Page 1 of Love Next Door
“Girl,you are going to rock these outfits. Have you ever thought about modeling, Abril?”
“Nona, you know my daddy would have my tail. Half the stuff those girls go through, I would never put up with.”
“But you’re so beautiful.”
“Thank you, sis. But I can tell you one thing I’m not gon’ do.”
“What’s that?”
“Starve myself to death to fit into those tiny outfits. Besides, at five-two, nobody’s about to hire me to model anything but kids’ clothing.”
We laughed. Although I was a slim girl, I had curves that I loved and embraced. I wasn’t ashamed of them, and I never wanted to be model thin.
“I know that’s right, honey.” She tilted her head a little as she handed me my receipt and bag. Nona’s Notions was my favorite boutique to shop at.
“What?”
“How are you really doing?”
“I’m fine. Oh, you’re talking about Devon’s and my breakup?”
“Mm-hmm.” She nodded.
I waved my hand. “Girl, one of us has to quit being so stubborn. I guess it’ll be me as usual, though. This breakup and makeup is getting old, but I miss him so much. I’ll hit him up later on this evening and invite him over for drinks so we can talk.”
Her eyes widened, and her mouth formed a little “O.”
“What’s wrong, Nona?”
“You don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?”
She glanced nervously around and cleared her throat. “Devon’s getting married.”
“What? You’re kidding me.” I laughed and shook my head.
“Abril, I wouldn’t tease you about something like that.”
“When? To who?” My eyes widened, and I rubbed my arms absently as I tried to process what she said.
She cleared her throat again, and I smacked my hand on the counter. “To who, Nona?” I demanded, trying not to cry.
“Her name’s Sasha.”
I squinted. That name sounded so familiar to me. Then it hit me. I recalled that I’d caught him talking to a girl with that name once when I was at his place. Devon had immediately ended the call, and he told me it was a client for his personal training business.
“When?”
“Today.”
“Today?” My voice came out as a high, unrecognizable shriek as I became lightheaded.
“St. James Episcopalian Church over on Highland.”
My skin grew warm, and my chest tingled. I felt an anxiety attack coming on. Clutching my bags and tugging my purse higher up my arm, I muttered, “I gotta go.”
“Where are you going?” Nona called after me, but I didn’t stop. I rushed out of the store, blindly making my way across the street to my car. Horns blared, and I barely avoided getting hit.
