He probably wants to make sure he doesn’t come out looking like the bad guy, I thought. Well, he didn’t have to worry about that. I was tired of being bitter and angry. I was going to do this show, make our announcement, and then go on my merry way.
We still hadn’t figured out what we were going to do about the show long-term. Personally, I wanted to let Jay have the show; I had no desire to continue dispensing relationship advice. But I didn’t know if that was possible, since Riley had made it clear he wanted the team. Riley had been so angry when we’d announced today would be our last broadcast. Of course, he’d tried to talk to us some more, but he’d given up in disgust, saying only that he thought we “were making a grave mistake.”
He was in a meeting with the bigwigs right now to figure out their next move. I imagined that included suing us for breach of contract. I couldn’t focus on that, though. After the ordeal I’d been through, I just wanted to move on.
I walked into the studio, sat in my regular spot, put my headphones on, and got settled. My eyes met Jay’s and had he not been clear regarding his wishes, I would’ve definitely thought this was something he didn’t want to do.
But this was something we both wanted. I’d wanted it first, then he’d accepted it.
Thankfully, the show was about to start, so we jumped right in. There was a flurry of callers who wanted to continue to comment on everything we’d been through; then there were a few who wanted the typical advice. The hour went by in a blur and I couldn’t really recall all that I’d said. I only knew we were nearing the end of the show because Jay said, “Well, before we wrap up, we have some news to share with our listeners.” He briefly hesitated, then went on. “Today is bittersweet.” He looked at me to allow me to take over. I didn’t say anything. I was afraid that if I opened my mouth, I’d break out in tears.
Pull yourself together, I told myself.
“We’ve been bringing you love advice—on our own at first, me through songs, Dr. Shannon through her practice—and then together as the Lovejoy team for the past two years,” Jay continued, when it became obvious I wasn’t going to say anything. “It’s a job that we both took seriously, one we were committed to giving our all to. We’ve loved helping heal relationships, helping couples rediscover the true meaning of love, and providing the glue to hold so many marriages together—”
“Unfortunately,” I interjected, finally finding my voice, “we couldn’t hold our own relationship together.” My voice quivered as I spoke. “Some of you may have heard the rumors about my husband and me, and, well, it is with a heavy heart,” I said, taking a deep breath and struggling not cry, “that we share with you—”
“That even the strongest of couples,” Jay said quickly, cutting me off, “falter.” He stared at me intensely, his eyes welling with tears as he continued talking into the mic. “We want you to know that we realize firsthand that marriage is something worth fighting for, and when you have that one person who God has designed especially for you, you don’t give up just because things get hard.”
Confusion blanketed my face.
“I…” Jay said, not taking his gaze off me. “We had come here today to tell our listeners that we had agreed to go our separate ways, and while it’s been something I told you that I was okay with, the thought of one more day of waking up without you by my side has caused me unimaginable pain.”
“Jay, what are you saying?” I forgot all about the microphone.
“I’m saying I love you. I love you in the depths of my soul,” he said, his voice now quivering. “My love for you is captured in every beautiful memory of our past, detailed in vivid visions of our dreams and future plans, but most of all it’s right now, in the moment where everything I’ve ever wanted in my life is sitting right in front of me. I know I’ve made mistakes, but if you give me the chance, I will spend the rest of my life making up for that. If you want kids, I’ll give you a house full of kids. If you want us to walk away from all things Lovejoy, I’ll do that. Just please don’t leave me, Shannon.”
Tears started streaming down my cheeks. I felt like my mind was playing tricks on me.
“One of our callers told us everything happens for a reason,” Jay continued. “I believe that from the bottom of my heart. Everything we’ve been through these past few weeks has been so that I could appreciate the woman I married, and remember the reason God brought us together. I just realized my greatest joy comes when I’m making your heart smile. I can’t lose you, baby.”
“I don’t want to lose you either,” I cried as I removed my headphones and bolted from my seat and into my husband’s arms as he stood.
It wasn’t until we saw half the radio station standing in the control room, clapping and crying, that I even remembered we were still on the air.
I pointed to the mic. “Jay…”
“Oh, man,” he said, jumping back into his seat. “Sorry about that, everyone, but my wife and I got caught up for a minute.” He looked at me and smiled. “That’s all our time for now.”
I slid back into my seat, leaned into the microphone, sniffling and wiping my tears. “Thank you for joining us… and make sure you live, laugh, and love.” I turned to face my husband as our theme music filled the studio. “Because that’s exactly what I plan to do,” I said, as Jay rose, took me into his arms, and squeezed me like he never wanted to let go.
We were interrupted by a tap on the glass from the control room.
“Hey, guys,” Nicole said. “I hate to interrupt this beautiful moment, but there’s one more caller insisting on talking to you.”
“We’re off the air,” Jay said.
“I know, but he’s insisting and said that you’ll want to talk to him.”
Jay and I exchanged confused glances as Jay eased over to patch the call through.
