Finding Forever by Christina C Jones

Author:Christina C Jones [Jones, Christina C]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Literature & Fiction, United States, African American, Romance, Women's Fiction
Amazon: B00KWQB5JM
Published: 2014-06-10T04:00:00+00:00

— 7 —

— Tori —

I relaxed into the pedicure chair, glass of wine in hand as I tried — unsuccessfully — to cheer myself up. The point of this trip to the spa was to separate myself from the stress of spending the last few days in Chicago with Des, who was now five months pregnant. The plan was to get away, and have a little girl time with my best friend, but I’d spent the majority of the visit between three activities: The most annoying was being lectured on the importance of dating again after a divorce, which I refused to discuss with Des, period, but she was content with telling me — no response needed. Second was being grilled about Avery’s dating progress, which I couldn’t discuss with her anyway. If neither of those were happening, she was raving about her new life with Drew and the impending arrival of the baby, both of which — call me a hater— I didn’t want to discuss, at least not for hours on end. I was happy for Des and Drew, but they were so into each other it was overwhelming sometimes.

Des and I had always been solid friends, like sisters. I wasn’t sure exactly what shifted, but she was starting to make me question our friendship with her criticisms and judgments of my life, especially when it was hypocritical. So, with that weighing on my mind, I’d gone to the spa when she was unavailable, with the intention of being alone to have every bit of anxiety massaged, exfoliated, waxed, clipped, and polished away, but I was no closer to serenity than I’d been when I walked through the door.

I went back to my hotel to shower before I was supposed to join Drew and Des for dinner, but I considered crawling into my bed with a bottle of wine. My mood was gloomy at best, and I didn’t want to be that girl, taking out my frustrations on everyone else. Nevertheless, this was my last night in Chicago. I wasn’t about to cancel the plans that had been in place since before I arrived, so I threw on my ‘uniform’: skinny jeans and a cute top, a little makeup, and brushed my curls into big, puffy waves. By the time I arrived at the restaurant, I had pep-talked myself into a better mood.

Then, I got to our table.

I had to keep myself from rolling my eyes at the sight of Deidra and Wes tagging along with Desiree and Drew. Excellent. Now, instead of enduring one lovey-dovey couple, I had to manage two, and I wasn’t the biggest Deidra fan. I tolerated her for Des.

Somehow, I managed to plaster a smile on my face. “Hey guys! I didn’t realize you were coming too!”

“They were a last minute addition,” Des explained. “They called to invite us out, but of course we already had plans with you, so I figured we could blend it.”

Deidra chimed in. “Yeah, Des is the best, isn’t she? Always thinking up a compromise.

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