Read Beautifying Bernadette: A BBW Romantic Comedy (The Jackson Tribe Book 1) for Free Online Page A

green eye shadow and copious amounts of mascara and some blush. Once she felt like she wouldn’t scare any small children with her face, she went to her closet. Decisions, decisions. She put on her black “skinny” jeans with some wedges that added about four inches and a flirty low-cut hot pink paisley tunic. After tying a hot pink ribbon around her head, she practically skipped back out to the living room and grinned impishly.
    “Thirty seconds to spare.” Levi laughed. “And good thing too. I am starved. I may have had to come hunt you down at thirty-one. You look very cute.”
    Bernie bit her lip and looked at her feet. “Thanks?” She knew he was just being nice, but it still made her tummy, and other parts, feel nice.
     

Chapter Four
     
    As they walked through the lobby, Juan, the doorman on duty this morning, flagged them down. “Miss Douglas, Pete asked me to check on you, and see if everything is acceptable with you?”
    Bernie gave him a confused look, but Levi nodded at him saying clearly, “Please tell Mr. Pete that everything is kosher, and there is no need to be worried.”
    Juan gave a light smile and nodded. “Noted. You two have a good day.”
    Levi helped Bernie into his truck and, once they were both buckled, he pulled out. “So, had you ever been to Glitter before?”
    Bernie shook her head.  “Nope, they just opened a few weeks ago, and the list was always crazy to get on, but I guess Ash worked her magic last night. Oh yeah! Let me check with her.” She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text.
    R U Alive? You gave HawtCop your keys? He’s STILL HERE!
    Turning back, she grinned at Levi. “I am so ready for breakfast. I think some fruit salad, and maybe I’ll splurge on a buttery slice of cinnamon raisin toast. That would really hit the spot.”
    Levi shook his head, but didn’t speak.
    Bernie noticed his look, but didn’t push him on it. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
    Looking out the window, Bernie tried to think of things to talk about. “So, if you went home with me last night, how’d you change clothes? I certainly don’t have random men’s size clothing in my apartment.” She gave him a cheeky grin.
    He returned it with a witty, “Oh! I just borrowed some from your neighbors.”
    She looked shocked for a moment. “Which one?”
    Letting out a belly laugh, Levi responded quickly. “None. I was just teasing. I keep a go-bag in my car for nights where I am kept extra late at the station.”
    He gave her a teasing grin. “Or if naughty little girls need rescuing.”
    Bernie’s tummy fluttered, and, in an attempt to stop the feelings, she moved onto another topic that had been concerning her.  “When I puked last night, did it get on you?” She had a vague recollection of vomiting and it hadn’t been alone on the bathroom floor like usual.
    “Yes, you vomited, but no, it was not on me. You got a little on your carpet and I scrubbed it up. And obviously the quilt that I started washing.”
    Shit nuggets! Bernie was mortified that she had forgotten about that quilt. “I told you not to mess with it! I’d have han-handled it.”  She felt tears filling her eyes , fuck now you’re a damsel in distress and a cry baby. She felt her throat closing up and tried to breathe through her nose, so it wasn’t obvious.
    Levi noticed immediately and put a hand on her leg. “Shh, it’s okay…” He realized that in the last few hours of caring for her and talking with her, they still had not exchanged first names. He couldn’t help, but chuckle. “Miss? Douglas? Everyone has moments of weakness or sickness. I didn’t mind. But I do think we should maybe be less formal. I mean you have seen me in my Captain America boxers, and I have cleaned up your vomit. We really have moved to the next level.”
    He winked. “My name is Levi…”
    Bernie giggled at this, wiping at the tears that had spilled out. “Bernie, Bernadette, but everyone just calls me