Page 129 of Scorned Beauty

As if they were totally listening, the door opened.

“Finally!” Bianca headed straight to me, holding out a drink. “Kir Royale.”

She added, “Rob informed me thatkirin Farsi meanscock.”

I laughed. “Noted.”

Chapter

Thirty-Three

Sloane

“You’re goingto knock his socks off,” Rob exclaimed.

It was gala night, two days after the salon visit, and a day after our girls’ spa day indulging in a massage and a full-body treatment. The estheticians advised against any sort of peel so we went with a gentle exfoliant. She sent me home with an instant glamor mask that they carried in the spa to apply after my bath today.

Rob gushed at how smooth my skin was and how my pores were smaller than they were the other day. Not that I’d noticed because the mirror in the apartment didn’t have the magnification of the one in the current bathroom I was using.

“I don’t think I can realistically manage the skin care regimen the esthetician sent home with me.”

Rob leaned in conspiratorially. “If you ask me, girlie, your man thinks you’re beautiful just the way you are.” He fanned himself. “And, girl, is he possessive.”

I laughed, even when it wasn’t really funny. Apparently Dom had an issue with Rob coming into the penthouse to do my hairand makeup. But after we assured him that Rob was definitely gay and had no interest in me sexually other than as a project, he relented. Still, he had asked Trevor to hang around the penthouse.

Lucy was going to the gala with her parents and she was staying with them, which added to the jittery feeling in the pit of my stomach. Dom was picking me up today. We hadn’t discussed him staying over yet. He’d been unusually quiet in our messages other than greeting me this morning.

Dom

Good morning, beautiful.

I’ll pick you up at 6:30. Just a heads-up. Got a couple of things that need my attention and might not respond immediately. Any emergency, Trevor knows where to reach me.

Me

K.

Ever since my epiphany the other day at the salon, I began seeing my renewed relationship with Dom through a new lens. The notion of expectations wasn’t there, and with my therapy sessions, I’d learned to flip the script from expectation to appreciation. Appreciate the blessings and help offered by the caring people around me. Accept that I deserved to be in their circle. I worked hard to be where I was and be able to take the NCLEX. I had the Delphine project to look forward to. Words couldn’t express the feeling of having something to live for. Now Dom was part of it.

Granted, we were still in the early stages.

I thought about the fancy shopping bag that arrived this morning containing sexy lingerie. I immediately laundered it so it would be ready to wear this evening.

“Ack, I see that secretive smile,” Rob teased. “You’re thinking about him.”

“Trevor said to head on up.” Bianca appeared at the door of my room. The look of utter amazement on her face was satisfying and morale-boosting. “Oh my God, I love your updo and makeup!”

“Why are you here?” I asked. “Weren’t you supposed to have a date night with Sandro?”

“I’m still going to have a date night with my husband. He’s waiting downstairs, talking to Trevor. Dom texted me this morning to help you put on the gown.”

“Ugh, seriously. That man.” I looked around for my phone, but I couldn’t find it.

“Haha, whether he thinks I’m gay or not, he still doesn’t want me to help you,” Rob chortled. “Okay, go put it on,MizzScott. I’ll wait outside just in case your makeup or hair needs repair.”

When Rob left, I turned to Bianca, and with a confidence I hadn’t felt in a long time, I whipped off my robe with flair.

She gaped. “Oh my God, the bustier and garters.” She moved closer and inspected the lace. “Where did you get this?” she asked in a tone that said, I want one.