Girl of My Dreams Read Online Free Page B

movie stars. He doesn’t need me.”
    “Check the mirror. You are star material. You’ve got the looks and the brains. Go after him. You’re not afraid, are you?”
    Denise knew her a bit too well. It was far safer to admire Blake from a distance than to draw attention to herself and risk losing a fairytale dream.
    “Come on, Jillian, this time I won’t let you off. What’re you going to do?”
    “I’m going to Disneyland.”
    After they laughed, Jillian said, “One thing for sure. I have to get ready for Hawaii.”
    “Okay, that’ll work. My next shift’s not until Wednesday, so on Monday we’ll hit the stores. I could use a break from the pathos of the emergency room.”
    Denise McNeal had been the nurse on duty at Valleyview Hospital the night Jillian’s parents were in the accident. Her skill and compassion had impressed Jillian so much the two had become instant friends. Without Denise, Jillian could never have made it through the ordeal.
    Jillian blocked out painful thoughts of that night and agreed to meet her friend for lunch at Saucy’s Snacks in Wentworth before shopping.
    “I’ll bring the DVD. You may not believe it, but wait till you see how sexy you look. When you do, you’ll change your mind and go after what you want,” Denise said.
    Jillian had all day Sunday to mull over her friend’s advice. She concluded Denise was right about one thing. Jillian had chosen the cowardly way out. If she wanted Blake, she had to stand up for herself and show him what she had. The endeavor seemed scary, but necessary.
    She had a feeling her mother would approve. Veronica Baker, for whom Jillian had been named, had often chided Jillian about spending so much time caretaking instead of paying attention to her own needs.
    After Mom had passed away, Jillian had shed her first name because it was a painful reminder of her mother’s helplessness and pain. To fill the void, her caretaking shifted to Blake. She’d obsessed over anticipating his needs and fulfilling them.
    It was her turn now.
    That decided, early Monday morning she made a telephone call. “Can you squeeze me in today?”
    “I’m sorry. We’re booked solid.”
    “Please, I’m leaving on an important trip Friday. I need contacts.”
    “Hold on a second.”
    Jillian bit her lip as she waited for the receptionist to confer with the manager. Wearing contacts would boost her self-confidence. If she charged them, she could pay the bill after she received her check from Saturday’s performance. There should even be enough left over for a few outfits.
    Luck shone down on her. Somehow she got an appointment. Amazingly, her prescription was in stock. An hour later, wearing the contact lenses and equipped with instructions about gradually increasing her wearing time, Jillian stepped out of the optometrist’s office. Her eyes smarted a little, but all in all they didn’t feel too bad. She could handle it.
    Jillian recognized Denise’s shoulder-length black hair at the back booth at Saucy’s, before she saw her smiling face.  
    Denise’s filmy mauve top highlighted her creamy complexion. Her smoky eye shadow drew just the right amount of attention to her intelligent, gray eyes.
    “You look great, as usual, Denise. I don’t know how you do it,” Jillian said, seating herself.
    “Thanks, but you looked even better on the show. All you need are a few items to carry you over for off the set. It’ll be fun modernizing you.”
    After mushroom soup, Caesar salad, Italian bread and lots of encouragement from Denise, Jillian was ready to hit the stores.
    At Tula’s, Jillian gravitated toward a subdued selection of gray outfits and picked up a blouse to examine it.
    “Don’t you dare.” Denise said, grabbing the top and placing it back on the rack. A That will not get Blake to notice you. Here, let me show you how.”
    Before Jillian could blink, through Denise’s efforts, the cart contained a maize halter top, a leather mini skirt, an aquamarine