“Especially joking,” she said. “Your subconscious mind doesn’t know the difference. You need to be your own best cheerleader.”

I was impressed by her counsel. There was a lot more to Zoey than I’d given her credit for.

Sitting in my kitchen, Zoey wasn’t the same girl I knew in the office. She was much more funny, relaxed, and vulnerable. She was also sweet. She kept telling me that with my natural beauty I didn’t need a makeover, just a few enhancements. “You don’t make over gorgeous,” she said.

I hadn’t had a girlfriend since Kayla had betrayed me, and it was wonderful to have female companionship again. I wondered if, in spite of the age difference, Zoey and I might be friends. Nicholas had brought me out of my cave, and I was going to need someone to do things with after our contract expired.

Zoey worked on my hair for over an hour and experimented with several shades of lipstick before finding the right one. Finally, she stepped back and scrutinized me like a sculptor examining her creation. She nodded, then said, “Oh my, Elise. You should look at yourself.”

I walked out to the hall mirror. I couldn’t believe it. “I look pretty,” I said.

“No, you look hot. He’s in serious trouble.”

While I was helping her pack up her things, Zoey said, “You and Nick are such a great couple. If you want, I’ll help you with your makeup at your wedding.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. Finally I said, “I would like that.”

Zoey left just a few minutes before Nicholas arrived. He rang the doorbell at seven. “Come in,” I shouted, wanting to present myself properly.

He let himself in. “Hi, it’s me.”

“I’ll be out in just a minute. Help yourself to the fridge. I think there’s some soda and juice.”

A moment later he said, “There’s something green in a blender pitcher. Is it supposed to be green?”

“It’s not mold,” I said. “It just looks like it. That’s my kale drink.”

“Looks like kale,” he said, which sounded like ‘Looks like hell,’ which I think was his intent. “How was your day?”

“Good.”

“What did you do?”

“Not much,” I said. “Zoey came over.”

“After the other night, I’m surprised that you two are talking.”

“She apologized for coming on to you.”

I spritzed myself with perfume, took a good look at myself, then walked out into my front room. Nicholas was sitting on my couch. He immediately stood. “Wow.”

“What?” I asked innocently.

“You look amazing.”

I smiled. “Shall we go?”