Janelle shook her head, laughing. “Okay. Go for it. Maybe I should close my eyes?”
“Sure,” Emma murmured, already distracted.
Janelle felt the scissors running across her forehead first before Emma started cutting away at the length.
Another five minutes later, Janelle was startled when she finally opened her eyes. “Holy…” She huffed out a breath. “I look good.” Her hair was cut short, not quite to her shoulders, and Emma had quickly updated Janelle’s style by brushing her hair back from one side and adding some long wispy bangs.
Emma grinned. “No, you look great.”
Janelle pursed her lips as Emma put down the scissors and opened her makeup bag.
Exactly ten minutes later, when they walked out from Emma’s room, both Janelle and Emma laughed when Ciara’s jaw dropped.
It was amazing how such little effort from Emma had made a huge difference in her appearance, Janelle thought. Since she rarely wore makeup, she’d been impressed at how simple the process had been for Emma as she’d been applying a minimal amount of eye shadow, liner and lipstick to Janelle’s face, giving Janelle pointers at the same time.
“She looks absolutely gorgeous,” Ciara exclaimed.
“She has the bone structure of a model,” Emma said dryly.
Janelle was feeling slightly uncertain, glancing at Ciara. “Do I really look as good as I think I do? It was such a little amount of makeup.”
“I think you look beautiful,” Ciara admitted. “But I’m curious. How come you’ve never worn makeup?”
Janelle grimaced. “My upbringing. My father was a minister and he was rather old school when it came to things like makeup or perfume. Plus, we had a large family. There were six of us. I have two brothers and three younger sisters, and something like makeup was considered an unnecessary luxury.”
“It’s funny how we’ve never talked about your family,” Emma said, studying Janelle’s face. “You’ve got such great eyes to work with. You sure you’ll remember what I’ve done so you can do it yourself?”
“Oh, yeah,” Janelle murmured. “Thank you, Emma. I don’t know why I was so nervous about having you do this for me.”
Emma shrugged, laying her hands over Janelle’s shoulders. “Never hesitate to ask me for anything. You two are my closest friends, even though I don’t see very much of either one of you anymore. And, hey, if you hadn’t liked the look, all you would have had to do is wipe off the makeup.”
Rolling her eyes, Janelle nodded her agreement.
“One more thing,” Emma murmured. “The jeans look good, but how about wearing something other than that t-shirt? If you don’t have anything, maybe Ciara has something you can borrow?”
“I sure do,” Ciara said, grinning. “It won’t be the first time I’ve offered.”
“Alright, already,” Janelle answered. “Have you got something a little less frilly than what you’re wearing?”
“You call this blouse I have on frilly?” Ciara laughed, fingering the loose collar. “I’m thinking it’s the sheerness that you’re probably not comfortable with.”
Janelle grinned. “I guess I do tend to stick with plain and simple.”
Emma snorted. “I’ll say. You must own a solid color t-shirt in every dark color that was ever made available.”
Everyone laughed.
Finally, Janelle gave in. “Alright. I’ll wear whatever you two suggest, without complaining.”
“Okay. Let’s see what’ll work,” Ciara answered.
“Just hurry,” Janelle muttered. “I’m ready to get out of here. Isn’t this supposed to be a vacation?”
Everyone laughed again.
Chapter Five
They’d decided to make it a short night, since Nick and Jack’s flight back to the states would be taking off early the next morning. Suka Espresso was the restaurant Rand chose for their last night on the island; not just because it was close to home, but because he thought the food was great and atmosphere even better.
After Rand talked to the hostess about their reservations, the three of them were soon walking outside along a series of platforms and ramps leading to the main deck. There was plenty of privacy amidst the trees, with tiers of cozy seating, not to mention spectacular views from all directions.
The place was beautiful, Jack thought. Wouldn’t it be great to set up a restaurant like this somewhere in the states?
But as they went to follow their hostess toward the isolated table which had been reserved for the three of them, Nick glanced in the opposite direction, where Jack noticed a familiar redhead was seated with the blonde, along with the lovely woman Jack had been admiring earlier.
There was something changed about the way she looked tonight, he realized. Her hair was differently styled, so that might have been it, but it could have been the sundress she was wearing, which made her look sexy and super feminine.
After the hostess escorted them to their table and began walking away, Nick nudged Rand in the ribs. “Is that who I think it is?”
Rand grinned. “It sure is.”
At that moment, the redhead turned.
“Her friends are good-looking too,” Jack murmured. “What do you say, guys? Should we see if they want to join us?”
“Sounds good to me,” Nick murmured. “Check out the blonde. God, she’s hot.”
Jack snorted. “I was angling for the classy taller one myself.”
Strangely, they didn’t look surprised to see them there, Jack realized. He wondered if Rand had mentioned they would be eating here tonight when he’d spoken with the redhead?
“Alright,” Rand answered. “Our table is a little larger, and the location more secluded. Let me see what they have to say if I invite them to eat with us?”
“Sounds good,” Nick said, sitting down at the table.
Jack took a seat opposite from Nick and grinned, leaving empty seats on either side of them.
Rand rolled his eyes before walking over to the
