Read The Big "O": A Romantic Comedy for Free Online

jeans with a top that had seen much better days. The cut and colors weren’t working for Em one bit. Her hair was a mess, as well.
    Sure, she had on a bit of lip gloss but it was applied in the way that made it obvious that she didn’t care what color she had put on. It was clear that, in fact, the application of makeup had been a chore, not a pleasure, and that she did not feel good about herself just then. Isis couldn't remember the last time Emily looked truly put-together.
    In actuality, the woman definitely needed a complete makeover, Isis thought.
    She couldn’t fix the stuff with the kid, the finance stuff, or the bedroom stuff, but Lord knows, a makeover, which would help her friend feel and look more polished would improve Emily’s confidence, and probably have a positive effect into every area of her friend’s life, that she could do. But how to bring it up?
    The front door opened and then slammed. Juliette shouted to see where they were. Isis gave a huge sigh of relief. She'd wait to mention a makeover to Emily.
    “We’re in here,” Emily called out. Juliette entered the kitchen, flustered, slightly out of breath, her face a bit pink. She held a small Yoda action figure with a gift bow attached to its head. Isis was ecstatic to see Juliette and gave her a huge hug.
    “Hey, ladies. Sorry I'm late… I lost track of time and then I had to stop for dessert, so I brought a peace offering for the little guy,” Juliette said and placed several packages of what appeared to be delicious, gourmet, boxed desserts on the end of the table.
    “That is fantastic, Jules,” Isis said, knowing that Emily was both grateful to see her and that little Max would love the gift. “He loves that guy.” Isis took the baby out of Emily’s arms and faced him toward Juliette. Max waved his fat little arms.
    Juliette grinned and gave the Yoda toy to the toddler. He was adorable, his little chubby arms and cheeky smile. He held the small toy firmly and looked at it happily. Emily watched and felt her heart lift further, seeing how much her friends loved her baby.
    “Yoda,” said Baby Max. Emily pulled herself together. Somehow, having another friend there and letting Isis in on some of her concerns had made her feel a million times better. Whatever people said, love, not money, really did make the world go round.
    “Chillax. Women working on a dissertation get a free pass,” Emily said to Juliette.
    “How's that going?” Isis asked with interest.
    It fascinated her how people could be obsessed by things, such as the abstract world of academia, that she herself didn't care about. I could get interested in career clothing lines for brilliant and beautiful academics, she realized. Hmmm. And what about a line of eyeglasses, for the intellectual, research-oriented, well-read academic world. She immediately imagined a line of eyeglasses in chic tortoiseshell.
    “It's going. How're you two doing?” Juliette asked and sighed.
    “I’ve been better,” Emily replied honestly and Juliette nodded in response, “but honestly it's amazing to have you two here.” Juliette and Isis smiled at her and she smiled back; they could feel how much Emily loved their little sisterhood of three.
    Truth be told, Juliette also felt like the three of them were more sisters than friends.
    Juliette would do anything for the other two women and their men. She had no other family, her parents and little brother had died in a car accident years ago and she still felt the loss after all the years. As stressful as it was to be away from her work, knowing that every minute spent on fun was a minute that she was failing to make progress on completing her thesis, she craved the camaraderie that they shared together.
    Emily surveyed the food one more time, then went to the refrigerator and grabbed a pitcher of lemonade and another container of iced tea and put them on the table.
    “I'm getting my cuddle fix,” Isis said and grinned. Emily looked around a