by Liliana Hart
Jack went on to explain the circumstances. “I think the little talk I had with her caused her to have a breakthrough. She said she’s ready to turn over a new leaf and start a new life. I can’t wait to see how it turns out, but she wanted the two weeks to get things in order before you meet. She’s always been a treasure, and I want this to work out for her. She deserves it.”
“I’ll do the best I can to make sure she gets everything she wants,” Dylan said, heartened by Jack’s words. He couldn’t wait to meet the new Anna either, and he’d make sure he was part of her new life.
“All I ask as that you take care of my little girl and make her happy,” Jack said before hanging up.
“Oh, believe me, sir, I will,” Dylan said to an empty line.
***
Jack Hollis hung up the phone a very happy man. Young people were so gullible these days. Dylan and Anna must think him the dumbest man on the planet to not feel the sparks that flew between them every time they were in the same room. Their chemistry was practically electric.
Dylan Maguire didn’t look like a man to let a good opportunity pass him by, and Anna was a late bloomer just like her mother had been. She just needed a little encouragement to grow. He knew her shyness was a result of her mother’s death. It was the only way she could protect herself from the pain of the loss. Hell, she’d only had him as an example, and he’d been doing the same thing. It was all his fault, and he’d do anything to repair the damage that had already been done. There was still a chance for his baby.
Anna was ready to be swept off her feet, and in his opinion, it was high time Dylan settled down with a good woman. A man past thirty needed a woman to help settle his wild ways. They were a perfect match and both were primed for the pickings.
He thought of his wife and knew she’d skin him alive for messing with their only daughter’s future. But he had a good feeling about those two. “You’ll see, sweetheart,” he said looking towards the sky. “Everything will work out all right.”
Chapter Two
Anna drove her sensible Volvo down Baker Street, smack dab in the middle of Paradise—population 3,231.
The Baker sisters had been prostitutes in the late part of the nineteenth century, and apparently they’d been popular enough to warrant having the main street in town named after them. The more she thought about it, maybe the Baker sisters were the reason the town was called Paradise.
The two-story Victorian house where they’d run their business still sat on the corner of the Towne Square, only now it was used as a bed and breakfast. Anna always felt the town trivia added character to an otherwise unremarkable place.
She waved to a couple of familiar people along the busy cobblestone street and waited while pedestrians crossed back and forth, unmindful of the no jay-walking signs posted.
Mr. Larson and Mr. Duffy played checkers on the wooden walkway in front of Howard’s Grocery, and a mother held the hands of her two small children and led them into the ice cream parlor. Everything was just as it always had been, and Anna couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. It really was paradise.
Hollis Tools was on the corner of the opposite street and brought in business from the other towns close by. It had helped Paradise survive during many a hard time by employing as many local workers as possible. The other stores and restaurants on the street lined up, straight as soldiers, next to it. It was a town rich with tradition, and hardly anyone was a stranger in such a small place. Unless they stayed secluded from everyone like she had attempted to over the past ten years.
Anna maneuvered her Volvo around the corner and through the Towne Square, and then headed in a straight shot towards Mel’s house. The Volvo was going to be a thing of the past. She needed a new car to fit with her new image, something sexy and sleek. Of course, she didn’t have a new image yet. She was still wearing the same baggy clothes and tight braid she always wore, but she’d changed on the inside.
Mel’s house was located in Paradise’s historic district, right across from a large park, full of trees, a jogging path and playground toys.
Mel had taken over her family’s bookstore after she’d graduated from college, and she’d promptly added a café to one side of it to attract more customers. It was a homey place where you could end up staying for hours. Fortunately, Mel was off on Sundays, and she’d agreed to help a friend in need.
Anna hadn’t told Mel the real reason behind her change. She didn’t know how her friend would react if she found out she only wanted to quench this sexual need that consumed her body. Two weeks seemed like an eternity, and that was if Dylan was even interested.
