My announcement seems to deflate the J girls. Even though they take away waxing from the list of things I “must” do before the auction, the mani pedi, hair, facial and makeup stay.
While a team works on me, Josephine orders up a little food because she doesn’t want me fainting from hunger before the bidding starts. I’m grateful for that, because it takes forever to get ready. Do all the high-society people waste their entire day to look good? If so, I see why they all need assistants, because they’ll never have enough time to get anything d
one. But I shouldn’t be too judgmental. It’s the reason I have a job. A good-paying job. And I know I’m lucky to hold the position when I only have an associate’s degree and a crappy résumé.
Although I still think the facial’s redundant, when the team is finished and I look at myself in the mirror, I totally see the light.
My skin glows. And it’s not from the foundation. No foundation is this good. “Oh wow.”
“Toldja,” Josephine says.
“How much does it cost?” I ask, wondering if I can afford to do it again.
“Don’t worry about it. Nate’s paying.”
I think that’s code for “out of your price range.” Besides, it’s not like I’m going to get another one anytime soon. Maybe on my wedding day.
Josephine helps me squeeze into the pink dress. I’d rather do it alone, but it’s quite fitted around the bodice and hips and sort of tricky to maneuver. The material is thin, though it feels very soft and expensive against my skin. Jun was right to call for commando. I’m not sure if there’s any underwear high-tech enough to really be invisible underneath.
They also take my compromise to put a pink peony in my hair seriously. Their stylist puts my hair up in a loose bun and sticks the flower in. It adds to the ensemble, though. I look like I could blend in quite well at the auction and not appear to be the “hired help,” as Georgette put it.
Josephine sighs wistfully. “Red really would be better.”
“The client isn’t comfortable,” Jun says.
“I love pink,” I say firmly, studying my reflection in the mirror. “And I think I look fine.”
Josephine shakes her head. “No, honey, not yet. You need jewelry.”
Jewelry. It didn’t even occur to me. Guess this is why she’s the expert.
“Diamonds and pearls. Rental or outright purchase?” Josephine asks.
“Rental!” I say before Jun can give an opinion.
She gestures lazily, and four huge glass cases appear, brought by her trusty assistants. Josephine picks out diamond and pearl drop earrings and a matching necklace and bracelet. I put on the earrings, while she hooks the necklace around my neck. A few tiny diamonds and pearl hairpins go into my bun as well.
“Now you look ready,” Josephine announces.
Jun nods.
I have to admit, the jewelry really does complete the look. Josephine and Jun have great taste, despite their eccentricity, and I owe Kim one for hooking me up.
“There’s a limo waiting outside,” Jun says.
“A limo?” I ask blankly. “For what?”
“To take you to the Aylster Hotel.”
What is this? High school prom? “I can drive my car.”
“Unless you own a Bentley or something similar, no, you cannot,” Josephine says. “A limo is an acceptable alternative.”
“Listen to her,” Jun says. “It’s a cost of attending the auction.”
“Okay, has it occurred to anybody that if people just skipped all this limo and high-fashion stuff and just donated the money they spend to get ready to donate, things might be much more efficient?”
“I’m sure it has. But then we would be out of work,” Jun says.