Excerpt from Best-Case Scenario.
The modest swell of her breasts is all but camouflaged by her flowy tunic. Turning sideways in the mirror, Nyra pulls it tight and pouts. Does anyone even notice? She twists and stands on tiptoe, for an over-the-shoulder look at her stern. Does her slender waist make her ass look too wide? She’d once overheard her brother’s best friend Mark commenting on her “sassy chassis.” Nyra’s all through high school crush on Mark date from the overheard offhand remark.
He’d flirted persistently, but nothing ever came of it. Had Kip warned him off?
The door swings open and in walks Toni, the IT Applications Manager. Nyra pivots hastily toward the mirror.
“Hey Nyra!” Toni smiles, pulls a plum shaded lipstick from her purse and gets to work. “You look just fine leaving, if that’s what you’re wondering. How goes it in the call center?”
“Nothing but a party.” Nyra fishes lip gloss from her own purse and concentrates unnecessarily on applying it.
“One of those days, huh? I feel you. Had a few of those working the IT Help Desk before I got my certification.”
“It’s nothing I won’t get over.”
“That which does not kill us?” Toni’s lips twitch in irony.
Their eyes meet in the mirror and Nyra’s stomach twists. Toni has most of what Nyra wishes she had. Full, prominent breasts. Perfect symmetry. her mahoghany skin seems to glow, calling attention to generous, kissable lips.
A light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks spill down her neck, inviting speculation. A thick cascade of glossy black curls frame her face. And those liquid brown eyes.
Toni drops the lipstick in her purse and pulls out a cell phone chiming to a text message.
Her brow furrows as she reads. “Gotta go.” She meets Nyra’s eyes again and smiles. “Keep the faith, Girlfriend!”
Nyra follows Toni’s graceful departure until the closing door cuts her off.
Toni’s loveliness, Nyra soon learns, goes way past her undeniable beauty. Her soul is a shining example of loving, giving kindness coupled with competence and empathy. Who would not love her?