By four o'clock, the girls had done what they were going to do in the kitchen and turned it over to the guys, going upstairs to get ready for dinner.
Lauren had to admit it was fun, although kind of intimidating at first.
Brennan caught her eye
and smiled.
"I never, ever thought I'd have girly girl time,
either, but…it's fun, every once in awhile."
Lauren smiled, remembering what she'd said about being alone for many years. She decided to go for it.
"Okay, Lauren, so…no haircut for you." Cara teased, and Angela laughed at the blush on her face, "but how about if we straighten it. Do you ever do that?"
"Um, no. My hair, it's not really curly or straight. It's just naturally…I don't know, annoying, so whatever you think is good will be fine, I'm sure."
Angela rubbed her hands
together, and Brennan groaned good naturedly, "Lauren, you don't
know what you're saying."
They all laughed.
By seven, dinner was served and Lauren came down to the dining room. She gasped when she saw how lovely it was. The table was dark wood and centered with candles. Each chair was crafted with amazing delicacy, and the food looked amazing.
"Lauren…you look stunning." Jared entered the room behind her. She turned and smiled at him.
"Thanks. Your brother
told me you all dressed up for dinner on Thanksgiving, so I was
hoping this would work."
"It does, believe me." He said as
he escorted her to a chair across from Parker.
He looked very handsome in a dark gray sweater and white dress shirt, open at the collar.
Parker felt like he'd been punched in the stomach. She was sitting across from him, in a soft, cotton, jersey dress. The navy color was fantastic against her skin. Skin he knew the taste of. Her dress was fitted on top and through the waist, but more flowy to her knees. It almost reminded him of Cara's old ballet dresses. But it was her hair that he felt weak from. Angela and Cara had worked some female magic over it, and it was sleek and long and gathered over one shoulder. He couldn't keep his eyes off of it, now that he knew what it felt like.
