Dreamboat Read Online Free

said.” She winked, then left the salon.
    Crissy watched her cross the parking lot to her big silver Mercedes, then turned to Rosy. “Who do I have scheduled next?”
    Rosy looked at her over the top of the glasses that rested near the tip of her nose. “Connie Parker. She called and said she was on her way, so you’ve got a couple of minutes. Why don’t you make yourself useful and make some fresh coffee for us?” She stared up at Crissy belligerently.
    â€œSure, Rosy.”
    She didn’t ask why Rosy hadn’t done it herself, since she’d long finished with her last manicure and had sat slurping coffee for the last twenty minutes or so, gossiping with waiting customers and beauticians while she flipped through People magazine. Instead, Crissy went to the back of the shop where the coffeemaker was and started a fresh pot. Then she went back to the storeroom and closed the door behind her.
    She reached in the pocket of her smock and felt the crisp, folded bill that Beatrice had given her. She took it out and looked at it. Crissy could hardly believe her eyes. Beatrice had given her a hundred-dollar tip. For a moment Crissy was stunned. Then she took her pocketbook from the shelf and put the money in her wallet. Sitting down, she wondered at Beatrice’s generosity. What was it the older woman had said? Something about using the tip as a down payment for a trip? She already had built up a sizable nest egg, and this would add to it nicely.
    The door abruptly opened, and Rosy stuck her head in the room. “Why don’t you turn on your fucking cellie?” she groused. “Jenny’s on the phone, but I’m going to tell her to hang up and call your cell number.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Rosy,” Crissy said, restraining herself from lashing out at the ill-tempered woman. “I’ll turn it on right now.”
    Rosy eyed her malevolently, then slammed the door shut.
    Crissy shot the bird at the closed door, then took out her cell phoneand switched it on. She knew that Rosy was an extremely unhappy woman, obese, unattractive, and resentful, but her nastiness was hard to take. Crissy didn’t have much choice—not if she wanted to continue working at the shop. Rosy was the manager, and Tony Ferraro, the owner, trusted her completely.
    Her cell phone rang, and Crissy answered it. “Hi, Jenny,” she said.
    Jenny laughed. “That bitch told you to turn on your cell phone, didn’t she?”
    â€œOh, yes,” Crissy replied. “In fact, she told me to turn on my ‘fucking’ cell phone.”
    â€œThat’s just one of the things that makes her so attractive,” Jenny said. “Her lovely way with words.”
    â€œShe’s really getting hard to take,” Crissy said.
    â€œDon’t let the bitch get you down,” Jenny said. “She’s just jealous.”
    â€œI don’t know why she’s jealous of me,” Crissy replied. “She’s got a boyfriend, and she’s got Tony eating out of her hand. She runs this place like she’s some kind of queen and we’re all her servants.”
    â€œOh, you’re feeling blue today, aren’t you?” Jenny ventured. “Come off it, Crissy. You know why that ugly bitch is jealous. You’re pretty and nice and popular. None of which she’ll ever be.”
    Crissy sighed. “I guess.”
    â€œListen,” Jenny said. “Why don’t we go out tonight? There’s a hot new club on Central Ave. that’s got a great DJ. Nine One One it’s called, and I’m dying to try it out.”
    â€œI . . . I don’t know,” Crissy prevaricated. “I’m trying to save my money, and—”
    â€œOh, come on, Crissy,” Jenny said quickly. “I’ll treat. I just got my alimony check from Pete the Prick.”
    Crissy laughed. “Can’t wait to spend it, huh?” Maybe she