Anna's POV
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, wincing at the dark circles under my eyes. Last night's insomnia had left its mark clearly visible on my face.
"Annie! How's the preparation going?"
My mother's voice floated down the hallway, filled with excitement. I groaned internally. Elizabeth Shaw had been hovering all morning, micromanaging every aspect of my appearance for today's blind date.
"Almost done," I called back, applying concealer.
For the next hour, I surrendered to my mother's ministrations. When she finished my makeup, I barely recognized myself in the mirror.
"Now you look like a sweet and lovely Anna Shaw," she said with satisfaction.
"I agreed to meet him, didn't I? Can't we keep it simple?" I sighed.
"This one is different," Elizabeth insisted. "I have a good feeling about Gabriel Barrett."
"You had a good feeling about the last two disasters as well," I reminded her.
Mother waved her hand dismissively.