She beeped the horn, and Mel came bounding out of the house, her shoulder bag hanging over her arm, as energetic as ever. Anna envied Mel’s original style. Her jeans had holes in both knees, and she wore a long-sleeved t-shirt that was just short enough to show off her bellybutton ring.
Maybe I should get a bellybutton ring.
“I’m so glad you called me,” Mel said, slamming the car door shut and putting on a pair of aviator sunglasses. “It’s been too long since we’ve gotten together.”
“I want to apologize for that,” Anna said. “I haven’t been a very good friend, but I’d like to change that. If you don’t mind?”
“Of course I don’t mind. We’ve been friends our whole lives, why should that change now?” Mel asked, shaking her head at the silliness of it all. “Now let’s stop all this mushy talk. I want to know the real reason for this change you’re so insistent on. It’s a man isn’t it?”
Anna took a deep breath and decided to go for the truth. “There’s this man that’s been coming into the store for months …”
“I knew it, I knew it had to be a man,” Mel interrupted. “What does he look like? Is he hot?”
“Well, if you’ll let me finish I’ll tell you,” Anna said, exasperated.
“Sorry, but don’t leave out anything,” Mel said, unfazed.
“I can’t even begin to describe what looking at this man does to my body. He’s really tall, probably 6’5”, and he has this amazing body that’s muscled in all the right places. He’s got dark hair that never seems to be tamed. It always curls a little bit around the collar, and God… his eyes are this silvery blue that just captivate me with one glance. He’s just so … so full of testosterone and heat.”
“Geez … Now I’m having hot flashes,” Mel murmured in reverence.
“I’m going to do everything in my power to make him notice me,” Anna said.
“I don’t think it will be as hard as you think. You’ve always underestimated your looks. All we need to do is punch them up a little bit.”
“Speaking of that, where are we going first?”
“I made an appointment for you with my hairdresser at DeLucia’s.”
“But you usually have to book weeks in advance,” Anna said as worry of what she was about to undertake creased her brow.
“Well, she slipped you into her schedule as a favor. Plus, I told her you had loads of money and would make it worth her while.”
“Thanks,” Anna said wryly, raising her eyebrow in exasperation.
Mel’s cropped locks caused a small niggling of doubt enter her mind. Mel changed her hair like it was day of the week underpants. Right now, her dark hair was short and managed to stick up in every direction, but look stylish and chic at the same time. She’d also had some blonde highlights put in since the last time they’d seen each other. “Are you sure she’ll do a good job?” Anna asked tentatively.
“Oh yeah, she’s the best.”
They were headed to Fort Worth, the closest city, because as much as she loved Paradise, it wasn’t the place to reinvent herself. She wouldn’t let Della at Della’s Salon do her hair for any amount of money in the world. If she wanted gossip, then that’s where she’d go, but never for a hairstyle unless she wanted to end up with blue tinted poodle curls like every other senior citizen in the town.
Anna pulled into the parking lot o
f De Lucia’s Spa and Salon and felt a little better. The sign wasn’t in neon, and people weren’t running out the front door screaming, so she guessed it was safe. It didn’t look like a place that appealed to punk rockers despite Mel’s hair.
Anna dragged her feet, nervous for the first time since she’d gotten the hair-brained idea to reinvent herself in her head. What had she been thinking? She’d let her hormones do the thinking, that was the problem.
“Geez, Anna. You’re not going to the firing squad, and they only poke hot sticks in your eyes if you wear last season’s wardrobe.”
“What?” Anna squeaked.
“Relax. I’m kidding. I don’t think you’re wearing clothes from this millennia, so they’ll probably take pity on you.” Mel grabbed Anna’s arm and pulled her through the doors.
“Good morning, Mel,” the young man behind the counter said.
“Hi, Paul. Are they all ready for us?”
Paul was a thin man dressed in all black with thick Buddy Holly glasses, and the most awesome shade of pink nail polish was painted on his manicured nails.
