her sister, Sophia.” Ashley threw her arm around Sophia’s shoulder.