Freefall (Santa Cruz Skydivers Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

your only option? A dress from your mother?”
    I could tell she was pissed. “Yes, I’m so sorry. I won’t fit into anything of yours or Char’s. I promise I’ll be as quick as I can be. Don’t blame me that you’re both skinny.”
    “I guess if that’s your only option. But hurry, we can’t get there late,” she commanded, ignoring my skinny comment. She was naturally thin and could eat anything she liked.
    “It won’t take more than half an hour.” I hoped.
    “Okay, I’ll grab a cab back home and meet you at the apartment.”
    One hour later, I was absurdly late when I finally left my parents’, dress in hand. My mother had expected me to sit down and have a chat over Italian coffee and freshly made brownies she had whipped up as soon as I’d called. No wonder I had a weight problem. But, it was nice to be looked after by my mom following a crappy day, and while she may be overbearing at times—she was Italian after all—I did love her. After finally choosing the Aunt Stella dress—Mom had nothing eveningwear appropriate other than the funeral dress—I raced home to do my hair and makeup before we left for the event.
    Experiencing a total déjà vu moment, I launched myself out of my Jeep as soon as I had put it in park and took the steps to my apartment two at a time. By the time I reached the door, I was doubled over, gasping for air when I let myself in.
    Lili was pacing the living room, talking into her cell phone. “She just got here, babe.” She eyeballed me as I practically keeled over from lack of oxygen. “We’ll be there soon, okay? Mwah .”
    She looked stunning, and together with her height and professional hair and makeup, she could have passed for a supermodel thanks to the new dress Scotty had bought her for the occasion. I looked down at the dress I had in my hand and then looked at her. I hated to admit I was a little jealous—okay, a lot jealous—of how hot she looked. I tried to not let it get to me. Even if I had that dress and that makeup, I would never look like her. Not in a million years.
    I pushed aside my envy, gushing at her. “You look amazing. That is something like Angelina Jolie would wear to the Oscars.” The dress was classic Versace. Black-sequined, floor length, low cut front, backless, and a thigh-high split up the side.
    “Oh, this old thing?” For full effect, she spun around to give me a better view of her dress, running her hand down her flat stomach. Was she wearing Spanx?  “I know. It’s gorgeous. I love it.”
    “It looks expensive.”
    Her smile widened. “It is. Although, it’s only off the rack. What I wouldn’t give for a direct runway dress. That would be the ultimate.”
    I frowned slightly. Lili was always impressed with expensive labels and, even though it wasn’t direct off the runway couture, her off-the-rack dress was the closest I would ever come to designer clothes.
    “So…did you get a dress?” She raised her eyebrows expectantly.
    I didn’t reply, but scrunched up my nose like the fabric in my hand smelled like dog shit, and held up the dress for her.
    She mirrored the expression on my face. “I’m sure it’s not that bad on. It looks kinda vintage. Anyway, it’ll have to do. Just make your hair and makeup look hot, and no one will even look at your dress.”
    “Good idea.” I nodded in agreement, although I knew I wouldn’t have time to do anything to my flyaway mop. “First, I need to take another quick shower. I’m all sweaty after running around.”
    I had the second quickest shower in history, but as predicted, I didn’t have enough time to straighten my hair, so I had to leave it curly. In an attempt to try and look glamorous, I pinned my curls back from my face with some borrowed diamanté clips of Lili’s. My makeup was almost always low key, and true to form, I quickly applied some mineral powder and black eyeliner around my blue eyes, but instead of my usual clear lip-gloss I borrowed Lili’s red