Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
When I open my eyes, I glance out the window and the sight before me takes my breath away. Zariah looks like a fucking knockout. Her hair is flowing down her back in loose brown waves.
The black dress that’s hugging her body is sexy but classy. Her dark-brown legs look amazing. That body still screams track star.
I clear my throat and reach for the door handle to open the door and step out. Three things happen at the same time. I step from the vehicle and run a hand through the front of my hair. Gilbert Manning walks up to Zahirah and places a hand on her back.
Zahirah looks in my direction and freezes with her mouth open. I can’t help but smile at her. A smile brightens her face for a brief second before it falters and she frowns.
I inhale deeply and force my feet forward. This is it, it’s now or never. Strolling across the lot, I close the gap between us.
“Bentley?” she breathes as I stop before her.
“Hey, Zah.”
I can’t take my eyes off her face. Zah has the clearest skin I’ve ever seen. Her dark-brown complexion has this glow about it. It looks like the purest dark chocolate kissed by hues of bronze and gold.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, looking up into my eyes, searching.
“You’re getting married. My family was invited.”
“Coswell, I wasn’t expecting you. This event is by invitation and RSVP only. I don’t know that there’s a place for you tonight,” Gilbert says with a smug grin on his face.
“Oh, that’s not a problem. My mother RSVP’d. I’m her plus-one,” I reply, returning his smile with a shit-eating one of my own.
“Oh. My. God. I should have known our mothers were up to something. Gilbert, I’m so sorry about this.”
“What is there to be sorry about? We grew up together. Gilbert and I were once friends. I don’t see the problem.”
Zahirah sighs and rubs her temples. “Bentley, can you and I do this some other time?”
“No, not if it means you’ll be married to someone else.”
She looks at me with wide eyes. “Are you serious?”
I give her a pointed look. Gilbert moves her behind him and steps forward to get into my face. I roll my shoulders back.
The nerve of this asshole. I’ve always known he’s wanted Zahirah. He’s not who she thinks he is.
“Maybe you should go. She doesn’t want you here and after tomorrow, I don’t want you around my wife.”
“Gilbert,” Zah gasps. “Can I talk to you?”
I release a grin. Gilbert growls in my face but takes a step back and Zah tugs at his arm.
Pussy.
“I’ll be waiting right here for my turn,” I say as they begin to walk away.
Gilbert stops and turns toward me with his fists balled. I don’t even flinch. I will lay his ass out if he jumps at me. Gilbert ought to know better.
While we were once friends, I’ve kicked his ass more than once. I’d be happy to do it again.
I can’t believe he went after my girl behind my back. I’m not surprised. He has always been a pretentious asshole.
I can’t begin to fathom why Zah has gotten involved with him. He’s not her type. The jerk has to be putting on airs to get her to fall for his shit.
Gilbert opens his mouth to spew some crap when a loud cry fills the air. We all turn to see what’s going on. I sprint into action as soon as I see what’s taking place.
My heart is in my throat. This can’t be happening. I stop breathing until I make my way over to my mother, sisters, brothers, and ...
“Mom?” Zah cries as she drops to her knees.
Zahirah
“Mom? Mom,” I cry as my mother lies on the ground.
My ears are ringing, and my heart is racing. What is going on? I can’t lose my mom.
“She said she wasn’t feeling well in the car and passed out as we were making our way inside,” Mrs. Coswell says as she wrings her hands.
My mom and Mrs. Fran have become as close as Erica and I are. They have seen each other through a lot. The two are inseparable.
“Someone call for an ambulance, please,” I sob.
“I already did. They’re on the way,” Bentley says from beside me.
He has taken his jacket off to place beneath my mother’s head. I shouldn’t be so grateful to have him here. However, I am.
He wraps an arm around my shoulders and tugs me into him. It feels like coming home. He smells so good, and his arm banding around me feels so strong and warm.
Memories try to flood my mind, but I push them back. I don’t have time for that right now. I need to focus on my mom.
“It’s going to be fine. I’m here,” he whispers in my ear.