Page 16 of Enjoying the Ride

“My goodness you two ladies are looking perky today,” he says with a low whistle.“Kelly, you’re a goddess—practically glowing.Did you have sex over the weekend?”

Holy shit, what kind of question is this?But my friend takes it in a stride.

“I’m good,” she says in a neutral voice.“I stayed home Saturday, and read a good book Sunday.”

Meanwhile, I grip my knuckles in an effort to keep from smacking Dr.Smiley.What a creep.He just smirks before turning his attention to me, as Kelly flees for the bathroom.

“You know, Posey, that deep purple is not your color.It washes you out completely.”

I give my boss a tight smile.“Well, jewel-tones aren’t really my colors in general,” I point out.Inside, I’m seething.

Such an ugly, gross man, I muse.

In my head, I can’t help but compare Smiley to Trek.Trek is a thousand times better-looking, sure, but really, it’s more about how Trek can point out beauty without being a jerk about it.In fact, with Trek I felt unusually safe—as if, in some strange way, I already know that he cares about me.That his appreciation for my body is genuine.

“Well, maybe I can take you shopping, and help you try on a few things,” Smiley says a little too casually.“Lingerie especially.A good foundation is key to making any outfit look attractive.”

Ugh, gross, I groan inwardly.Is this guy for real?

“You know, that’s very kind, Dr.Smiley,” I say as politely as I can manage.“But I have plenty of clothes, thank you.”I plaster on a fake smile that any idiot could see through.

Unfortunately, Dr.Smiley doesn’t let fakeness deter him.

“Well, I’m a plastic surgeon, Posey.I can see things that you can’t see, and I just think you could use a littleoomph—like Kelly.So that even if you’re wearing colors that make you look pasty, that won’t be the first thing people notice about you.I know women’s bodies extraordinarily well.Trust me, I know beauty and I know what makes a woman sing.”

I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out.I snap it shut once more.

This sleazeball is truly over the top.

Yet Dr.Smiley continues, smiling lasciviously in my direction.

“Your breasts are lovely—so full.There are women who would kill for tits like yours, Posey, but you never seem to show them off.I just know that if you wore the right bra, I could use your figure as an example of attractive décolletage for the clients.”

I feel sick to my stomach but somehow manage to keep my face blank.

“I’m not sure I am comfortable with that,” I manage in a neutral voice.

“Well, I could do a plaster mold.It wouldn’t take long,” Dr.Smiley continues, shiny with perspiration under the fluorescent lights.

“I don’t think so,” I counter, anger seeping into my voice.“In fact—”

I’m just about to tell him off, but then his watch beeps.Dr.Smiley looks down and frowns.“Crap, I’m late for my next consultation.Why didn’t you point out the time, Posey?I pay you for this shit, not to sit around and be useless.”

With that, the vile man disappears behind a door that leads to the consultation rooms.

I exhale deeply, not quite realizing that I had been holding my breath in the first place.

I need a shower.

After another minute, Kelly peeks her head around the corner.“Coast clear?”

I nod.“He’s gone back to see a client.”I glance at the scheduling book.“He’ll be occupied for the next twenty minutes at least, and then he’s supposed to have a lunch meeting right after.”

“Good.”Kelly walks to her chair next to me and sits down with a soft thud.“God, that was just…ick.”

“Yeah.”I shrug, trying to play it all off.“Smiley’s a creep.But hopefully one of us gets this amazing new gig and we pay for the other to come along, too.What was the Caribbean island called?”

My friend smiles widely.“They didn’t say, but I promise that if I win, you’re coming with me.”

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