“It’s what you deserve,” Gabrielle responded honestly. “But that’s not why I’m here.”
“Are you here to gloat?” he asked. “At your superiority? That you’re at Adams Cosmetics and I’ve turned into a lowly addict?”
Gabrielle’s eyes grew sad. How had they gotten here? Her relationship with her parents had been strained at best, but this deterioration was beyond her wildest nightmare. “I can’t do this.” She reached for her purse that she had thrown unceremoniously across the floor. “I have to go.”
Her father rose from his chair and as she passed him, he grabbed her arm. “I need an answer, Gabby. Don’t you want to help your old man? Don’t you want to be a part of this family again?”
Gabrielle looked down at her arm and then back up at him. She would not be manhandled. “I can’t believe you would ask me to do such a horrible thing. Now LET ME GO!”
Her mother came running into the room. “What’s going on?”
Her father released her arm and flung her away from him. “Your selfish daughter is what’s going on. Why don’t you just go, Gabby? We don’t need you here. We haven’t for a long time.”
With tears streaming down her face, Gabrielle rushed out of the house. She didn’t realize she was hyperventilating until she was back in the car.
Chapter 5
Gabrielle fretted over the next few days about what to do. What kind of monster was her father? He was offering her his love and a chance to be a family again, the one thing she’d wanted more than anything in the world for the past fifteen years—but only if she betrayed Shane and his family.
She had no one to turn to, no one to confide in about her dilemma. She’d had a few friends in high school, but after Seth’s death, people she thought were her friends became distant. She could see the pity in their eyes, pity that she’d lost such a wonderful brother like Seth, who was the star of the football team and well liked by all, while she was the nerd and a social outcast. He’d taken her with him that day only so that she would finally get her nose out of a book and make some friends.
And now, when she desperately needed someone to talk to, she had no one. Even though they’d connected in a short time, she couldn’t talk to Courtney. How could she tell Courtney what a hideous thing her father had asked her to do? What would she think of Gabby or her family? And Shane—well that wasn’t even a consideration. The only person who came to mind was Mariah, but would she understand? Could she understand how desperately Gabby wanted a family again?
Gabrielle tried to keep her distance at the office because in the back of her mind, no matter how hard she tried to push it down, she was contemplating the unthinkable. Courtney, however, was not to be ignored. She continued to call Gabrielle all week until she finally answered her cell phone.
“Have you changed your mind? Are you thinking of bailing?” Courtney asked. “I left several messages for you this week.”
“I know, Courtney, and I’m really sorry. I just have a lot going on personally.”
“I understand. And I don’t want to push you,” Courtney replied. “But do you want to see if there’s potential with Shane? A makeover will certainly make him stand up and take notice. Ultimately, it’s up to you.”
* * *
“Francois, I want you to take several inches off,” Courtney said to the hairstylist as she ran her fingers through Gabrielle’s long hair that fell until just above her butt. Despite all her family drama, Gabrielle had decided to go for the makeover on Saturday because she didn’t want to waste another second of her life. If she’d learned anything from losing Seth so young it was that life was short, and she needed to take full advantage of all it had to offer. If Shane Adams turned out to be part of the equation, even better.
They had just finished a four-hour shopping spree at the finest boutiques that Atlanta had to offer, and Gabrielle now had a wide array of dresses, suits, tops, slacks, lingerie and an innumerable amount of shoes.
“But…” Gabrielle started, but Courtney put a finger to her lips.
“Trust me, I know what I’m doing,” she replied. “Then I want you to add several soft brown highlights to bring out the caramel color of her skin tone.”
“Absolutely!” Francois said as he walked around the stool Gabrielle was sitting in. “It will suit her well. But you know she needs more than the perfect cut, yes? I mean these eyebrows…” He slid his hands over Gabrielle’s bushy eyebrows.
“Of course,” Courtney responded, shocked that he would doubt her makeover abilities. “I’ve arranged a facial, followed by mani-pedis for the both of us and then a makeup application by Viola.”