“Us?” Anna asked curiously.
“I’m going to get a facial and a massage while you’re getting you hair done. Then we’ll go eat lunch some place that serves calories. All they give you here is wheat germ and bean sprouts,” Mel said in a whisper. “But they have great champagne.”
“It’s nine o’clock in the morning!” Anna said, scandalized by the thought.
“I thought you were turning over a new leaf,” Mel said.
“Maybe I’ll have a mimosa,” Anna said. “That doesn’t count does it?”
“That’s my girl. Now go get styled, and I’ll meet you back out here in a little while.”
Anna watched Mel disappear down a long corridor, and she was left all alone with Paul.
He gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re in very good hands. You’ll be a new woman before you know it. It must be one amazing man to make you want to do all of this.”
“Oh, he’s definitely worth it. I’ve been waiting a long time to feel like this. I’m a little out of the loop, but Mel told me good men with health insurance and all their teeth are hard to find.”
“Honey, don’t I know it,” Paul said, winking. He led her down the opposite corridor from Mel, and they ended up at the far end of the hall. “You’re going to be with Jessica. She’s really talented. You’ll like her.”
Jessica came out to greet her, and Anna almost fainted at the sight of the woman with the shaved head. There was a hawk tattooed on the top of her skull, and her nose and eyebrows had hoops in them.
“I hear we’re doing an overhaul,” Jessica said.
“Y…Yes.” Anna mentally kicked herself for stuttering. It was something she hadn’t started doing until twenty-four hours ago.
“Cool glasses. Do you have to wear them to see?” Jessica asked lifting the glasses off Anna’s face.
“No, they’re only a light prescription. I …” Anna stood flabbergasted as Jessica snapped her glasses right in two.
“They didn’t fit with your new image,” she explained.
“Oh,” Anna said as she held the two broken pieces in her hands.
“Can I get you something to drink before you get started,” Paul asked.
“I’ll take a mimosa. And keep em’ coming,” Anna said, prepared to drink her fears away.
***
Mel dressed in the privacy of one of the dressing rooms, her body relaxed and limber after the massage she’d just received. She couldn’t wait to see Anna. It was long overdue in her opinion.
Mel remembered what Anna was like before her mother’s death. The two of them had been peas in a pod, getting into mischief and talking about boys. But Anna had withdrawn after Mrs. Hollis died. They’d still been friends, but there was always something missing. Mel could already see a difference in Anna in the short time they’d been together that morning. She’d have to find the man that was having this effect on her and shake his hand. Now if she could only find her own man, she’d be all set. Maybe Anna’s dream man had a brother.
Mel waited in the lobby impatiently, pacing back and forth in front of a large fountain.
“Calm down, Mel,” Paul said, like a mother hen. “She looks great. But I think you’re going to have to feed her soon, because she’s had three mimosas.”
“You got her drunk?” Mel asked. “Anna’s never been drunk in her life.”
“Well, she kept asking for them,” Paul said defensively. “Besides, she looked like she needed the extra reinforcement.”
Mel was interrupted by the opening door. Anna stood in the center of it, absolutely breathtaking. “Holy shit,” Mel muttered.
“Don’t you just love it?” Anna asked excitedly, twirling like a ballerina.
Her hair had been highlighted with several shades of dark blonde. It was still the same glorious length it had always been, but Jessica had added layers to lighten up the weight of it slightly. The layers also made it curl riotously down her back. Makeup had been artfully applied to her already beautiful face—enhancing her looks—and her fingernails and toenails were painted bright California Pink, the exact shade that Paul’s were.
“You look amazing,” Mel said.
“I know, can you believe it?” Anna said, without any modesty at all. “My toes are so sexy.”
“Yes, but the flannel shirt and jeans have to go. You passed the grunge stage in the Nineties.”
“Well let’s go shopping then,” Anna said, slurring her words only a little.
