I had to admit, with the shapewear’s help, the dress was flattering and gave me an hourglass shape.
Even Jana nodded approvingly. “Cas is going to flip.”
“Noooo, it’s Guy we’re gunning for, right Luce?” Abby said. “And enough hiding behind your hair. Let’s get you to the makeup counter. Guy won’t know what hit him.”
In minutes, Jana had wandered to the perfume section, and I was in a chair at the makeup counter, a beautician brushing and lining and dabbing my face.
“It’s really clever of you, actually,” Abby said, swiping a test lipstick on the back of her hand. “You’ve had a crush on Guy since the dawn of time, right? Then suddenly, this Cas shows up.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I mean, this is the perfect week, right? All these social engagements that put you and Guy in the same non-work space. The wedding alone—” Her eyes widened with a sudden thought. “Please tell me you didn’t buy something frumpy to wear to Kim’s wedding.”
“Well, no…”
“You did, didn’t you? If it’s not in the same ballpark as the little red number we picked out today, return it. Now is not the time to back down.”
I was glad to have ten pounds of blush on my cheeks already. My face burned hot; our “grand plan” was so obvious. That it was inconceivable that Cas might be with me to be with me and not as some decoy.
Because it is, Deb piped up. You’re a cliché. The shy little frump who could never get a man like Guy on her own…
“I like the dress I bought,” I said, my voice sounding small in my own ears.
“Pfft. I’m sure you do. But trust me, it’s—”
Abby broke off as Jana returned, a small bag in her hand.
“So I don’t smell like Eau de Bébé tonight.” She caught sight of my face and frowned. “Well, that’s…different.”
I took the mirror from the beautician. She’d given me a smoky eye, blush along the edges of my cheekbones, and bright red lipstick the same shade as the dress in a bag at my feet. My hair was pulled back from my face in a messy bun with a few tendrils hanging down. I hardly looked like myself.
“Stunning, right?” Abby crowed.
Jana nodded. “But a little heavy, don’t you think?”
“Nonsense. It’s going to be dark at the bar.”
“What do you think, Luce?”
“Umm…”
“She loves it because she knows it’ll be perfect with that dress,” Abby said. “Right, Luce?”
I must’ve agreed because I ended up spending seventy-five dollars on eye shadow, blush, and the lipstick that was actually called Underage Red.
“Now, don’t change a thing,” Abby said at the subway station. “I want to see you at the bar in a few hours just like this.”
“Abby…” Jana shook her head.
“What? She looks amazing.” Abby gave me an air kiss, whispering. “I got your back, girl.”
Jana gave me a small parting wave, and we headed our separate ways. I took the subway home, garnering a few looks from men on the train…which had never happened before. At my apartment, I unlocked the door, steeling myself for Cas’s reaction. It’d been ages since I’d been on a date.
This is not a date. This is part of your super obvious pathetic plan to get Guy to notice you.
“Shut up, Deb,” I muttered, though she was right. Even Abby saw it.
Casziel wasn’t there, and as the time ticked by, I began to wonder if he were going to show up at all. I ate my portion of the casserole I’d made for dinner and went into the bathroom to put on the red dress that suddenly looked extremely, inappropriately red. I reapplied the lipstick, smoothed my hair, and went out.