Anna

“The Grumpy Monk? What kind of place is that?” I ask Desirae, tucking the phone in between my shoulder and face as I take the groceries out of the bags and put them away.

“It’s a fun place,” she insists. “A place we’re going tonight where we’re going to get drunk and sing bad karaoke and pick up hot guys.”

“I can’t go, Dee. Seriously. Karaoke? Have you met me?”

“Okay, fine. Forget the karaoke, but just…come out with me for once! At the very minimum, we can eat and have a drink.”

I stop and think. I feel lighter than I have in years, and going out with one of my best friends sounds like the perfect end to this emotional day.

“You know what? I think we should go out tonight. Take me to The Mad Priest. Let’s have a drink. Not sure about the karaoke though. But we’ll find a hot guy for you.”

“It’s The Grumpy Monk,” she corrects me.

“Whatever.”

“Really?” I can hear her smile through the phone line.

“Really.”

We plan what time to meet, and then I hang up and face my closet.

What does one wear to a place called The Grumpy Monk? Honestly, I have no idea.

My wardrobe is pretty lopsided, containing a huge number of comfortable clothes and two fancy dresses and pretty much nothing in between. I don’t really go out, and Desirae knows this. Besides, I’m not planning on picking up any guys. It’s just dinner and a drink with my best friend. A baggy book T-shirt and jeans win the contest over a baggy plain T-shirt and sweats.

I blow-dry my hair straight as opposed to just letting it air dry, apply a swipe of lip gloss on my lips, and call myself ready.

Surprisingly, The Grumpy Monk is fairly close by. I debate on walking, but the air is humid, and the clouds overhead are angry, as if it might start pouring at any second, so I drive instead. Desirae is walking up the same time I am, so I call out to her. She spins to greet me and freezes, staring at my outfit.

“What the fuck are you wearing?” She looks spectacular in a breezy white top that hangs off one shoulder, a flowy blue skirt that flatters her figure, and strappy black sandals I’d probably tangle into knots while trying to fasten them. She looks casual but sexy.

On the other hand, I look casual and…frumpy. I give her a sheepish look and shrug. “Will I do?”

One eyebrow rises higher than the other in a you’ve got to be kidding me look.

“Um, no. This is what you chose out of your closet to wear out?”

I finger the hem of my T-shirt. “I’m comfortable.”

“Yeah, you should be. That shirt is three sizes too big. Come with me.” She takes my arm and pulls me in through the entrance, past the bar, down a hall, and into the ladies’ room with a familiarity that tells me she’s been here many times. She positions me in front of the sink and looks me over with a critical eye.

“Um, what are you doing?”

“Seeing what I have to work with.” She rummages through her purse and pulls out a makeup bag.

“No, I don’t want to wear any makeup. I have on lip gloss; that’s the extent of my makeup.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Just stay still, and shut up, would you?” She digs out an egg-shaped sponge with a long handle on it and squirts something under my eyes and on my chin. Then, she pulls out a different bottle and blots something on my forehead, nose, and cheeks. Her brows furrow in concentration as she uses the egg sponge to blend it all together, tilting my chin up and down and side to side as she goes.

Then, comes the eye shadow.

“Please don’t make me look overdone. I don’t really like this stuff. You know that.”

“Anna. Shut it. I’m doing your makeup tonight. Just go with it.”

She’s so fierce, I almost laugh, but she tells me to hold still again.

After suffering through eyeliner and mascara application, she seems satisfied with my face. She stares at my body, arms crossed over her chest, finger tapping her lip as she tries to come up with a plan on how to make my attire more…presentable.

“Seriously, Anna? All I care about are books and maybe like three people?”

“What? It’s one of my favorite book shirts.”

“And you thought you’d wear it out?”

“You said we were just grabbing a bite to eat and a drink! Why do I have to dress up for that?”

“There’s a time and place for everything, babe. You can wear this to work only because we work in a bookstore!” She closes her eyes and sighs, as if she can’t even believe me. “Are you wearing a tank top under there?”

“No.”

“A bra?”

“Yes, I’m wearing a bra.”

“Show me.”

“Um, no. I’m not taking off this shirt and just wearing my bra in there!” I splutter. I mean, the makeup is bad enough.

“Okay, fine. Turn around.”

I reluctantly comply, turning to face the painted cinder-block walls of the restroom. She pulls at the waist of my shirt, tugging it backward so that the front of my shirt is tight against my torso.

“What are you doing?”

“Giving you a waistline.” She tugs and twists, and it stays that way, hugging my waist.

“But what did you do?” I crane my neck to look behind me. Did she have a sewing kit in her purse? It wouldn’t surprise me.

“Oh, calm down. I just tied it in a knot.” She turns me so that I’m facing her again. Her eyes light up with an idea, and I’m afraid of what she’s going to say before she says it. “Can I cut the neckline?”

“No! You are not cutting my favorite book shirt!”

“Okay, okay. Now, look at yourself!”

I slowly turn to the mirror, expecting my reflection to look like a clown.

Instead, I find a gorgeous woman staring back at me! My jaw falls open as I check myself out. The dark circles under my eyes are gone, my cheekbones look fantastic, and my eyes look bigger than ever. My skin seems to glow. And the shirt that was three sizes too big now hugs my midsection, making me look…curvy.

I turn to Desirae in shock. “How is my skin glowing?”

She beams. “Highlighter.”

“And my dark circles?”

“Concealer.”

“What the hell did you do to my cheekbones?” I tilt my head, marveling at the girl in the mirror.

“A little bit of contouring goes a long way.”

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about. Contouring?”

“It doesn’t even matter. Do you like it?”

I reluctantly nod. “I’m gorgeous for once.”

She hugs me tight. “You’re always gorgeous. I just accented your best features.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, let’s go have some fun, okay?”

I squeeze her back. “Okay.”