“Sounds like the rest of your day is taken,” Francois said. “So let me get to work.”
“Oh, yes,” Courtney replied. “This is a full-day event.”
“Are you going someplace special?” Francois asked, finally acknowledging Gabrielle. She’d thought he’d forgotten she was the actual client sitting in the chair.
“Yes, I’m going to dinner at the Adams family estate.”
“Oh… ” Francois squealed. “You will absolutely love it. They give the best dinner parties.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Well, let’s get you ready for the ball,” Francois said, spinning her away from the mirror and pulling out his shears. He hated for his clients to watch him work. All they needed to see was the end result.
Gabrielle’s eyes grew large when she saw Francois with the shears. She’d allowed her hair to grow out in Paris because it was easier to deal with. Plus, she’d had the hardest time finding a good hairdresser. And now she was about to part with her long hair. She would be shedding the old Gabrielle and starting anew. Considering what had happened with her parents, she was more than ready for a change. But what would Shane think? She could only hope he would be dazzled by the new Gabrielle.
Nearly two hours later, Gabrielle was pleased with the result. Francois definitely had earned his high-priced haircut, because what he’d done to her hair was nothing short of miraculous. He’d turned her once-dull brown hair into a sleek long bob that just touched her shoulders. It was shorter in the front and longer in the back, with light brown highlights. The ponytail he’d cut off would be donated to Locks of Love.
“Well?” Courtney held her breath. “What do you think?”
“I love it!” Gabrielle jumped out of the chair and spun around. “Francois, you are amazing!” She leaned forward and kissed the Frenchman’s cheek.
“Thank you,” Francois said, touching his chest. “I’m so glad you like it.”
A smile spread across Courtney’s face. “It really is quite stunning.” She knew Francois would do a good job, but this was an entirely new look for Gabby.
“All right, what’s next?” Gabrielle was all fired up now.
Courtney grabbed her designer purse that she’d strewn across a chair and said, “Time for our facials and mani-pedis. Francois, I will see you soon?” She blew him air kisses and headed toward the door, but Gabrielle grabbed her arm.
“We haven’t paid Francois.”
“Don’t worry, I took care of it.”
“Courtney.” Gabrielle stopped in midwalk. “You’ve already done so much. I can’t let you do this, too.” Courtney had paid for her entire new wardrobe, and now this?
“C’mon.” Courtney grasped Gabrielle’s arm and pulled her to the exit. “I wanted to do this for you, so just let me.”
“Okay, but I’m paying for the spa,” Gabrielle insisted.
Courtney sighed. “Okay, okay. Let’s go. We only have a few more hours before the party.”
* * *
Gabrielle loved the woman staring back at her in the mirror. Between the clothes, hair and now the makeup done by Viola, one of the makeup artists at AC, her look was complete. Gone was the plain Gabrielle she was used to seeing, and in her place was a beautiful, sophisticated woman. The sleek hairdo was accented by soft makeup and finished off with a cobalt-blue jersey strapless dress r
uched from the bust down to the bodice. The dress hit right above her knee, while rhinestone sandals adorned her feet. It created a curvaceous silhouette and made her look as if she had curves despite her B-cup-size breasts. She was every bit as sexy as any woman Shane had ever dated. No, better! She was feeling just that good about herself, and it was thanks to one person.
“Courtney.” She turned to her new best friend, who was sitting in a pedestal chair at her vanity table while Viola finished her makeup. “How can I ever thank you?”
Courtney turned around to face her. “You don’t have to. It was my pleasure.”
“Courtney…” Viola huffed as she nearly poked her eye with the eyeliner.
“Sorry.” Courtney blushed and turned back around. “Shane will have no idea what, or shall I say who, is about to hit him.”
Gabrielle walked toward her and sat on a nearby ottoman. “Thank you. But this wasn’t just about Shane, it was about me, too. I want to know if my makeover will have a positive effect at the office. And well, Shane? That’s just an added benefit.”
