Fresh Cut Romance Read Free Page A

young, preferably with dark hair, like you."
    "Then how about Sarah Jessica Parker?"
    Sarah shook her head. "No, you don't look like her and she's older than Nicole Kidman. I think you look like Kate Beckensale, but you have such a pretty face I don't want your hair to distract from it. How about if I fix your hair up with a ribbon and curls cascading over the ribbon?"
    "You're the boss and I don't have that pretty a face."
    "Oh, yeah? Wait 'til I finish."
    She turned me around and wouldn't let me see what she was doing. While Sarah did my hair, the manicurist, Lucille, came over and performed a quick manicure and pedicure.
    After Lucille left, Sarah applied makeup. After about ten minutes, she came around in front of me, stood back and took my picture. Just then, Jessie came by. "Sarah, fantastic job. My God, Julian can sure pick 'em. She's exquisite.
    Sarah stiffened slightly at Jessie's comment, but acted normal. Swinging my chair around, she said, "Ta-da."
    I didn't recognize myself. I didn't know if I was beautiful, but I couldn't take my eyes off the mirror.
    As I looked at my reflection, Sarah, beamed, put her cheek next to mine and looking at our reflection, said, "What did I tell you? Beautiful!"
    "Oh Sarah, It's…it's absolutely gorgeous. I don't know how to thank you."
    "Don't worry about it. I get paid to do gorgeous." She turned slightly and pecked my cheek. "But thanks for saying so."
    "I hope you're not going to be mad at me for going out with him. Are you?"
    Jessie was right there so she whispered, "Nah. He never was that interested in me, just sex. I'm pretty much over him and you've got a good shot with him. Good luck."
    Sarah's hand rested on my opposite shoulder. I reached up and grasped it, and just like that, we were friends.
    "Let me give you a little advice. Don't go to bed with him too quickly. I think that's what I did wrong," she whispered.
    I was beyond shocked. As attractive as I found Julian, sex was out of the question. "Don't worry Sarah. I have no intention of sleeping with him," I whispered back, probably a little too loudly. I hitched my head and blinked my eyes in a so there gesture.
    Sarah laughed. "You're a cutie, here's my card. Call me, let's do lunch sometime."
    I took the card and kissed her cheek. "You're nice. Julian should take a second look at you. Even if you are older."
    She laughed again, embraced me and whispered, "If Julian is going though all this trouble, he only has eyes for you."
    Jessie took my hand. "C'mon Laurel, have I got the finishing touches for you." She led me back to the spa and boutique.
    When we got there, Jessie showed me what she'd selected. She had great taste. I wouldn't change a thing.
    Just then, Julian rushed in all excited. "Guess what?" He came to an abrupt stop and said, "Wow! You look great. He stepped into me and hugged me like at the museum but without the kiss. He pulled away his hands still on my forearms. "I like your hair up." He looked at Jessie, then me. "Janet came through. She got us reservations at Capo for eight o'clock."
    "Wow! That's great." I didn't know what or where Capo was, but Jessie seemed to approve.
    I looked at my watch. It was three-thirty. Except for putting on the gown and heels, I was ready, but our reservation was for eight—four and a half hours away. I looked at Julian and he seemed to read my mind. "I could take you back to the museum for an hour or so and if you don't mind me knowing where you live, I could follow you and you could get ready. We could leave from there."
    There was no way I wanted Julian to see the dorm I lived in. "Is Capo near here?"
    "Sort of. It's in Santa Monica. Why?"
    "My sister, Teresa, lives in Culver City. It would be much closer for me to get ready there. I live clear down in Torrance."
    "Fine." Julian let go of my forearms and took the dress and shoes from Jessie. "I'll be right back."
    As Julian left, Jessie pulled me aside. Speaking softly, "I've never seen my baby brother this excited