32AA - Softcover

Cunnah, Michelle

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060560126 ISBN 13: 9780060560126

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, 2003

Synopsis

Emma Taylor wanted an engagement ring and a job promotion for her thirtieth birthday.What she got instead was the boot from herboyfriend, the heave-ho from his Manhattanloft - and the indignity of having to work forthe weenie who stole her position. Her palsonly add insult to injury by giving her the "perfect" birthday gift: a bottle ofbreast-enhancing pills.

It would be enough to defeat even a well-endowed woman, but Emma's notabout to let such twists of fate get her down, even as she sets out on the most grueling task known to humankind: apartment hunting in New York City. But sleeping in the backseat of her car provides an unexpected bonus - she meets Jack, who's kind enough to invite Emma into his home . . . in a strictly landlord/tenant-type of arrangement, of course.

Perhaps things are looking up - since honestly they couldn't get much worse.

Emma may not be able to fill a bikini, but she's going to do that "life and love" thing right this time. Because no matter what else destiny throws in her face, she's determined to come out where she never has before . . . on top!

About this title

About the Author

Michelle Cunnah lives just outside New York City with her family, her cat, and her vast collection of vinyl records and CDs. A frequent visitor to the Outlets, she is the proud owner of approximately forty pairs of shoes. This is her first novel.

From the Back Cover

Meet author Michelle Cunnah and the loveable characters she creates in this young, funny tale of husband-hunting, job-hunting, and—toughest of all—apartment-hunting in New York.

A party, a promotion, and at the very least, a proposal. On her thirtieth birthday, Emma Taylor isn't asking for much. Instead, she gets passed over in every way: by her company, by her boyfriend, and even by her party-loving friends, whose idea of the perfect gift is a bottle of breast-enhancing pills.

Now, kicked out of her boyfriend's apartment and stuck working for the weenie who beat her out for the job, Emma is miserable, homeless, and sleeping in the back of her car. But who knew what a great place the streets can be for meeting gorgeous men? Emma may not have much filling up her bikini top, but she does have the determination to get back on her feet, so she moves in with sexy Jack (strictly in a landlord/tenant capacity), sticks out her chin (and her chest) and gets tough at work. Maybe flat girls can have some fun . . .

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Excerpt

Chapter One

Birthday Girl?

To Do
(before birthday next year)

1. Stick notes on refrigerator, coffee machine and all mirrors (because that way he's bound to get message) to remind Adam about my forthcoming birthday.
   
   

2. Send Adam many e-mails to remind him about my forthcoming birthday.
   
   

3. Talk incessantly and at length about my forthcoming birthday.
   
   

4. Forgive darling Adam. (Tiffany's ring is, after all, Tiffany's ring! Y-e-s!)

6 A.M.

I open my eyes and blearily check the radio alarm as Robert Plant (a god among men) sings to me that he's got a whole lotta love. Yes! It's Friday. It's June 28. It's my birthday.

My thirtieth birthday!

Wonder what gifts I'll get from darling Adam, lovely friends, and odd-but-caring family ... Of course, gifts are not important, not at all when compared with greater issues such as World Peace and Human Rights. But still would be nice to get gifts ... Tiffany's ring, maybe ...

Anyway. Am I depressed at the onslaught of middle age? No! Am I obsessing that the best years of my carefree youth are over? Not me! Am I unhappy to see the end of my twentysomething years? Not a chance! Am I carefully scanning the mirror each day for signs of lines? You bet.

It's crazy, you know? But I yearn for a few mature lines around my eyes. Now that I'm thirty, people will have to take me more seriously.

I can't wait to start the day! Because today is a day filled with exciting possibilities. Three, actually.

1. The Promotion. Should find out today. The interview, last week, went very well. I think that William Cougan (CEO) and Jacintha Bridges (Director of Human Resources) were impressed that the Kitty Krunch and Perfect Pantyhose campaigns were my ideas. Although they did seem to think that Adam was responsible. Strange ...
   
   

2. The Party. With Adam and wonderful friends. I'm sure they like him more, now that they know him a bit better ...
   
   

3. The Proposal. At least, I think Adam's going to propose. I'm sure he's going to propose. Yes, definitely ...

As Bob (as I familiarly refer to Mr. Plant) croons that he's going to give me all of his love, I want to give Adam all of mine, so I snuggle back toward him. If I wiggle just a little, he'll know I'm ready for some early-morning, birthday romance. Can't be too obvious about it, because Adam thinks there's nothing more of a turn-off than a woman who initiates sex. That's men for you.

Oh, I know that's a bit old-fashioned, but he's an old-fashioned sort of guy about some things. Although his firm belief that women should always wear modest skirts is a bit unfortunate for me. Being four feet, eleven inches tall means that my legs are not very long and modest skirts turn them into six-inch matchsticks. This is not a good look for me. Although Adam does have a penchant for stockings and garter belts ...

As I wriggle further to his side of the bed, all I meet are empty spaces and no Adam. The crumpled pillow holds the dent of his head, but not his, you know, actual head. And the covers are cold. Where is he?

Of course. He must be making me breakfast in bed! I'm a bit disappointed about the fading possibility of some early-morning sex, because he's been very distracted and tired over the last few weeks. I wonder if he needs to go see his doctor? I hear that Viagra does wonders for the male sex drive. Anyway, after a leisurely breakfast in bed, maybe he won't be so tired. Maybe he'll reach over and kiss me, then ...

I sigh and dive back under the comforter for an extra few luxurious minutes before Adam returns with my birthday feast. Hmmm ... I'll eat strawberries straight from his hand, and take bites of croissant in between kisses ... One thing will lead to another and we'll have lovely, romantic sex. Adam, bathed in the afterglow of love, will magically produce a small jeweler's box from Tiffany's and beg me to marry him ...

Oh. Perfect! The radio station's playing doubles. More Led Zeppelin. Bob is now telling me that I will be his!

Hope Adam doesn't mind that I switched the radio to classic rock, instead of the classic classical he prefers ...

7 A.M.

Radio has clicked off and I've just realized that I don't hear any noise coming from the kitchen of our small (but tastefully lovely) apartment, so I'm getting up.My hand lingers briefly on my ratty old bathrobe, then I spurn it in favor of the new cream silk robe Adam gave to me. Although the old robe is comfortable and familiar, it is not a particularly good look for me. No, the cream silk is definitely the right choice. I slip quickly into the bathroom to rinse my mouth with mouthwash - morning breath is so unromantic.

Oh, God, my hair. Albert Einstein on a bad hair day! Must do something about it before Adam sees me ...

I pad over the beautifully refinished wood floor and into the living room. God, you can say what you like about Adam (all good, of course, because he's completely wonderful), the man has great taste! Tish says his taste is flawless, and she's an interior designer so she knows what she's talking about.

As I glance around at all the creams and whites in the sun-filled apartment, I shiver slightly at the coldness of the décor. But still, I'm happy to leave it to him. I really am. I mean, my idea of interior design is to buy things that catch my eye ...

(Continues...)

Excerpted from 32AAby Cunnah, Michelle Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.Copyright © 2003 Melissa Nathan
All right reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060560126
• ISBN 13: 9780060560126
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320