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“Trust rinned, picked up her phone, and startedcalls

Chapter 2

Six and a half hours later, Elle stood in front of the full-length dressing mirror in Penelope’s Manhattan apart at Honest to God, Elle hadn’t thought her friend’s makeover would be possible in such a short a available and called in every outstanding favor owed to her in order to turn Elle fro She’d never felt so glaeous in her entire life

Their first stop this afternoon after leaving the office had been to Penelope’s favorite vintage clothing shop, where the owner had pulled three possible gently used ball gowns for Elle to try on The first two had been pretty, but the moment she’d slipped into the dreamy purple dress,

she’d known it was the one and Penelope’s gasp of awe confirmed Elle’s intuition

The design was strapless, leaving her shoulders bare, with a crystal-embellished bodice that fitted perfectly to her ae yet still holding theht fro her curvy figure, and froht, airy lavender chiffon flowed to the floor around her feet like a soft cloud of fabric

Elle’s blonde hair had been cut and highlighted by an available stylist at Penelope’s salon who’d worked on her treatirl had gently swept the front of Elle’s hair away from her face and secured those loose strands at the crown of her head with a few crystal-encrusted pins and co shop, on the sly and as a surprise for Elle The rest of her hair tu waves The overall effect was a soft and romantic style that was both classic and sophisticated

Another technician did her nails, while aand shaping her unruly brows, then creating a soft, natural look that enhanced her features and made her skin appear as smooth as porcelain The kohl liner, plum shadow, and teer and bluer than normal

Just when Elle thought they were done at the salon, another woman led her down a hallway to a private room, where she informed Elle that Penelope had paid for a full wax serviceand Elle had to laugh, because there had been no reason to shave anything s or aret that lucky tonight But by the tirid was done, Elle had to ad s

Penelope walked into the bedroo a few pieces of jewelry in her hands, and Elle iving credit where it was due “I can’t believe it, but you odmother,” she teased

“Of course I a, rightly so as she clasped a double-stranded pearl and crystal necklace around Elle’s throat, then added the o to that fairy-tale ball and have the best night of your life”

“Yes, ma’am” Elle stood still as Penelope adorned her ears with a pair of dangling earrings that coh-end costu on the dresser

“And now, for the pièce de résistance,” Penelope said with a perfect French accent as she opened the lid with a flourish to reveal the pair of white satin heels that had been completely embellished in aurora borealis crystals, which her friend found at the vintage shop on the clearance rack, of all places Not only had they been Elle’s size, but they’d been a steal of a price, and Penelope claimed them as meant to be

Penelope set the pair on the floor and Elle stepped into theently worn, but all the little dazzling jeere surprisingly intact With them on Elle’s feet, the heels were hidden beneath the heown, except for when she took a step and they peeked out, giving a glimpse of brilliant shimmer and sparkle that would undoubtedly capture people’s attention

Once she was completely decked out, Penelope took hold of both of Elle’s hands, her expression suddenly very serious “You look breathtaking, Elle Now go and find your Prince Char”