Pleasure After Hours by AlTonya Washington

Author:AlTonya Washington
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Charleston, South Carolina—Edisto Beach…

Phillip and Aileen Grahame had enjoyed the perks of early retirement and left their native Charleston to move next door to the equally stunning Edisto Island. With its glorious view of the Atlantic, the Grahames had enjoyed several years at their beautiful island home until Phillip’s passing three years prior.

The couple’s five daughters wouldn’t allow their mother an instant of loneliness and the family had remained a close-knit group. The three youngest girls, separated in birth by only a year each, divided their time between home and college in Columbia, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Temple and her twin Tempest were the eldest of the five. Tempest lived in Charleston with her husband of six years, Gregor Hammond. Temple had been the only one of the five to completely pull up roots and relocate.

“Well, how could you just leave like that?”

“Wasn’t he as good as he looks?”

“Girl, hush! Of course he’s as good as he looks.”

Temple only shook her head while going about her unpacking. As her luck would have it, her three baby sisters were home for the next two weeks. Temple had completely forgotten Tempest and Gregor would be celebrating their anniversary at week’s end. A huge soiree was already planned.

Helena Grahame threw a pillow at her younger sisters Aliya and Gladys. “Y’all cool it talkin’ about Mataeo,” she snapped.

Temple turned to catch Aliya in the midst of a shrug. “It’s just a long story, all right?”

“And you ain’t about to share it with us,” Gladys said.

Temple closed her eyes, not even attempting to hide her uneasiness from her sisters. “It’s not that, Glad, just…it’s just too convoluted to go into right now.” She sighed, regretting the girls had overheard (or eavesdropped) on her conversation with their mother when she’d arrived.

Helena cocked her head toward the guest room door and they began making their exit.

“Sorry we butted in, Tem.” Helena slapped her hands on the sides of her linen jumper and shrugged. “We know we don’t have as much experience as Mama or Tess, but we are good listeners.”

“Oh, honeys.” Temple forgot her weariness and crossed the room to her sisters. “I love you guys.” She pulled them into hugs. “Tell Mama I’m gonna take a nap but I’ll be down to help with dinner, okay?” she said while stepping out of the embrace.

Alone, Temple strolled out to the balcony overlooking the back of the property. How could I leave like that? She repeated Aliya’s question.

She’d pissed away a perfect opportunity for them to hash it all out for good. Now they’d creep around what had happened, which would only add to the tension and lessen the chances for them to come out of the entire situation as friends.

Friends, ha! If there was one thing she knew: Mataeo North didn’t remain friends with the women he’d quickly loved and let go. She doubted he even started out with them as friends.

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