Chapter 9

“You could do it,” Dez surprised me by saying.

“Do what?”

“Bleach your hair without looking desperate.” Her dark gaze was intense as she looked me over. “You’re cute enough now, but a dye job could really set you off.”

Nobody had ever called me cute before. I wasn’t sure what to do with it. I didn’t think I was bad-looking, and I was a little anal about personal grooming because I’d been terrified as a kid that I’d get picked on if I appeared different in any way, but nobody ever really noticed me as special, either.

Her eyes softened. A moment later, she reached over and killed the stream on her laptop. “Come on.” She hopped to her feet and held out her hand. “Drive me to the store.”

I scooted beyond her reach, suddenly wary. “For what?”

“For supplies. I’m going to bleach you.”

“No.”

“Don’t be a baby. It’s just hair. I mess with color all the time.” She put her hands on her boyish hips. “Are you trying to tell me mine looks like shit?”