Read Online Flawless by Lara Chapman - Free Book Online Page B

see you, your smile sets my heart on fire. I can’t explain it, but I’ve never felt this way before. Join me for dinner at the Aquarium Saturday night. My treat.
    Love, Kristen
    555-0250
    â€œIt’s too short,” I say.
    â€œNo, it’s just right.” Kristen’s smile is glowing and it’s hard not to let her joy rub off on me just a little. For a second, I can even pretend my every waking moment isn’t filled with thoughts of the very guy she’s—we’re—writing.
    â€œMaybe we should add something specific about his smile,” I say, more to myself than anyone.
    â€œLike how precious his crooked teeth are?” she says quickly. “It’s so adorable.”
    â€œI’m not sure. It’s just missing something.” I continue tapping the keys. “What about …” I click the cursor before the last sentence and add a new one, then reread the new message.
    I know this may seem a little forward, but I have to tell you that every time I see you, your smile sets my heart on fire. I can’t explain it, but I’ve never felt this way before. There’s something in your smile that makes me feel alive. Join me for dinner at the Aquarium Saturday night. My treat.
    Love, Kristen
    555-0250
    I swivel the screen so Kristen can see it, feeling pretty damn proud of my ability to take her grade-school letter and turn it into something spectacular in three minutes flat.
    Kristen reaches over and hugs me. “You’re amazing. Send it!”
    â€œAre you sure?” I ask. “There’s no turning back after this.”
    â€œPositive.” She reaches around me, commandeers the mouse, then clicks Send.
    Somebody shoot me.

It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness.
    â€”LEO TOLSTOY
    Chapter Seven
    I make it to the station just minutes before Mom goes live for the five o’clock broadcast, looking forward to dinner and not so forward to meeting another rising news star.
    â€œYou’re finally here,” she says, eyes closed in the makeup chair as Marta continues her work on Mom’s eyelids. Don’t ask me how she knows I’m here; mother’s intuition or something. “I was getting worried.”
    â€œSorry,” I say. “Hi, Marta.”
    â€œHow’s life treating you, Sarah?” she asks, never taking her eyes off Mom. Marta’s been Mom’s stylist and makeup artist for years. Her twin sons just turned thirteen, so she always looks a little frazzled and vaguely irritated.
    â€œPretty good,” I answer. “How are the boys?”
    Marta looks up from Mom’s face and I can see the dark circles under her eyes. “Making me wonder why I ever went through all those years of infertility treatments to create them.”
    I laugh, knowing Marta loves the boys more than anything. “That bad, huh?”
    â€œJust typical teenage-boy stuff.” She dusts Mom’s face with an oversized powder brush, then leans back to study her handiwork. “You’re done, Beth.”
    Mom opens her eyes and studies her face in the mirror as she takes off the protective drape snapped behind her neck. “Great job as always, Marta. Thanks.”
    Mom stands and grabs my hand. “I’m on in four minutes, so we’ll have to talk later.”
    â€œBye, Marta,” I call out as Mom drags me from the room.
    â€œLater, gorgeous!” Marta answers, already cleaning the workspace she insists on keeping immaculate. It’s just one of the many reasons I adore her.
    Mom turns her full attention to me and I’m struck by her stunning face. Does she realize how beautiful she is or does she still see the insecure girl with the gargantuan nose when she looks in the mirror? “You look great, Mom.”
    A warm smile brightens her face. “Thanks, sweetie. You look pretty marvelous yourself.”
    I look down at the blue jeans and T-shirt I’ve