Cheesecake and Teardrops Read Free

drinks—Tangie’s Sex on the Beach, Charisma’s Long Island iced tea, and Heather’s seltzer water. When she left, they raised their glasses in their customary toast. In unison they said, “Behind every successful woman is herself.”
    â€œI know that’s right,” Heather agreed. “So what’s new?”
    â€œBlade and I celebrate our two-year anniversary next week.” Tangie smiled.
    â€œI’m not sure if I should congratulate you or offer my condolences. The minute he gave you that recycled Valentine’s Day teddy bear with some other chick’s name on it, you should have kicked him to the curb. It’s October, and you’re still seeing him?” Heather shook her head.
    â€œCut him loose,” Charisma agreed, biting into a biscuit.
    â€œI will. Eventually,” Tangie promised.
    â€œWho is she kidding?” Heather looked at Charisma. “Tangie, he’s not the only man out there.”
    â€œI know, but he’s got some sweet meat,” Tangie admitted.
    â€œThen suffer the consequences. You know how he is.” Heather stirred her seltzer with a straw.
    Tangie shook her head. “All I wanna know is, who let the dogs out?”
    â€œDoesn’t matter. Why do you keep letting them in?” Charisma asked.
    Finally, their appetizers came—mozzarella sticks and stuffed mushrooms. They dived right in, all except for Heather.
    â€œHeather, you’re not eating. What’s up?” Charisma asked.
    â€œI’m skipping the appetizers. I’m on a new diet. I’m supposed to lose ten pounds in two weeks,” Heather admitted.
    â€œEating what?” Charisma asked.
    â€œMostly broiled seafood, baked chicken, salad, and I take a supplement before every meal. I gotta get this weight off. The holidays are coming.” Heather took another sip of seltzer.
    Tangie quickly said grace and bit into a cheese stick. “How much are you trying to lose?”
    â€œI’m about two-twenty now, but I would love to get down to one-sixty,” Heather said.
    â€œOne-sixty on a five-foot-seven-inch frame? You’d be hot. You should come to the gym and work out. You’d lose the weight in no time,” Tangie suggested.
    â€œAs huge as I am? Imagine me waddling around the gym. It’s not a pretty sight,” Heather admitted.
    â€œHeather, the average woman is a size fourteen,” Charisma reminded her.
    â€œPlease,” Tangie told her. “Look at you. You’re gorgeous. You have flawless, creamy skin, beautiful almond-shaped eyes, and a head of hair most women would die for. Count your blessings. So you’re a little overweight. You can lose it. Lots of women have lost more. And what’s in those pills you’re taking, anyway? Are they safe?”
    â€œI bought them from the health food store. They’re fine,” Heather said. “Where’s our dinner? I’m starving.”
    â€œHave a mushroom. One can’t hurt,” Charisma said.
    â€œNo, I’ll pass,” Heather decided.
    â€œIf you change your mind and wanna hit the gym, let me know. I can get you a really good deal. Just say the word.”
    Tangie, who worked at Canyon’s Club, told her.
    â€œOkay, enough about me. Did you get that promotion, Charisma?” Heather asked.
    â€œNo, I didn’t get this one, either,” Charisma said. “Guess who did?”
    â€œWho?” Tangie and Heather both asked.
    â€œChase Martini. Miss Crappuccino strikes again.” Charisma shook her head.
    â€œWhat excuse did they give this time?” Tangie asked.
    â€œMy boss claimed that she was better qualified and that she had completed more extensive special assignments than me. Who’s he kidding? She’s a part-timer who spends half of her day on her cell.” Charisma grabbed another mozzarella stick. “The only special assignments she’s been on lately have been in