“Hello,” I said.
“Hi, sweetheart. It’s Ivan calling about my money…. I hope you didn’t think I forgot….”
acknowledgments
Should I really do this again?
That’s the question I ask myself every time I sit down to write an acknowledgments. I mean, some may wonder, when you’ve written as many books as I have, who else is there left to thank? What else is there left to say? Well, when you’ve been as blessed as I have been, how can I not thank those who helped me churn out another story? And, as a writer, I always have something to say.
First, let me tell you how this story came to be. It’s a little different from what I usually write, but that’s intentional. Several years ago, I sat down and started writing romantic suspense, because I love reading suspense books. But while I tried to steer the characters in one direction, they were stubborn and wanted to go in their own direction. So that’s what they did, taking on a life of their own.
I had fun with this book, weaving Jay and Shannon in and out of situations. And along the way, I fell in love with them and found myself rooting for them to make it. (Here’s where my sister would jump in and say, “You know these people aren’t real.” Lol.) But I lived with them and wanted the best for them. As a reader, whether you wanted them together or apart, I hope you were entertained by their story as well.
Now, for the thank-yous…
I’ll keep this one a little tighter—simply saying thank you once again to my family: my amazing children, my loving mother, and my wonderful sister, Tanisha Tate. A special thank-you to my muse, Jeffrey Caradine, who pushes me, no matter what.
For the past decade, my business/writing partner, Victoria Christopher Murray, has continually helped me up my game. Thank you, sis.
My forever friends: Jaimi Canady, Raquelle Lewis, Kim Wright, and Clemelia Humphrey Richardson. You’re the light in my hectic life.
As usual, thanks to my agent, Sara Camilli, and my editors, Lauren Spiegel and Rebecca Strobel. Thank you for all your hard work!
I could go on for days thanking all the book clubs, libraries, and readers who have supported my work. Please know that just because I didn’t
name you (this time), I still value and appreciate your support.
And, finally, thanks to YOU… my beloved reader. If it’s your first time picking up one of my books, I truly hope you enjoyed it. If you’re coming back, words cannot even begin to express how eternally grateful I am for your support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
More from the Author
The Book in Room 316
Seeking Sarah
A Blessing & a Curse
The Perfect Mistress
Finding Amos
Mama's Boy
about the author
© ROCHELLE SCOTT
RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY’s #1 nationally bestselling novels include Let the Church Say Amen, I Know I’ve Been Changed, and Say Amen, Again, winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work. Her collaboration with Victoria Christopher Murray has produced four hit novels: Sinners & Saints, Friends & Foes, A Blessing & a Curse, and Fortune & Fame. BET released a movie in 2013 based on her book Let the Church Say Amen, in which she had a minor role. She also appeared in the made-for-TV movie The Secret She Kept, based on her book of the same title. Visit ReShondaTateBillingsley.com, meet the author at Facebook.com/ReshondaTateBillingsley, or follow her on Twitter @Reshondat.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR:
SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/ReShonda-Tate-Billingsley
SimonandSchuster.com
@GalleryBooks
ALSO BY RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY
The Book in Room 316
Seeking Sarah
A Blessing & a Curse (with Victoria Christopher Murray)
The Perfect Mistress
Mama’s Boy
Finding Amos (with J. D. Mason and Bernice McFadden)
What’s Done in the Dark
Fortune & Fame (with Victoria Christopher Murray)
A Family Affair
Friends & Foes (with Victoria Christopher Murray)
The Secret She Kept
Sinners & Saints (with Victoria Christopher Murray)
Say Amen, Again
A Good Man Is Hard to Find
Holy Rollers
The Devil Is a Lie
Can I Get a Witness?
The Pastor’s Wife
Everybody Say Amen
I Know I’ve Been Changed
Have a Little Faith (with Jacquelin Thomas, J. D. Mason, and Sandra Kitt)
Let the Church Say Amen
My Brother’s Keeper
AND CHECK OUT RESHONDA’S YOUNG ADULT TITLES
Drama Queens
Caught Up in the Drama
Friends ’til the End
Fair-Weather Friends
Getting Even
With Friends Like These
Blessings in Disguise
Nothing but Drama
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Gallery Books
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Gallery Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Gallery Books trade paperback edition September 2020
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Cover design by Min Choi
Cover photograph of man by Marcos Appelt/Arcangel, woman’s hand by Alamy and ring by Depositphotos
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Billingsley, ReShonda Tate, author.
Title: A little bit of karma : a novel / ReShonda Tate Billingsley.
Description: First edition. | New York : Gallery Books, 2020.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020019993 | ISBN 9781439183588 (paperback) | ISBN 9781439183687 (ebook)
Subjects: GSAFD: Romantic suspense fiction.
Classification: LCC PS3602.I445 L58 2020 | DDC 813/.6—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020019993
ISBN 978-1-4391-8358-8
ISBN 978-1-4391-8368-7 (ebook)
A Little Bit of Karma Page 21