Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 131486 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131486 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
“You really went for it tonight,” Soledad agrees with a smile. “If you weren’t drinking, you were dancing.”
“Lots to celebrate.” Hendrix winks. “It’s been a very good year, and this one will be even better.”
“Oh, that’s right. You signed that new client,” I say. “Lucrative, huh?”
“Yeah.” Hendrix pours champagne into the three shot glasses. “If she keeps pulling in seven-figure deals, me and that commission will get along just fine.”
“Edwards’s firm has had one of the best years too,” Soledad says, her smile a little stiff. “This new partner has been shaking things up, but Edward says he’s not sure about some of the changes.”
Hendrix and I share a quick glance, treading lightly by tacit agreement where Edward is concerned. As far as we know, he hasn’t been sleep talking about other women lately, but we don’t trust him as far as we could toss him.
“Oh, wow,” Hendrix murmurs. “How nice for Edward.”
“He’s home with the girls tonight?” I ask.
“Yes,” she says. “Well, not Lupe. She’s at that same sleepover Deja’s at.”
I pull my phone from the pocket of my skirt, smiling down at the screen. “Deja sent me like five text messages. I told her it’s not cool to text your mom from a slumber party, but she wanted me to see these braids she did for one of the girls.”
“We did the right thing letting them leave Harrington, right?” Soledad sighs. “I mean, we jumped through hoops, robbed Peter to pay Paul so we could get them in, and they walk away from it.”
“It’s their second year in public, and they’re both doing great. Deja’s definitely happier.” I shrug. “Each of our kids needs different things. Kassim is still thriving at Harrington.”
“And skipped a grade,” Hendrix interjects, fist-bumping me.
“Showing out too,” I say, proud Mama preening. “All As. Both of them are actually doing really well.”
“The whole family is in therapy,” Hendrix says wryly. “So y’all better be doing well.”
“Literally!” I laugh. “Deja wanted her own therapist because she didn’t want to be left out, and of course, we’re in family counseling.”
“It’s all still working, though?” Soledad asks, lifting her perfectly threaded brows delicately. “The arrangement?”
“Yes, but I kinda enjoy folks’ confusion when they realize Josiah lives with us and he and I are together…again, but still not married.”
“Keep doing you,” Hendrix says with a big grin. “You’re happier than I’ve ever seen you.”
“I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”
It’s true. Our life, our love, didn’t follow the path we thought it would, but that makes it no less true. I often think back to the day we met Ken and Merry, who said they didn’t believe in the institution of marriage, but they believed in each other forever.
The only thing holding us together is our love.
I still believe in marriage, and Josiah does, too. Our love is the only promise binding us, but whenever Josiah is ready to seal it again with vows, so am I. For now, we’ve taken time to grow, to heal, and as Ken and Merry said, to make a life together on our own terms.
I pick up my shot glass of champagne. “Are we gonna do this, or what?”
“We doing it,” Hendrix says.
With a smile as bright as the sequins on her dress, Soledad picks hers up. “Who’s got the toast?”
“I’ve already done one toast tonight,” I say. “You got it, Hen?”
“Ever ready.” She raises her glass. “Here’s to sex that cracks our backs.”
“Oh, Lord,” Soledad murmurs, lips twitching.
“Adventures that snatch our edges,” Hendrix continues, her smile melting into a rare, sweet curve. “And friends that stick like you.”
“You mean stick like glue?” I ask, chuckling.
“I said what I said,” Hendrix booms.
“To friends that stick like you,” we chorus, clinking glasses and knocking back our champagne.
“Well,” I say, slamming my shot glass to the table, “Kassim is at Jamal’s, so Josiah and I have a rare night with no kids. Later for you, bitches. I’m gonna find my man and get outta here while the getting is good.”
Soledad looks over my shoulder, quirking a smile. “Looks like he found you.”
I turn in my seat, and my heart skips that beat reserved specifically for this man, a rhythm that only he has ever inspired. Josiah crosses the roof to us. He’s the kind of handsome that grabs your attention, cloaked in the brand of sex appeal that holds it. His smile is weary, just a tilt to one side of his mouth, but his eyes are alert on me. I don’t have to wonder if he loves me. He tells me every day with his words and with that look fixed on me right now.
“Ladies,” Josiah says when he reaches our table. “What are we drinking to?”
He nods to the bottle of champagne and the incongruous trio of shot glasses.
“New Year shit.” I don’t even check my goofy grin up at him. I haven’t had enough champagne to be drunk, but the thought of a night in the house alone with him is intoxicating in itself.