Progress (The Progress Series) by Amy Queau Read Free Book Online

now. If you want, you can come over this afternoon. But I gotta be at work by four o’clock, so you’ve got two and a half hours to get your ass over here.”
    “I’m coming now. Be there in ten.” Charlie hung up the phone and grabbed her purse.
    Charlie rang Angie’s apartment number and waited for the buzz. After two rings, the door opened and she rode the elevator up to the fourth floor.
    She walked into the apartment and strode into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. “Hey, you have any coffee?” Charlie s houted.
    “Ye ah, it’s in the freezer! Come back here when you’re done,” Angie shouted from the bedroom.
    After making a horribly strong pot, Charlie walked into Angie’s room. “You’re a lifesaver,” she said.
    Angie was still in bed, wearing pajamas and watching a rerun of Jersey Shore.
    “Have you ever watched this show? It’s addicting.”
    “Oh, um. No. Never. Can I rummage through?” Charlie asked with a one-track mind, pointing toward the closet.
    “Go ahead.”
    “Any suggestions on what you think I would look good in?” asked Charlie, overwhelmed when she looked into the walk-in closet.
    “Um…let’s see.” Angie had peeled herself off the bed and joined Charlie in the closet. She began going through her clothes, hanger by hanger, whipping them off the rack and throwing them on her bed.
    “Your body is perfectly proportioned. You’ve got a great hourglass to work with; you’re tall, have long legs, smaller around the waist and your curves are kickin’, so all we have to do is find something to punch up your style a bit. Whoever he is, we’ll make sure he notices you tonight,” Angie said, winking.
    After about an hour, Charlie settled on a black wrap dress that came to her knees and had a three-fourths sleeve. Nothing designer, but it accentuated the positives and made a good attempt to eliminate the negatives.
    “Okay, next problem…makeup,” Charlie pleaded.
    “Seriously, I have like, an hour before I have to leave for work. I’m in my pajamas, Charlie.”
    “Okay. Then just tell me how I should do it and I’ll attempt it myself.”
    After a few makeup tips and a subtle suggestion that Charlie go shoe shopping, Angie waved her out the door so she could hop in the shower.
    After stopping by a discount shoe store, she went home and stared at her face in the mirror for twenty minutes before she picked up the foundation and powder.
    Here goes nothing.

Chapter Seven
     
    I’m nervous. What am I, sixteen-years-old? Pull your shit together. He didn’t even say he was coming.
    It was nine-thirty and the bar and patio were buzzing with life. There was no way Charlie was going to find a seat.
    She barged through the drunken regulars and spied each table carefully to see if anyone was going to be leaving soon. Stepping onto the patio, she saw Paulina and Marco seated in the corner. Oh, thank god .
    The exterior of The Crimson was solid red brick with a large parking lot it shared with the hotel next door. Just beyond the patio was a large ravine with a small pond in the center. Oak, birch, and evergreen trees scattered the landscape.
    “Holy shit, Chuck! You look hot!” Marco almost spit out his beer eyeing her up and down.
    Not only did Charlie look stunning in Angie’s dress, but she had also applied her makeup flawlessly. Dark, smoky eyes, defined eyebrows, pale lips, and highlights on her forehead, nose and chin that subtly sparkled in the light. Her hair was pulled back in twists that gave her an edgy-messed look.
    “That’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. Thanks, Marco.” She blushed.
    “God, I hope not! Sit down. Why are you so dressed up?” Marco asked, shock still plastered on his face.
    “Long story. I don’t want to get into it,” she said while taking her seat.
    “You do look really good, Char. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this dressed up, and I’ve known you for like twenty years. Oh. Twenty years! We’re so old!”