Dream's End Read Free

she’d known Jim, he’d never been able to keep a secret from her. They were only friends, but it was a close kind of friendship, and she genuinely cared about him.
    â€œJim, what is it?” she probed softly, her green eyes holding his intently.
    He smirked. “All right, I need a little help. Just a little, just this once,” he said quickly.
    Her eyes widened and she smiled. “Why you old rooster,” she laughed. “You want to make someone jealous!”
    He turned beet red. “Well…”
    She laughed. “Jim, my friend, for you I’ll do the very best I can. But don’t expect miracles,” she called over her shoulder. “For that you need good raw material to start with!”
    She had gowns and she kept makeup, but tonight was the first time in her life she’d ever tried deliberately to look attractive. It was new, and a little frightening, and she had a sudden premonition that things would change beyond recognition if she went through with it. But after all, Jim had never turned his back on her when she needed help. He was every bit as rich as Curry, but so much more approachable. And she owed it to him. She began to take down her hair.

Two
    S he took out the long, white chiffon gown she’d been saving for a rainy day. It was low cut in a V-neck, sleeveless and fell seductively around her slender figure. Her feet were encased in white high-heeled sandals with a beading of rhinestones on the straps.
    She sat down in front of her mirror, looking curiously at the stranger she saw there—her long, waving hair tumblingdown around her shoulders, her eyes bigger and more feminine without the protective glasses. She applied just a touch of eye shadow and lipstick. And when she was through, she stared at herself with astonishment. Remembering her mother’s valiant efforts to keep her from using “paint” or emphasizing her assets, she felt a pang of pure guilt at the way she looked. There was a sensuous air about her that had never been apparent before, and the white chiffon left a lot of soft, honey-colored skin bare. Before she could change her mind about it, she grabbed her lacy shawl and pearl clutch bag and hurried downstairs.
    Jim turned when he heard her footsteps and froze where he stood at the bottom of the staircase, looking up at her as if he’d never seen a woman before.
    â€œWell,” he said finally, on a hard sigh. “Well, well! I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything that could top that transformation,” he said, shaking his head. “Norie,have you always looked like that, or do you have some magical device upstairs?”
    â€œA fairy godmother,” she whispered conspiratorially. “But don’t tell anyone.”
    â€œCinderella, is it?” He laughed. “Come hop into my horseless carriage, you gorgeous thing, and I’ll take you to the ball!”
    She did feel like Cinderella, even if Jim’s sleek blue convertible wasn’t exactly a golden coach. He took her to the Limelight Club, one of the better restaurants. They sat in a private alcove surrounded by live plants.
    Looking at her, Jim shook his head and sighed, his dark eyes still disbelieving. “I knew you were pretty,” he said with his usual candor, “but I didn’t know you were a potential Miss World. Why the rags and cinders all this time, Cinderella?” he asked.
    She shrugged. “I’ve never wanted to impress anyone,” she admitted with atiny smile. “My mother was devoutly religious. She felt that vanity was the greatest sin, and she taught me to under-emphasize my assets.”
    â€œDoes it embarrass you to look pretty?” he asked.
    She blushed. “I didn’t know I did.”
    He laughed. “I’m glad I had this idea,” he remarked, letting his eyes trace her lovely features, her smooth shoulders.
    â€œWho are we working on?” she asked as the waiter left