“Why don’t we get some lunch first, tiger? Then we’ll hit the mall,” Mel said, laughing at Anna’s tipsy state.
***
Anna started to get her wits back after lunch. “I can’t believe I drank so much. I have to say, though, that it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. We’ll have to do it again. Just not in public next time.”
“Well, I hope you’ve got your credit card handy, because it’s going to be smoking pretty soon,” Mel said.
Anna was amazed at all the clothes and shoes that filled the stores. And to her surprise, Mel led her to areas that suited Anna well. She thought for sure she’d end up with a closet full of tight t-shirts and hip hugging jeans.
She bought several business suits, since she’d decided to take up her father’s offer of working on the owner’s side of Hollis Tools instead of spending so much time in the store. She’d get to travel to all of the stores and check on their progress at least a couple of times a year, and any changes that needed to be made would be her decision. She also bought several casual pieces for everyday wear and shoes to go with everything. The beiges and bland colors that currently lived in her closet were about to be things of the past. Her new wardrobe was an explosion of color, and she’d never seen so many boxes in her life.
“Okay … I want a pair of those jeans you have on,” Anna told Mel.
“Are you sure? They have holes in them.”
“I don’t know why, but I think those jeans are really sexy,” Anna said.
“Well let’s go get a couple of pair and then we’ll look for lingerie.”
Anna was exhausted by the time they made it back to Paradise. She’d never had so much fun in her life. If she couldn’t get Dylan’s attention now, then nothing would. And the lingerie… She’d bought more lingerie than she could possibly use, but she wanted to give Dylan variety, just in case. Of course, she’d need instructions to get some of those contraptions on.
She dropped Mel off at her house, enjoying the tidy neighborhood of older homes. “Thanks for coming with me today,” she said as she hugged Mel tightly. “We’ll do this again very soon.”
“Hell yes, we will,” Mel said. “I want to go with you when you buy your new car. I’ve decided to live vicariously through you. And I really want to meet this man. Just because he’s setting off your hormonal alarms doesn’t mean he’ll pass the Mel test.”
Anna laughed at her outrageous friend, glad she’d called
her to come with her. She’d missed her more than she realized. “You have nothing to worry about. I thoroughly plan to be the one that uses him. I need the practice. I’m not looking for a long term relationship. I just need to get my lust-hazed brain satisfied so I can focus on other things. This guy is killing me.”
Mel was a little surprised by that statement. Anna was not the type of woman to indulge in one night stands, and Mel had a hard time believing that Anna’s heart wouldn’t become involved once she had a physical relationship with this guy. She had commitment written all over her.
“I just want you to be careful. The heart is not something to trifle with.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Anna said, rolling her eyes as she waved and drove away.
Chapter Three
Dylan watched out his window as the silver Mercedes convertible pulled into an available parking spot. He was a little surprised. A car like that didn’t exactly go with the flannel-clad woman he’d seen at the hardware store.
Her choice of cars made him want her even more. He had a weakness for expensive cars, like the Aston Martin that sat covered in his garage. He’d been working too much lately to enjoy the indulgence of a fast drive in such an incredible machine. His work truck served a functional purpose, but it wasn’t exactly a chick magnet.
He’d been ready to combust for the past two weeks, walking around with a permanent hard-on. Anna had filled his dreams with erotic visions and left him wanting like he’d never wanted anyone before.
He’d made extra trips to Hollis Tools over the past two weeks, hoping to get a glimpse of Anna, but she’d been nowhere in sight. Jack had told him she’d taken some time off and wouldn’t be spending so much time in the store in the future, but God, how he’d missed not seeing those luminous eyes tracking his whereabouts.
He closed the blinds and sat down at his desk, trying desperately to look like he was doing something besides fantasizing. Normally, he’d have Mitchell sit in on a client’s first visit so he could start drawing up plans, but he wanted Anna all to himself.
