Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
She felt rather important. This place accepted clients by appointment only, and it often took months to get a reservation. But Roman had pulled some strings—he had friends in high places—and here she was.
Roman had been adamant that she get whatever gown she wanted from the shop, no matter the price. Regardless, Genesis was frugal by nature. She still wished to find something beautiful, elegant and stunning, that fit her style, but didn’t cost an arm and a leg. Besides, she’d only wear it one time. Standing under the bright, sparkly chandelier, she felt like an empress. This is so pretty… it fits me like a glove. Look at this stitching and detail. To die for…
It was a simple dress but flowed like a dream. She slowly swayed from left to right, admiring her image from all angles. Her mother and best friend gushed over her and complimented the way she looked while she stood in front of a large floor-to-ceiling mirror. The sounds of ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You,’ by Kem, played softly throughout the space, making her feel sentimental and sore with love for her man. Her thoughts abruptly ended when she heard a door slam.
Her sister-in-law, Penny, returned from the restroom, cleared her throat, and sat down, tossing her body in her chair like some bean bag. Bouncy reddish brown curls danced on her head, and she smacked her teeth, looking around as if she were being inconvenienced in some way. Then, the ogre of a woman placed her little expensive beige purse on her lap like a bird needing to perch. Long, bright red stiletto nails tapped impatiently on the Louis Vuitton bag.
Genesis observed Penny from her reflection in the mirror, her irritation at the woman growing by the second. Penny hadn’t even said a word. Frankly, she didn’t need to. The way she sucked joy from a room should have been illegal. Finally, they locked eyes. Penny seemed surprised that Genesis was looking at her—all with the way her lips parted, and she blinked several times to then suddenly turn away.
“Have they offered either of y’all anything to drink?” She shot a look at Mama and Rosie, but didn’t wait for a reply before continuing. “Usually, they offer somethin’ to drink.”
“What do you mean usually, Penny? How many times have you been married?” Rosie asked, attitude dripping from each syllable she spoke.
“I’ve been the Maid and Matron of Honor at plenty of weddings.” Penny sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes, as if it should’ve been obvious. She made a sour face. “And let’s not take potshots at marriages. You have no room to talk.”
“Lady, if I wanted to take a potshot at your marriage, I would. It would have been cut and dry, no passive aggressiveness needed. I wondered how many of these bridal stores you’ve been to, because you tried to pass yourself off as some expert.”
“I didn’t say I was an expert. You just want to argue. Argue with your mama.”
Genesis felt her soul cave in… Rosie’s eyes bucked. Mama lowered her head and shook it. Penny, why in the hell did you say that?! It’s time for hurricane…
“I’d prefer to argue with your mama, but she’s too busy spendin’ your estranged husband’s money, with her broke ass, at another casino. Whore ass Mooch.”
“You had—”
“Shut up. I’m still talkin’, Ms. Rich by Proxy. You got some nerve tryna be slick with that tongue. Sittin’ over there lookin’ like a deranged Tisha Campbell. Put your money where your mouth is. Oh, that’s right, you can’t because you ain’t worked a day in your life.”
“You’re just jealous. Go to hell, Rosie.”
“I will as soon as you jump off a cliff, wit’ yo’ funny lookin’ ass. Jealous of what?! You’re not cute, you’re not smart, and you have a bad attitude! Just a gold-digging cardboard-box-Rubik’s Cube built bitch!”
“Rosie. Stop it,” Mama snapped.
The two women drew quiet, rolling their eyes at one another. After a few moments, Penny went back to the original conversation.
“How in the world do these folks serve people cookies, but have nothing to wash them down with? How ghetto,” Paula said in a hushed tone. “My throat is dry.”
“It’s probably dry from you talkin’ a bunch of smack all damn day, complainin’ like you’re getting paid for it and acting put off, as if we’re taking up your time.”
“You can always leave if you don’t want to hear what I have to say!”
“Leave?! I’m the best friend. You better call 877-Cash-Now, and tell them, ‘It’s my husband’s money, and I need it now!’, Ms. J.G. Wentworth! Don’t you have a bank account to raid or some credit cards to run up? If it ain’t some money, it’s some cookies and water. Greedy ass. What blows me, heffa, is yo’ ass wasn’t even invited,” Rosie snapped.