Chapter 19

We headed over to Ms Katie's for breakfast before I was shooed off to hang out with Anna for an all day at Ms Belle's spa. Okay it wasn't a spa it was the only beauty parlor our little town had. It wasn't a spa in the sense but she did what she could for our little place. The guys were going to hang out together for a couple hours while us girls got our hair and nails done. I was not really comfortable having this done but Anna told me to just smile and tell Jon thank you. I was not used to this at all. The last time I had this done was for Anna's wedding to Jake. I had been a bridesmaid. I never told her how awful that turned out later with her sister and I was determined not to ruin her day.

I tried to relax as the one girl was putting stuff on my face I really wasn't into facials or anything like that but I didn't complain. Another was working on my feet and another on my hands. I had no clue why Jon arranged all this it was not my thing. I opened my eyes to look over at Anna who had a smile on her face. Her feet were up an they were being massaged and painted her nails. I'd do this for her if nothing else. I tried not to stiffen up when I heard the voices I really didn't want to walk into the salon. I knew Ms Belle was Tawny's mom but I had hoped she wouldn't come in till we left. Darla who was working on my facial felt me tense up. She leaned down “Don't you worry darlin .. we got our instructions .. those girls aren't getting near you … Mr tall dark and handsome and Mr blonde and sexy left explicit instructions for you to have a relaxing time before the dance .. gotta make you pretty for your boys...”

I raised an eyebrow “they aren't MY boys … Jon's just a friend and Richie I just met the other day ...” She put a finger over my lips.

“shhh... no talking...and whatever you say Darlin...” She winked at me and covered my eyes with cucumbers. I knew better than to argue was Darla an old school friend of my moms and she knew me since I was a little girl. I just relaxed as best I could. I could hear the girls talking but I tried to block it out.

“Is that your sister over there Kari...”

“yeah but who's next to her … I didn't even know she was going to be here this afternoon. ...how is Jake paying for this ...” She muttered as she set in the chair.

I could hear Anna moving to sit up in the other chair. “for YOUR information sister dear Jake didn't pay for this … this was a gift from someone else and I suggest you keep your nose TO yourself... and mind your own business ….” She snapped. I was shocked but as I couldn't move from where Darla had me with the mud mask on I couldn't say anything. I had never seen or heard Anna lose it on her sister. Then again she wasn't pregnant before.

The rest of the time in the salon was quiet, when they removed the mask they started on my hair. I really didn't do much with it. I usually just pulled it in a tail or bun most days. Some days I let it just fall around my shoulders. They did my hair and then makeup. The dress was still at the apartment where the guys were going to meet to get ready. I was nervous and tried not to bite the fake nails they had put on my hand. Soon we were headed back to my apartment where Anna shooed me upstairs so the guys couldn't see me. I just gave her an odd look. Why was everyone acting differently. It was not a big deal so if Jon saw what I looked like right now so they did my makeup and hair. It was not a huge thing yet Anna said she couldn't let the guys see us yet. It took us three hours in the salon and the dance was at four. It was time to get dressed and ready to go. I helped Anna into her pretty flowered dress and then she helped me into the blue one and the shoes. Sliding on the necklace and earring was a bit hard with the new nails but we managed it. She fluffed my hair and called down to the guys asking if they were ready. I could hear Jon yell That they were ready whenever we were.

I was nervous to go down the stairs for one I was in heels something I barely wore. Another I never looked like this. I had looked in my bedroom mirror and a stranger looked back at me. That was not me in the mirror the dress was the right fit the jewelry matched it perfectly. Now was the problem of getting the nerves to go down the stairs and go to the dance. I fidgeted with the bracelets on my wrist for a few seconds while Anna finished up her makeup a bit then she looked at me. “lets go..”

I took a deep breath and started towards the door then froze. “I can't do this..” I shook my head. I couldn't go to that dance I couldn't go down there dressed like this. I backed away from the door my insecurities reaching up to strangle any hope I had of going to this damn thing. I stared at Anna who was watching me. She put her hand on mine.

“Give me a second okay..” She leaned down the stairway. “just a minute guys … be down just in a little bit ….” I heard them yell up asking if everything was okay. “yep just an attack of nerves be down soon..” She shut the door behind her and turned to me. “Sweetheart you look beautiful...” She took my hand in hers rubbing the back of it. “I know this is hard for you … which is why I usually don't make you come to these things … I know your mom can't wait to see you there and Kam wants to spend sometime with her great aunt. When she found out you were coming I heard from Caleb that she had to have a new dress...Cassia wasn't' too happy but then she's never happy about anything... come on you'll be fine ...lets go knock the socks off the guys downstairs...”

I sighed but just nodded my head concentrating on going to see my great niece and my mom. I wouldn't want to disappoint either of them. I ignored the comment she made about my looks. I didn't look like me which was good for a change. I opened the door and stepped on the landing. I froze when there was a gasp downstairs. I turned to see Jon standing at the foot of the stairs like he was going to start up them. He wore a soft dark blue suit that brought out his eyes. His shirt was a lighter blue but was open without a tie. He just stood there staring at me. I fidgeted with the coat and tried to bring it to wrap around to hide me but he shook his head. I really wished he would stop staring at me with that look on his face I kept looking around to see what he was looking at but he kept watching ME. 

 

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Jon stared at the vision in front of him. He did have to admit he was a bit shallow sometimes, and didn't go for pretty girls but he had got caught by Shanna. What he saw was beyond the pretty exterior to the beautiful woman inside that barely anyone saw. Yet in front of him, he as at a loss for words. Shanna looked beautiful the color brought out her eyes. Her hair was done up but fell softly around he shoulders He could see just the hint of pearls braided in the braid done through her hair. He smiled and held out his hand for her but frowned a bit when she stepped back. “its okay Shanna you look … beautiful ...” When she gave him a doubtful look he shook his head and made a promise in his head he would convince her that she was. He stepped closer and took her hand in his rubbing his finger over her knuckles soothingly “quite breath taking actually...come on... “ He led her down the stairs Anna was right behind her a huge smile on her face.

Richie looked over from where he was talking with Jake and whistled, Shanna instantly bristled and backed off again. “easy darlin... ..” he moved over towards them. He wore a dark black suit with almost a royal purple shirt under it. He smiled at her and kissed her hand. “just my way of saying you look magnificent the color suits you.... and you..” he turned to Anna before Jake got to his wife. “you look simply ravishing...” He winked at her. He rubbed his hands together. “so who's my date...”

Jon grinned “you'll meet her there .. her name is Kam....” He offered his arm to Shanna “shall we go...”

“can't wait brotha .. can't wait..” Richie held the door open for the two couples. He missed the look Shanna gave Jon after she tentatively took his arm. The smirk on his best friends face didn't phase Richie. He just hoped it wasn't one of the bitchzillas then he'd have to kill his buddy. He slid his shades on and followed after them. None of them knowing or realizing what would start out as a wonderful time would turn out quite horrid in the end.