“It’s great to hear you sound so confident,” Courtney replied. “I think you’ll be the best thing to happen to my brother in a long, long time.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Who is it?” Courtney yelled through the door.
“Shane.”
Gabrielle’s eyes filled with fear. She didn’t want Shane to see her now and spoil the reveal, but Courtney calmed her. “Hide in the closet.”
Gabrielle quickly rushed into Courtney’s walk-in closet. It was filled with clothes and shoes from floor to ceiling.
Shane walked into the bedroom seconds later and regarded his sister. “Hey, you,” he said, towering over her on the pedestal. “Where have you been all day?” Usually his sister was right there along with Victor, bossing everyone around for their parties.
“I was working on a special project,” Courtney responded.
When Viola was done adding powder to finish her makeup, Courtney spun around. “Why?”
“Well, I don’t know,” Shane said, pacing the room. “I was just wondering if you’d heard from Gabby. I saw that she was on the guest list, and I could only assume that you’d invited her.”
“I did. Is that a problem?”
“Problem?” He shrugged his shoulders dismissively. “Um… I was just hoping to speak with her.”
“About?” She waved at Viola, who’d packed up her belongings and headed to the door.
“Must you be so nosy?”
“You’re the one who claimed she was your mortal enemy at perfumery school and who pitched a fit about her joining AC.”
Shane shrugged. “That’s over now. Gabby and I have found neutral ground.” If you could call sharing an earth-shattering kiss that had rattled him to the core neutral ground, then, yes. He’d been unable to stop thinking about Gabrielle ever since. “And I was hoping we could build on that. You know, for the sake of the company.”
“Oh, yes, for the sake of the company.” Courtney smiled knowingly. Her brother must think she was stupid if he didn’t think she could tell that his feelings toward Gabby had changed.
“I’ll see you downstairs,” Shane said on his way out.
Gabrielle emerged with a hopeful smile from the closet. From what she’d heard, Shane was definitely interested in her, and tonight she would push the envelope.
* * *
When Shane made it to the great room, the party was already under way. His parents were holding court and Kayla and Ethan had already arrived. Several family friends were already milling about drinking champagne and eating canapés.
Shane glanced around the room but didn’t see Gabrielle. He imagined she would have already been there as she was always so prompt. It made him anxious. He was eager to have a conversation with her and finally discuss that night at the lounge. He hadn’t wanted his words to be an affront and had merely meant that he didn’t think it was a good idea that they get involved. That’s what he had intended to tell her, but as he laid eyes on Courtney and Gabby as they walked into the room, Shane realized he might have to eat those words.
What the hell had happened to his sweet Gabby? He sure didn’t know, because this new creature walking toward him was simply stunning.
Gabrielle watched Shane’s eyes grow wide as she approached, and it caused butterflies to jump up and down in her stomach. What she saw in his eyes, for the first time, was male appreciation. When she reached him, she smiled. “Shane.”
Shane lost all speech. All he could do was merely stare at her. He started at her feet, which were encased in sexy rhinestone sandals, and then slowly he allowed his eyes to wander upward. And what a sight it was. The bright blue dress she wore clung to her slender frame like a glove and revealed a slight peekaboo of pert breasts, which he just so happened to love. There was no mistaking that she was all woman underneath. His eyes ended their journey at her face and her immaculate makeup, from the sparkling shade of pale pink gloss on her lips to her arched eyebrows and blue eye shadow. Her usually long hair had been chopped to her shoulders, but instead of being severe, it hung straight and sleek. He was stunned at the beautiful package standing in front of him.
“Cat got your tongue?” Gabrielle asked when Shane’s eyes finally connected with hers after his long perusal.
Now there was the Gabby he remembered, Shane thought. “No,” he finally spoke. “I was just taken aback by the sudden change in your appearance. It’s really quite remarkable.”
“So you expected me to stay an ugly duckling forever?” Gabrielle inquired.
“Of course not, Gabby,” Shane replied. “And for your information, you were never an ugly duckling to me.”
