Esther stood in front of her bathroom mirror at five-fifteen on Tuesday morning, the puffiness around her eyes helpless. Everyone who looked at her would be able to see it, and she’d just put on her sunglasses and go to the beach like she had yesterday if she didn’t have to play chauffeur for Fisher and Stacey.
He’d contacted her and asked her to help him with his surprise proposal. Esther had agreed, of course, but then she’d dug out a carton of ice cream and eaten in the hammock by herself, her feet trailing in the dirt as she tried to forget the things that had been said in that very spot.
She showered, brushed her teeth, put on her oils. She dressed, and styled her hair just so, and made her face look flawless with the help of some great cosmetics. By the time she finished her routin
