One Look At You Read Online Free PDF Page A

lot.”
    “Nah. It was just what I needed to stop myself from thinking about the break-up. Believe it or not, I’ve jumped to the anger stage.”
    “That’s good, I think.” I’m not so sure she’s really past the desperation or denial, but I play along.
    “Tomorrow is another day, Liv.”
    Oh, yes. Tomorrow is another day .
    ***
    “Livie, have you uploaded the reports yet?” John doesn’t seem like his usual calm and collected self. For the past three days, he’s been poring over the reports I’ve generated and has been nitpicking. The data is insufficient. The results are somehow skewed. Some areas are under-represented. And now he’s afraid that the reports won’t be in the server. Ugh. He seems incredibly anxious about making a good impression on the new CFO.
    “Relax, please. Everything’s been uploaded and the corrections have been made,” I assure him.
    “I’m sorry. Everyone keeps saying that the new guy is very demanding, and I don’t want to make the wrong first impression.”
    I lightly touch his shoulder. “You won’t. I don’t even understand why you didn’t get the job,” I say sincerely.
    “Are you kidding me? That job would mean the end of my marriage. The hours would kill me.”
    It’s true. Ralph Donaldson is a legend for the time he spends at the office. He likes to be in the center of the action, not remotely accessing the figures. He’s not a big champion of flexible hours either. I wonder if his successor is anything like him.
    “Boss?”
    “Stop calling me that,” he says with a touch of annoyance since the word is one of his long-standing pet peeves.
    “Do you know who it is yet?”
    “Nope. He’ll be making a grand entrance on Monday and surprising everyone. Until that time comes, we’re simply sharing rumors and building myths.” He shakes his head.
    “Okay then,” I say with a slight shrug. “Can’t wait.” I don’t really care who or what the new CFO is like. He’s another suit in the corner office. A pleasant ‘good morning’ now and then will be the extent of our interaction.
    John goes back to his desk and I busy myself with the last few reports that need to be updated and then uploaded before we go home.
    ***
    Melanie is stretched out on the couch while Jen and I stuff ourselves with hummus on whole wheat crackers. “You guys. A minute on the lips, forever on the hips.”
    Jen and I roll our eyes and start to laugh.
    “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she says with a pout.
    “Do you even eat?” I ask in a biting tone.
    “Yeah, Melanie, do you even take in anything but water and fruit?” Jen joins in.
    “C’mon! I do indulge once in a while. But you have to be disciplined or you’ll end up fat and alone at the age of thirty.” She gives a grunt of disdain.
    “You are the most vain person I’ve ever known. And the thing is, with your model’s face and body, you already have the pick of the crop.” I say this with a little envy.
    “Oh please! L.A. has the biggest concentration of beautiful women. The competition is vicious!” she says this with a sad look in her eyes.
    “Why compete?”
    “Livie, I swear to God, you are so naïve.”
    “I just don’t see the point of starving yourself and spending so much money on clothes. Are you saying we just can’t be ourselves?” I really am staggered by the inanity of it all.
    “She does have a point, though,” Jen tentatively comments. “Men only want to go out with hot women – women who are perfect in every way.”
    “I can’t believe that. Not every man is that superficial.” Of course, even I question the veracity of my statement. I mean Jen is gorgeous, sweet, and kind, but all her relationships have ended the same way – with her boyfriend cheating on her and dumping her for another woman.
    “Believe that!” Melanie says loudly. “Sometimes I think I should just let go and perhaps a good man will come along and want to be with me for no other reason than my great