Bosom Bodies (Mina's Adventures) by Maria Grazia Swan Read Free Book Online Page B

a doctor?”
    “Who are you talking to?” Margo asked from the bedroom door.
    “Is someone there with you?” Brian said.
    “It’s Brian,” she said to Margo. “Margo is here to help me out,” she said to Brian.
    “Margo is spending the night? You must be very sick. And I’m stuck here, doing nothing constructive. Our passports were taken.”
    “What do you mean taken?”
    “Stolen. Both Mom’s and mine. We have no passports. We must wait until we get duplicates from the American Embassy. You have no idea how badly I want to get back to California. It’s snowing here.”
    Mina’s head was exploding. She needed reassurance, not more stress. She couldn’t find any empathy for Brian’s plight. In a way, she thought he had it coming.
    “Brian, I am so sorry, I can’t help you. I wish I could, but I’m not feeling well at all. I need to hang up.” Click.

Chapter 7
     
    Mina woke to the smell of coffee. Margo? She must have spent the night on the couch. Such kindness and loyalty were very moving. She got out of bed, and stood. She felt well enough to walk down the hall, a much easier walk than the one she'd taken the morning before. Sunshine hurt her eyes. She could see the patio door slightly open, and Margo out on the terrace, a mug in her hand, looking over the low wall that separated Mina’s terrace from the neighbors’. Except, there was no neighbor. The condo next to hers was vacant.
    Margo’s lips moved. Maybe she was humming a song.
    “ Hi Margo.” Mina stuck her head out the sliding door.
    “There you are.” Margo looked genuinely happy to see her, yet the wide smile seemed directed at the empty neighboring terrace. Who was she waving at?
    Before Mina could ask, Margo came back in. She wore the same clothes she had on the day before, full make up, and hair that looked like she just left a stylist’s chair. Good old Margo.
    “You never told me how handsome your neighbor is.” Margo's chandelier earrings hit her neck every time she moved her head.
    “I didn’t tell you because I don’t have a neighbor. The place next to mine is for rent.”
    “Was for rent. The man’s a real charmer. He is single. Yes siree, dark, handsome and single. Trifecta, I tell you.” She adjusted her shirt over her full bust. “I’ll be visiting you more often. Want some coffee? We need to be at the office by eleven. I’m under direct orders to make sure you are delivered on time and look like a powerful junior V.P. or close to it.” She laughed. “You have ninety minutes so get in the shower and begin the transformation.”
    Mina thought about the so-called neighbor. When did he move in? A sk ing Margo how old he was would open up a new line of gossipy questioning. She went into the kitchen and poured herself some coffee. That’s when she remembered she didn’t have her car. Probably the main reason for Margo’s presence. Maledizione. Hit and run? Her little Bug wouldn’t hurt a fly. Okay, she once hit a bird . M ore like the bird hit the windshield. You would have thought the creature wanted to commit suicide. Do birds commit suicide? She walked down the hall thinking about birds.
    In the guest bathroom, Margo was singing Bolton’s latest hit, “When a Man Loves a Woman, " imitating his signature falsetto.
    Mina turned on the shower. T hat the jet of water drowned out Margo’s singing was a plus.
     
    “You look perfect.” Margo glanced at Mina sitting next to her. They were approaching West Coast Software. Mina couldn’t believe she let Margo talk her into wearing that long corduroy skirt and suede boots. She didn’t mind the tailored shirt and the knitted jacket though. She’d had those old things forever, had stuffed them in the back of the closet when she unpacked. Somehow Margo found them. Was this the way a junior V.P. dressed? Whatever, she could always blame it on Margo.
    “Margo, what’s my new neighbor’s name?”
    “I dunno.”
    “You know he is single, but you don’t know his