Moment of Weakness - The Esquire Girls Series - Hailey (Book 1) by Cassie-Ann L. Miller Page B

wild, curly hair that she usually wears in an afro. Her skin is deep brown and flawless.
     
    Next to Nadia is Ruthie Salvador, my leggy, blond, Brazilian roommate. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. She’s five foot ten, with not an ounce of fat on her body. I’m so jealous of her perky, cellulite-free butt that sometimes I don’t know what to do.
     
    Directly across from me sits Jasmine Santiago. She’s new at our office. She has long, wavy dark hair and a curvy figure that showcases her Latin heritage.
     
    Amber Roberts is average height with her jet-black bangs and icy blue eyes. I’ve never seen such an insanely sexy pregnant woman.
     
    Just then, there’s a knock at the door. It must be Madison Moretti. She’s our boss’ daughter. She’s hopelessly elegant with thick dark hair and pretty brown eyes. Her hair and makeup are always perfect and her every movement is the epitome of grace and sophistication.
     
    Madison comes into the kitchen right on Amber and Ruthie’s heels. “Maddie – you’re here!” I say, barely able to contain my excitement as Amber helps Madison set her brown paper bag down on the table.
     
    “Sorry I’m late,” Madison says as she bends to give me a hug in my seat. “Ohmygod – are you okay? I would be so spooked if I’d been mugged.”
     
    I try to downplay the gravity of the situation with a shrug. “It is what it is. I’ll be fine. My purse is in critical condition but expected to make a full recovery.” I’m lucky to have escaped the mugging with nothing more than a bruised knee and a broken purse strap. The knee is bandaged up and the purse is at the shoemaker’s for repairs. So, restitutio in integrum wins out in the end – everything will be restored to its original condition.
     
    Madison opens her brown paper bag and pulls out a plastic container. “I got vegan falafels from the restaurant we went to the last time,” she announces.
     
    I can practically see Jasmine’s mouth salivating. “Oooh – I love falafels.”
     
    Madison just smiles as she sinks into an empty chair. “Okay. Okay. Let me tell you why I’m late.” She rummages around in her purse and pulls out a bunch of small pink dispensers.
     
    “What is that?” I ask leaning forward to get a better look.
     
    Nadia grabs one of the dispensers from Madison’s hand. “Oh, that’s so smart. Look – it says ‘Esquire Girls’ on the side.” Nadia offers the dispenser to Amber.
     
    “So cute,” Amber says just before passing the dispenser to Jasmine.
     
    “Yeah – this is pretty badass, Madison,” Jasmine says as Madison makes sure that each of us has a dispenser.
     
    “What is it? Is it perfume?” I ask, still waiting for an answer as I aim the dispenser at my neck.
     
    Ruthie jumps on me quickly and yanks it out of my grip.
     
    “It’s pepper spray, silly girl,” Amber says laughing at me.
     
    “Spray that thing in here and you won’t be able to sleep in your apartment for a week,” Nadia warns, her eyebrow scrunched up with concern.
     
    I feel myself blushing.  “Oh, I didn’t know it was pepper spray.” Where I come from, we don’t need pepper spray. People are friendly and you can trust that your neighbor would never hurt you. I guess I’m a bit more sheltered than these city girls sitting around me.
     
    Jasmine clips the dispenser to her keychain. “This really is a good idea, Madison. Thanks. I live on the shady side of town. This might actually come in handy.”
     
    “Yeah – I mean – this will make me feel much safer when the baby comes and I take him or her to the park or for a walk,” Amber says.
     
    Madison throws a glance in my direction. “Well, after what happened to Hailey right in the middle of Manhattan in broad daylight, we can’t be too careful.”
     
    “Very thoughtful of you, Madison,” Ruthie says with a small smile.
     
    I don’t want to be reminded of what happened to me today. I just want to move