Laredo's Sassy Sweetheart Read Online Free

think you’ve caught that man’s eye.”
    Katy glanced up, horrified. “Do not say that. He is not my type at all.”
    “What is your type?”
    Stanley came to mind, but Katy tossed that thought violently out of her brain. “I haven’t figured it out yet. But I’m certain I’ll know it when I see it.” She blew her bangs away from her forehead.“These bangs will not grow fast enough to suit me.”
    “Why are you letting them grow out? They suit your face and showcase your eyes.”
    “I look like a little girl. I don’t want to look like that anymore.” She handed a picture to her friend of a model dressed like a ballerina, her hair pulled away from her face in a severe topknot. “That’s the way I want to look.”
    “Like you haven’t had a good meal in a month?”
    Katy snatched the paper back. “Elegant. Sophisticated.”
    “Like you don’t give a damn.”
    “Exactly.” Katy nodded. “I don’t.”
    “Now you just have to convince yourself.”
    “Right.”
    “What a bozo that Stanley must have been.” Hannah sighed and got to her feet. “Listen, pulling your hair back until you look like a scarecrow isn’t going to give you the mature edge you’re looking for.”
    “You have a suggestion for maturing a permanent baby face?”
    “No. The baby face is not the problem—and, by the way, it’s called a cute face. There’s nothing baby about you. Your challenge is to become more daring. Daring. Remember that word.”
    Katy raised a brow.
    “You’re masking your real worry by making it a hair issue, something all women do, and sometimes men, as well. The key is to face the issue dead-on,and pin it on the body part where it actually belongs. It’s never a hair issue. Could be the brain, could be the breasts, could be your—”
    “I don’t need a body catalogue,” Katy interrupted.
    “So, where’s your real issue?”
    “My heart.”
    “Not possible. Choosing the heart is a stall tactic. It means you’re still transposing and referring your denial. The heart is not part of the equation, as it is only a label for people’s emotions. A visual, if you will.”
    “I don’t know if I will or not.” Katy groaned, unwilling to go down the path. “My womanhood,” she finally said. “If I’d been more of a woman, even Becky couldn’t have gotten Stanley away from me.”
    “That’s a myth, you know. Women successfully steal men all the time. It doesn’t take much effort.”
    “I will never believe that. There are a few men out there who have antitheft devices on their hearts.”
    “Yes, but we’re not talking about their hearts, and I have it on good authority that antitheft devices do not fit on a man’s p—”
    “All right!” Katy interrupted. “So any man is ripe for the picking. Then what’s the point of me trying to overcome my issue if their issue is unsolvable?”
    “Because once you develop more confidence, your chance of a man ever straying from you is dramatically diminished. You put a certain amount ofcolor on a lady’s hair to diminish her gray, don’t you?”
    “Yes,” Katy said uncertainly.
    “Well, you have to wear confidence to attract and keep someone you love. Become a bright, new color. Remember our new word— daring. ”
    “Lack of confidence was not why Stanley married Becky.”
    “He did that because he was already at the church, the guests had flown in, his mother was wearing Bob Mackie, and you, my sweet gullible angel, had footed the bill as the bride. Plus, he still had a smile on his face from what had occurred in the bridal changing room. Strategically, if he couldn’t wait another five minutes or so to enjoy your virginity, I’m thinking he didn’t have much staying power for the long haul. Not that I’m judging him, exactly, since I have never met him. However, sometimes actions speak louder than words, and I sincerely believe your wedding day was one of those loud action moments.” Hannah examined her nails casually. “By the way,