Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Tiana hands over the key as a look of shame comes to her face. Yeah, I’m making it a priority this week to find her replacement. Neither situation sits well with me. Kennedy’s snacks are on a timer and Billy shouldn’t be waiting for pants this long.
I turn to get him some pants and then find him in the bathroom to help him out, leaving Tiana looking lost. She knows what’s coming. I don’t play about any of these kids.
Shawna
“Oh, you left Miss Brownie,” I say, turning back to grab the doll from under the auditorium seat.
All the kids were phenomenal. True and Cat were the stars of the show though. Cat can sing and True has the rap persona down to a T. I liked his lyrics too.
“Thank you,” Vernice says and squeezes my hand, which she hasn’t released.
Josh places a hand on top of her head and the other on the small of my back. I feel so overdressed, but I came straight from my mother’s event. I had initially promised to volunteer here for the day.
Josh kisses my temple. “You want to have dinner with us?”
“Please,” Vernice looks up to say.
“Oh, now you have to. This kid doesn’t take to just anyone.”
“Who do we have here?” A guy with dark hair and eyes says as he stops in front of me.
“Hi, I’m Shawna,” I say with a smile.
“Jeff, nice to meet you,” the guy replies with a smug grin on his lips.
“Oh, heck nah. You better back up—”
“Hey, Vernice,” Josh says, cutting her off. “Can you take Shawna to find True and Cat? We need to go home.”
“Okay,” she mutters. “Come on, Miss Shawna. I can show you my artwork in the halls.”
Chapter 48
A Little Push
Shawna
Two months later…
I was surprised when Zoe called to offer me an exhibit in her gallery. However, I was even more surprised when she offered to help me with a little problem I was having.
Zoe is probably the most confident woman I know outside of my family and she knows Josh. So I felt safe asking her if she knew anything I could do to get him to notice I was trying to advance our relationship.
I don’t believe I’m doing a great job of flirting. It could be that he’s always so tired when we do get to spend time together, but I wanted to at least try something different.
So here I am. I’m learning to pole dance and I have to admit, I’m finding a bit more confidence. The woman in the mirror before me looks strong, sexy, and ready to take on the world.
“Yes, Shawna, let it all out. You can’t seduce a man until you can seduce yourself. Fall in love with you, honey. Own who you are,” Zoe calls as I sweat my ass off and dance through the song.
My chest is heaving by the time she cuts the music off. I wipe the sweat from my brow with my forearm and stumble over to my towel.
“That was good, my love. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks.”
“It takes a lot to find yourself after a man destroys your confidence, but it’s not impossible to come back stronger than ever.”
“You say that as if you know from experience.”
She gets this look in her eyes. It fades quickly and the confidence I know her for returns. I’ve come to like this woman, but I know she has secrets.
“I haven’t said this out loud in years. Come sit,” she says, patting the space on the floor beside where she’s sitting.
I sit beside her and pull my knees into my chest. Not wanting to rush her, I’m silent as she seems to gather her thoughts. She looks me in the eyes and gives me a sad smile.
“I graduated top of my class. I had big plans. Returning to Bridge Lake hadn’t been one of them.
“However, my father had other plans for me. Plans I followed as a dutiful daughter. I married who he wanted, sat on the boards he wanted me to, and then one day, it all changed.
“My father passed away and my husband became this monster. I thought I was trapped. The only person who knew what was going on was my best friend. She saved my life.
“At first, when she tried to get me to leave, I didn’t think I could. I didn’t think I’d ever get out, but she never gave up. She stood by my side.
“She was the one to help me find an out. I was a shell of the woman I had been, but once I found my way out, I promised I’d never find myself in a situation like that again. I haven’t looked back since.”
“What happened to your husband?” I ask.
“I think he’s dead. I asked for him to be spared, but I don’t think he was. You want to know the truth?”