Cheesecake and Teardrops Read Free Page A

somebody’s bed, probably his. Thank goodness he’s history. Come to think of it, the last three promotions were filled by whites. I’m sick of it. It’s almost like they belong to a sect. Who do they think they are, the privileged sect? I’m ready to file a discrimination complaint.”
    â€œSometimes that can hurt your career,” Heather said.
    â€œI just want some answers,” Charisma admitted. “Oh, they just hired a new manager in my department.”
    â€œWhite?” Tangie asked.
    â€œNo, a brother, actually,” Charisma said.
    â€œInteresting. What’s he like?” Tangie asked.
    Charisma smiled, recalling how she had beat him out of a parking space that first day. “I was so embarrassed.”
    â€œWell, at least he knows you can maneuver your way into a tight spot,” Tangie said. “Men like that kind of information.”
    â€œA few days later he asked me to show him some of the city’s hot spots.” Charisma grinned.
    â€œSee, I told you,” Tangie said. “But we all know which hot spot he was really talking about. What’s he like?”
    â€œHe’s tall, nice build, pretty brown skin,” Charisma said.
    â€œJust your type.” Heather smiled.
    â€œDoes he have tight sugar buns?” Tangie asked
    â€œI wasn’t looking there,” Charisma exclaimed.
    â€œWell, you should have been, ’cause you know he was scoping yours. As much as you’re packing back there? Please, you could run the Big Apple from your back pocket,” Tangie told her.
    â€œAnd you could light the city with your DD headlights, honey. No need for Con Ed,” Charisma said, referring to the utility giant.
    â€œYou two are so bad.” Heather laughed.
    The waitress returned with their entrées: Charisma’s shrimp scampi, Tangie’s creamy crabmeat Alfredo, and Heather’s broiled salmon. Charisma and Tangie dug right in.
    Heather downed a diet pill first.
    â€œI bet your boss’ll ask you out,” Tangie said.
    â€œI bet he will too,” Heather agreed. “It’s just a matter of time.” She cut into her salmon and chewed slowly, savoring every bite.
    â€œAnd you know what they say. The woman decides when a relationship will begin,” Tangie said.
    â€œI know. And the man usually decides when it’ll end. But in this case there’ll be no end ’cause there’ll be no beginning,” Charisma insisted.
    â€œBut Charisma, you could have so much fun,” Tangie said, swirling her pasta.
    â€œHow do you know? You haven’t even met the man,” Charisma said.
    â€œDon’t have to. Imagine dating your boss. It’s the forbidden fruit thing,” Tangie told her.
    â€œForbidden fruit? I’m not trying to get in a jam. You know, I make my phone call first thing every payday morning to make sure my direct deposit is there,” Charisma said, referring to what they called their single-girl call. “I need my job. And besides, you know I’m seeing Dex.”
    â€œSee them both,” Tangie insisted.
    â€œAnd divide the pie?” Charisma asked, enjoying her shrimp scampi. “Uh-uh.”
    â€œWell, it’s not like they don’t do it to us,” Tangie said, rolling her eyes.
    â€œYou wanna know something?” Heather asked without waiting for an answer. “Dex is nice and all, and I know he suits your needs, but you’re settling.”
    â€œAnd you think I should give my boss a shot?” Charisma asked.
    â€œWhy not? What have you got to lose?” Heather shrugged.
    â€œYou’re both crazy.” Charisma shook her head.
    â€œWe just want to see you get swept off your feet,” Tangie said. “One of us deserves it.”
    â€œYou’re all business,” Heather told Charisma. “So what could be better than meeting the man of your dreams at work?”
    â€œHaven’t you heard that