LITMIR.BIZ

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for the reprieve, Aly resituated her head on the pillows and studied her anxious friend with greater interest. There was a noticeable weariness to Myrna, given her usual and almost annoying state of cheerfulness. After more than a few seconds of observation, she pushed herself up to half sit among the litter of clothes and pillows.

      “What is it?” Alythia’s demand was present in her amethyst eyes. The orbs contrasted beautifully against the dewy caramel of her skin.

      “Don’t pay me no mind, girl.” She gave an airy wave. “This bridey stuff is already taking its zany effect on my mood.”

      “I don’t buy it.” Alythia raised her hand when Myrna opened her mouth to argue. “I already saw the expression, so spill it.”

      “I’m just being stupid.”

      “Okay...” Alythia’s drawling reply noted that she wasn’t about to argue her friend’s insight.

      Myrna’s smile was more genuine despite the slight strain she couldn’t quite shadow. She tossed a blouse at Alythia’s face.

      “Aly?”

      “Yeah?”

      Myrna moved the clothes to be packed, clearing a spot to sit on the armchair. “What do you think about Orchid’s engagement?” she queried in a tiny voice, as though someone might overhear them even though they were completely alone in the monster penthouse apartment Myrna kept in downtown Charlotte.

      “Why?” Again, Aly pushed herself up a smidge higher on the bed. When Myrna just watched her, she shrugged. “I mean, I’m happy....” She shook her head, certain that there was more to the question.

      “I’m happy, too.” Myrna scooted to the edge of the chair. “But don’t you think it’s all a little too-too soon?”

      “You’re asking this?” Alythia’s words were half matter-of-fact and half playful.

      Myrna Fisher was one of the most sought-after lingerie models in the country. The fact that she was black made the accomplishment even more noteworthy. Still, for all Myrna’s savvy allure, her weakness was for relationships. It was well known that the lovely model didn’t go long without a man on her arm. The woman so adored relationships that she had a tendency to become suffocating—a thing most men didn’t handle well, regardless of the woman’s beauty.

      Moreover, it did Myrna’s reputation no favors to end things with one adoring suitor only to have another one before the close of the following week.

      Appearing somewhat offended by Alythia’s response, Myrna pushed off the chair and returned to holding outfit possibilities before herself in the mirror. “Unlike our friend, at least I don’t pick up random guys to take home.”

      Alythia kept her eyes downcast, allowing wavy jaw-length tresses to shield her expression from Myrna’s sight. Myrna’s usual defense was one of many. To her, partners were significant others. No one seemed to have the heart to tell Myrna those “others” were significant only in her mind.

      “People can change, Mur.”

      “Sure they can, but do people change that much in the span of two weeks?”

      “What do you know?” Alythia tilted her head in an attempt to spy Myrna’s actual face rather than its reflection in the mirror.

      Myrna was cagey, pretending to be involved in her outfits. “There’s nothing that I can prove.” She suddenly whirled around to point a finger in Alythia’s direction. “And I’m not jealous.”

      Aly didn’t think it was wise just then to challenge the vehement declaration as a lie in spite of what she saw lurking in Myrna’s brown eyes.

      Alythia Duffy and her close circle of acquaintances had been friends since middle school. They’d been through tense times but always stuck up for each other and defended each other whether or not that defense was warranted.

      Though with age came a certain clarity, Alythia thought to herself. There were times when one had to see another for what he or she really was. By all accounts, Orchid Benjamin’s reputation had been tarnished by one sexual disgrace after another since high school.

      “I just don’t know if getting married is the best idea for her, that’s all,” Myrna continued.

      Alythia, who was now seated in the middle of the bed with her legs folded beneath her, tuned back into Myrna’s diatribe. “Are you suggesting that we say something to change her mind about going through with the wedding?”

      The question tugged Myrna’s rapt attention off the mirror and the gossamer lounge dress she was debating over. Again she looked to Alythia and gave a smug gaze. “I’ll reserve judgment till I get a bead on the happy couple during our fun-filled getaway.”

      * * *

      Gage Vincent was well respected; his reputation was well earned from his fellow industrial entrepreneurs. That respect turned into merited admiration with a hint of envy when the discussion fixed on his stunning success with the opposite sex. It was regarded with an abundance of love when his close circle of friends was in the vicinity.

      Gage had known his riotous crew since the days of their rough-and-tumble boyhoods. College and grad school had split the foursome for several years but the bonds hadn’t been broken. The four often traded war stories over drinks, dinner, games of cards or games of a more athletic variety.

      While not linked by business, Jayson Muns, Zeke Shepard and Dane Spears were quite appreciative of the fact that Gage’s business saved them the expense of having to purchase their own modes of air travel.

      * * *

      Orchid Benjamin wasn’t overly impressed. The private aircraft had bold silver streaks trekking both sides of the fuselage to meet at the fin to form the letters VID. Not that the plane wasn’t dumbfoundingly impressive and then some, Orchid thought. What gnawed at her was that her fiancé hadn’t had the good taste and judgment to purchase one of his own.

      “I mean, what are we gonna do on future trips?” Orchid asked the woman who had exited the limo behind her. “I know he doesn’t expect me to fly commercial.” She shivered as though the idea were too awful to dwell upon.

      “He probably didn’t see the need, Ork.” Myrna pulled sunglasses from her head and perched them across the bridge of her nose. “What for? When his best friend has three of them?”

      The rationale apparently pacified Orchid enough. She ran across the tarmac to greet her intended with a throaty—and, in Myrna’s opinion, theatrical—kiss.

      Two men stood a few feet away from the affectionate couple. Myrna immediately cast them as friends of the groom. As the other men in her line of sight were in some variation of uniforms, it was a logical guess. From the way they stood back on long legs, hand over mouths, heads inclined toward each other, it also wasn’t hard to guess the topic of their private chatter.

      Myrna had been part of enough staged photo settings to have a fairly passable grasp on reading body language. Yep, she thought, Ork’s rep had surely preceded her on the trip. The surge of an approaching engine caught her ear and Myrna let go of a bit more of her apprehension. She released a purely girlish shriek and hurried over to greet the fourth member of their circle.

      “How’d you guys manage to swing leaving town without the entire local media descending?” Jeena Stewart placed a hand across her brow while observing the jet in the distance.

      “They say Gage Vincent can swing anything.” Myrna dropped a kiss on Jeena’s cheek when they pulled out of their embrace. “Guess that includes leaving town without the whole world knowing about it.”

      Jeena nodded, sudden weariness drawing her face into a tight honey-toned mask. “I wish returning my phone calls were one of those things that he could swing.”

      Myrna masked her smile, knowing Jeena would take it as an insult. Word was—and speculation ran high toward that word

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