“To the matter at hand,” Maxie said. “Who thinks Annabelle has had so many face lifts that her belly button is now on her face? I always thought her lips were a little puckered.” She demonstrated.
“Oh, Max.” Cherry laughingly groaned.
“Oh, come on. After that put-down she gave you at the hospital? It’s the kindest thing I can say about her.”
“Do not tell me that you allowed her to get to you,” Susie said sternly.
“She didn’t.”
Susie looked hard at her while Maxie rolled her eyes.
Cherry shrugged. “Okay. A little. Just a little.”
“You were looking down at yourself in a not-friendly fashion,” Maxie stated bluntly.
“Do we really have to talk about this?”
“Yes.” Susie drained the last of her iced tea and smacked the glass sharply down on the table.
Cherry flinched, half expecting it to break, but miraculously the glass stayed in one piece.
“Repeat after me,” Susie said. “I am beautiful.”
“Oh, really—”
“I am beautiful.”
“For crying out loud—”
“I am beautiful.”
“I am not going to repeat anything.”
“Then I’ll stand up and yell it out and point to you.”
“I am not going to—” Cherry stumbled to a halt and grabbed Susie’s hand as she started to push upright. Knowing her friend had no shame, she hissed, “Okay okay! I am beautiful.”
Maxie smirked.
“I am luscious,” Susie continued.
“Oh, for—” Cherry grabbed her hand again as Susie started to push upright again. “I am luscious. Happy?”
“Exceedingly. I am sexy.”
“What? No- shit, okay, I am sexy.”
“Me, too,” Maxie chimed in. “Sexy as hell.”
“I deserve every hot guy’s attention.”
“I am not going to – I deserve every hot guy’s attention. Will you stop it?”
Susie smiled slowly. “I deserve Rick’s attention.”
Cherry went bright red.
“Say it.”
“I’m not playing this ridiculous- sit down!”
Susie arched one brow as she looked down at Cherry. “Say it.”
“I. Deserve. Rick’s. Attention.” Every word came from between clenched teeth.
Susie sat down and smiled widely. “And lastly – Dr Hot Stuff is boinking me with utter glee instead of Annabelle the Bitch.”
“If you make me say that, I’m leaving right now,” Cherry threatened. “I mean it.”
Susie laughed. “I added that last bit for my own amusement.”
“Speaking of bitches.” Maxie snickered.
“But you feel better, right?” Susie’s eyes twinkled.
Cherry looked from Susie to Maxie, and seeing the affection and laughter in their faces, she felt the weight of Annabelle’s nasty insinuations lift from her shoulders. There was no way she could remain down in her emotions when her friends were trying so hard to make her feel better.
She gave a small grin and pointed at Susie. “You’re paying for my food and drink.”
“Done.” Susie leaned back in her chair and while the waitress set out Maxie and Cherry’s orders. Once they were alone again, she said soberly, “You can’t let people like Annabelle get to you, Cherry.”
“I know. I don’t usually.” Picking up a hot chip, Cherry blew on it.
“You do,” Susie replied bluntly.
“Okay, but not all the time.”
“The ones who don’t matter, you let them get to you. You’re a nice person. You love animals, you’re nice to everyone, you’ll help anyone, and people like you. You need to get over this weight issue you have.”
“So speaks the slim lady,” Cherry said dryly, having heard the same lecture many times in the past.
Susie leaned forward, her gaze intent. “I’m serious. You can’t let this weight issue get between you and Rick.”
“Rick?” Cherry raised her brows in surprise. “I thought you didn’t like him.”
“That was before I knew he had the good sense to see you. Now I think he’s great.”
“Oh, that is such a relief. I can now boink him with an easy conscious.”
“Touch of sarcasm there,” Maxie cooed.
Susie tapped her fingertip on the table. “Rick likes you for who you are, Cherry. He’s not interested in what society thinks is an ideal woman. Don’t lose him because of your own hang-ups.”
“What makes you the expert on Rick?”
The smile that curved Susie’s lips was not comforting. Cherry’s eyes widened. She looked at Maxie only to find her also staring at their friend with big eyes.