Page 8 of Purrfectly Bound

“Sure.”

“Is everyone here beautiful?

“Ha, you’re funny,” Pamela laughed, ignoring her question, “Hmm. Your hair is good, but I think you could use a trim, and a conditioning treatment.”

“Can you blow it out? I kind of have a date tonight,” she bit her lip again.

“Absolutely,” Pamela grinned, “so, Gerri set you up?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, we better get to work. This could be a lifechanging event,” Pamela said.

The woman must be teasing her, Anna thought and sighed. But she was kind and friendly. Settling into the salon chair, closing her eyes as the stylist worked her magic, she allowed herself to float.

Sandra had left three text messages that morning. She wanted to know if Annalia was finished being selfish, and when she was coming home. Her sister was always doing things like that.

She’d been making her sign these papers for years about her husband’s business and the loans for school. This last packet was super long and complicated. She hadn’t had a chance to look it over. Besides, there was no rush, she was done with graduate school.

Having earned a scholarship with her excellent grade point average, the loan was unnecessary. But Glenn insisted she continue to sign papers. Typically, she did it to keep them all on friendly terms, but once she’d moved, she’d forgotten about it.

Calling her selfish was the last straw. One payment left. Then she wouldn’t owe them a thing. Anna was going to studiously ignore her condescending big sister until then.

That last comment really took the cake. Her selfish? All she wanted to do was work on her graphic designs and be happy. Why did Sandra always have to try and make her feel guilty for that?

She was thirty-years old. Not a child anymore. She wanted her own life, and her own chance to find happiness. What was wrong with that?

“Nothing at all, honey,” Pamela said sympathetically, and Annalia blushed.

She’d spoken aloud. Darn it, she really hated to air her dirty laundry, but she supposed that was a side effect of hair salons.

“You know it is. We’re like therapists, but better because we make you look good too,” Pamela winked, “Look, big sisters mean well I am sure, but we all have a right to happiness and love. Now, you take it from someone who owes her own happiness to Gerri Wilder, you are in excellent hands.”

“I sure hope so.”

“I know so,” she answered, “now what do you think?”

Pamela spun the salon chair around, and Anna gasped. Her mass of wild brown curls was completely transformed into a glossy, sleek blow-out that curled around the ends like a 1950s glam girl.

“Oh my, is that really me?”

The look emphasized her big, brown eyes, bringing attention to her full lips and high cheekbones. Her face was a little round, but she was a bigger girl. Her Italian heritage shown in her straight nose and olive-tone skin.

“Yes, it is you,” Pamela patted her belly.

“Damn, girl,” the other stylist came running over and high-fived his co-worker, “you look fine as hell. Way to go, Pam!”

“Thanks, Marion, I used that gloss you suggested.”

“Well, that’s fine and good, but Annalia here had the gorgeous locks, honey.”

“That she does,” Pam agreed.

“Thank you!”

Annalia was all smiles as she left with her bags and new hairstyle. Gerri had sent the car back for her, complete with hunky driver. He’d introduced himself as Hank and placed her bags in the trunk. Anna was a little shy of him. He was big and strong. Definitely a Shifter. But Gerri had vouched for him.

Still, the matchmaker was noticeably absent. The ride to the rental was quick, and she hardly noticed until he held her door open.

“Miss?”

“Oh, thank you,” she smiled.

Hank carried her bags to the porch, and she waved goodbye. She’d just go rest a bit before she got dressed. Who knew going shopping could be so much fun? Certainly, it never was in her experience. Then again, Sandra had always been there to let her know what a woman with her figure should and should not wear.

Sigh.Well, if her sister could see the racy, sexy, and surprisingly comfortable choices she’d made, she would probably drop dead on sight! LOL.

Ouch. That was mean. She was sure Sandra loved her, in her own way. But Annalia was exceedingly happy to be out of Florida, and away from the nagging negativity that was her sister.

Getting acclimated to the colder climate was a little difficult with her asthma, but she was getting better every day. A breathing treatment and a little down time before her big date was just what she needed.