Free Big Girls Don't Cry by Cathie Linz

definite no-no and a rule she’d never broken. Never been tempted to. Until now . . .

Chapter Five
    “What’s taking you so long?” Sue Ellen’s question was accompanied by a pounding on Leena’s bathroom door. “We’re losing light outside.”
    They’d survived the cupcake incident and had now moved on to Sunday and the modeling incident. Leena wasn’t sure she’d survive this one. She called through the door, “What kind of costume is this supposed to be?”
    “You’re supposed to be a Regency miss. You know, like in those movies. Bride of Prejudice.
    “Do you mean Pride and Prejudice ?”
    “Whatever.”
    Leena stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror nailed to the back of the bathroom door. The dress was . . . She lacked words.
    “What’s wrong?” Sue Ellen pounded again, making the mirror wobble. “Do you need help with the costume? Is it too small?”
    Leena yanked open the bathroom door. “What do you think?”
    “Wow.” Sue Ellen was clearly impressed. “Did you get new boobs?”
    “No, I just can’t get them to stay in this dress.” Leena tugged the bodice up.
    “You look great. Sex sells,” Sue Ellen said. “Come on. The photographer is legally blind in one eye so he won’t notice if one of your boobs slips out. Just pull the dress up again. I’ll let you know if too much is showing. We need to get the ad in the local papers, so the photo can’t be too revealing. I’m sure you’ve done ads showing more than this. What about Victoria’s Secret?”
    “What about them?”
    “They show more flesh than you’re showing now.”
    “So?”
    “So you must have modeled for them.”
    “They don’t exactly cater to women my size.”
    “Yeah, what’s with that? Why do they have tons of bras in those little sizes for women who could easily go without a bra?”
    “Because they want to coax them into wearing one. Most of us don’t have the luxury of having a choice.”
    “You haven’t commented on my boobs yet.” Sue Ellen thrust out her chest proudly. “Notice anything different?”
    Leena shook her head, her gaze remaining focused on her own chest to check the status quo.
    “I had a boob job done. Don’t tell anyone.”
    “Who am I going to tell?”
    “Gravity was starting to get me down. Not Gravity, Skye’s cat. I mean that invisible scientific thing that pulls everything to the ground, including breasts.” She quickly shoved Leena out the door ahead of her. “Ah, Bart.” She waved at an older man with a bald head waiting near the photographer. “Here she is. My sister, the model. Leena this is Bart Chumley, the owner of the mobile home park.”
    “I’m glad to meet you, Leena.” Bart stuck out his hand.
    Leena kept her own hands crossed and pressed against her breasts. “Excuse me if I don’t shake your hand.”
    Bart frowned. “Is there a problem?”
    “No, no problem,” Sue Ellen hurriedly stated. “Everything is fine.”
    “Then why is your sister hugging herself like that?”
    “She’s a little chilly. She’s keeping warm until you begin shooting. Are you ready? Is everything set up? Where do you want her to stand?”
    “Let me just check,” Bart said before turning to the photographer.
    While the two consulted, Leena heard a wolf whistle.
    Turning, she found Cole standing nearby. It was bad enough that the man had tried to seduce her out of her carton of Cherry Garcia at the mini-mart, but this was too much.
    Infuriated, she marched over to confront him.
    “What are you looking at? These? They’re just breasts.” Leena lifted them together so Cole could get a better view, almost popping her nipples from the confines of the low-cut bodice. “I’m sure you’ve seen more than your fair share. I happen to be working here and I don’t appreciate your sexist wolf whistle.”
    “I wasn’t whistling at you.”
    “Really?” She looked around, her body language indicating she didn’t believe a word he said. “Then who were you whistling