by La Jill Hunt
Toby didn’t stop the tears from falling, and this time there was more than one. He stood up and looked at Isis so she could see that he was serious and this was real. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring.
“I know that’s not what I think it is, Toby.”
“What is that?” He smiled through the tears.
“You took the ring back?”
“I took it back. Now I can pawn it and pay off my three hundred dollar credit card bill for this massage that I’m not even getting.”
He pulled her to him and kissed her on the mouth. As her tongue met his, he thought this was what perfection must feel like. She stroked his back, and he felt himself getting aroused. When they separated, they looked down at the towel he was wearing. “Looks like I need a manicure, huh?”
“You’ll get it when I get the drink I never got at the party,” she teased and kissed him again.
“Let me ask you this question,” he said then paused. “How do you feel about having kids?”
“Depends on if I’m having them with a man who loves me enough to make some.” She winked and his heart leapt.
68
T’was the night before Christmas, and the church was standing room only as everyone prepared for the entrance of the bride. The bridal party was fairly small, consisting of two bridesmaids and two best men. The maid of honor, Meeko, who had recently become engaged to Stanley, proceeded down the aisle first. The matron of honor, Kayla, who had wed a month before, was next. The bride was escorted by her father, who beamed with pride as he walked down the aisle with a daughter on his arm for the second time. And as happy as he was that both his daughters were now married, he knew he would still be working for a long time to pay off the debt of their weddings.
The bride looked lovingly at her husband-to-be, who now, with the help of his partner and best friend, owned one of the fastest growing security installation firms in the state. The groom looked over at his best men, knowing that this day would not be complete without them.
As the couple took their place at the altar, Toby, along with his fiancée, Isis, came before them and performed “The Closer I Get to You.” Before they even finished, there wasn’t a dry eye in the church. The wedding went off without a hitch.
Uncle Jay hosted the reception at Jasper’s. While everyone ate, drank, and partied to “This Christmas” by the Temptations, he passed out cigars.
“What’s this for, Uncle Jay? Anjelica, is there something you and Jermaine need to tell us?” Toby asked.
“He’s passing out cigars, I’m not.” Jermaine laughed.
“And you won’t be passing any out until after we buy that house in Wheatland Heights, either.” Anjelica kissed him on the nose.
“You all ain’t hear?” Uncle Jay asked. “I found out I’m a father. Got the call on Friday.”
“What? When did you have a baby?” Isis laughed.
“Well, the baby was born Fourth of July, but the mama just moved back into town last week and called me. You all may remember her. Darla. Yes sir, got me a big old fine boy!”
Everyone groaned as he began singing along with the Temptations, happy with the news he’d just shared.
After toasting the new couple, Terrell went and sat next to his best friend who was now his supervisor. Cora Ware had been convicted of first-degree arson and sentenced to thirteen years in prison. Kayla now had her job and was doing fine.
“What’s up, DQ?”
“Not anymore, Terrell, not anymore. I haven’t had any drama in a while, so you have to find a new name for me.” She smiled.
“I have to find something else to call you since you’ve relinquished your title as the queen of drama. You’re growing up. You were there for Anjelica on her big day, and I’m proud of you,” he told her.
“I mean, she is my sister. Nothing can ever change that. You can’t pick your family.”
“You’re right about that,” Terrell looked over at Uncle Jay, “but you can always pick your friends.”
“I’m glad I picked you,” she told him.
“What are you talking about? I picked you.”
“You did not Terrell. I remember that day we were in the break room and you came in sitting by yourself. I invited you over there to sit at our table!” Kayla yelled.
They went back and forth with each other until he noticed a couple walking in. She looked over and stopped mid-sentence. All eyes seemed to be on Roni and Sean as they walked into the room, hand in hand.
“I’m going over there before something jumps off,” she told him.
“And I thought you said there wouldn’t be no more drama.” He stood. “Man, this stuff is just getting started.”
Urban Books, LLC
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Drama Queen Saga Copyright © 2015 La Jill Hunt
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, except brief quotes used in reviews.
ISBN: 978-1-6228-6721-9
This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.
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