“Just one you thought you could grope in a dark lounge, but not have openly on your arm?” Gabrielle responded, and the mask of the sophistication she was trying to portray came down for a few moments. She hadn’t meant to say exactly how she’d felt that night. It was amazing what self-confidence could do for you.
“Is that how you felt?” Shane was mortified. He’d never, ever thought she would view herself as an ugly secret that he needed to keep quiet. “I’m sorry, because that wasn’t how I felt…I mean how I feel.”
Gabrielle recovered and smiled. “No worries. There are more than enough prospects here who wouldn’t mind spending time in my company, if you’ll excuse me.” She was taking Courtney’s advice and making contact with Shane but leaving him wanting more. She wasn’t going to spend the entire night hoping he would fawn all over her—she was supposed to mingle.
* * *
She found Courtney, standing next to a Latina woman with jet-black hair, brown eyes and a warm smile. “Gabrielle Burton, I’d like you to meet my BFF, Tea Santiago.” Courtney squeezed the other woman’s shoulders.
“Happy to meet you,” Tea replied, extending her hand, which Gabrielle shook.
“So, how did it go?” Courtney asked.
“How did what go?” Tea looked back and forth to both women for an explanation.
“My sister is trying to win Shane’s attention,” Courtney replied, smiling.
Tea laughed heartily. “Well, that’s no easy feat.” In the ten years she’d known Courtney, she’d seen dozens of women try, and fail, to win Shane’s affection.
“Shane was intrigued,” Gabrielle answered.
Courtney glanced over Tea’s shoulder. “He seems so. That’s good. Now here’s what you have to do to keep him wanting more.” She whispered in Gabrielle’s ear.
* * *
Shane watched from the other side of the room as Gabby, Courtney and Tea appeared to be in a deep conversation. He should have known Courtney had something to do with Gabby’s transformation. His little sister just couldn’t stay out of folks’ business. He was going to have to have a word with her.
“Did you see Gabrielle Burton?” Kayla asked as she suddenly joined him. “She looks sensational!”
“Yeah.” Shane turned away to face another d
irection.
Kayla asked, “What is wrong with Gabrielle getting a makeover? If you ask me, she needed a little fine-tuning.”
“That’s the problem,” Shane replied, sipping his drink. “Before, I could rationalize not getting involved with her, but now…”
“But now, what?” Kayla stared in Shane’s eyes.
“But with her—” he pointed to Gabby with his drink “—looking like that…that sexy, I don’t know, Kay. It’s going to be difficult to keep my promise to stay away from her.”
Kayla understood and nodded in agreement. “Looks like you have a problem, Watson.”
“Ya think?”
Shane did his best to keep his distance during the course of the cocktail hour, and when it came time for dinner, he intended to sit farther down the long table in the formal dining room, next to his mother. But Courtney beat him to the punch, which meant he was going to have to sit opposite Gabby.
Gabrielle smiled at him once and then continued talking to her dinner companion, who just so happened to be Ethan’s right-hand man, Daniel Walker. Daniel was a fine-looking man any woman wouldn’t mind spending time with, which irked Shane even more. Gabby appeared to be enjoying his every word. She was so engrossed in their conversation, she didn’t even hear Shane ask her to pass the vinaigrette.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Gabrielle batted her eyelashes at Shane. “Here you go.” She leaned across the table to hand him the boat, and when she did their hands touched for the merest of seconds. A jolt of electricity shot right through her, and she snatched her hand back. She glanced up and found Shane watching her intently, which meant he must have felt it, too. The sexual tension between them was palpable, so much so that by the time dessert was served Gabrielle had to excuse herself. Although she appreciated the attention Daniel was bestowing on her thanks to her makeover, she couldn’t take the look of raw hunger scorched in Shane’s eyes every time she glanced in his direction.
In the powder room, she began counting from one to one hundred to calm her frayed nerves. Sure, she’d transformed herself so that Shane would be interested in her, but now that he was, she was afraid to go down that road. But she could and would seduce him. She was a worldly woman, well capable of handling Shane Adams.
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