“ Well?  Asked Jasmine.

“ I have always wondered what that was like,” Brad said.

“Not the kiss! The birthmark, Jasmine replied.

“Oh! Yes, the birthmark. It looks like a grape, but it’s sweet as a cherry” He laughed only to hide the rapid beating of his heart. He didn’t want her to know how bad he wanted her at this moment.

Jasmine leaned in between his thighs as his pounding heartbeat raced out of control in the one place he couldn’t hide.  She slowly unzipped his jeans halfway.  Saying nothing, Brad signaled her with a stroke of his tongue across her left ear, then whispered.

“Let me inside of you”…

Jasmine slid her fingers inside the opening of his pants, and released his belt, as Brad lifted her up to his waist.. Jasmine wrapped her legs around him and found herself in a position on the folding table that was a pleasure beyond description. Brad moved to feel her every motion. He was an attentive lover and there was something about the way she looked him in the eyes. He fell for her like most men did with no control over his feelings as they surrendered to one another. The Tigers lost the game the next day due to Brad’s fumble on the 5-yard line, but he won off the field with Jasmine if only for a season.

   ­­­­­___________

 “Jasmine”! Brad struggled to shout out above the music.”What the hell are you doing here”?

“Making a quick thousand do you know the lucky bast…, I mean bachelor “?

“You looking at ’em, I don’t know about luck, but I’ll be getting married next month”.

“Again”?

“What about you? A long way from Wall Street aren’t you”?

“My ex-husband negotiated far too many business deals that included me as a bonus package without my permission”.

Jasmine took out an assortment of whipped frosting, honey, and strawberries for Brad who suddenly showed zero interest as he searched the room for his jacket.

“Your ex…what was his name again?”

“Pimp”. But enough about me, who is wife num…ber ?”

“Three”. Christina Taylor”.

“Brad has really fallen in love?”

“She loves me.” Brad said nonchalantly.

“They always love you”.

The early morning sun lit up Christina’s bedroom, but she was already awake.  Her thoughts were consumed with an endless “to do” list. The magazine was waiting for her Editor’s note, and her wedding planner was expected any moment to finalize details.  Just as she was about to roll over, cover her head, and drift back to sleep, there was a knock at the door. Christina quickly dashed into the restroom to freshen up then rushed to the door smiling. A smile that quickly disappeared.

“Daddy, what are you doing here?”

“Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“I don’t need this right now, ok?

Mr. Taylor walked past his daughter into the kitchen and rambled through the cupboards until locating his favorite coffee mug.

 “I just want you to ask yourself if marrying this man is truly what you deserve.” He asked preparing the coffee. Christina couldn’t respond.

“In the next three weeks, If you still feel that way, I will walk you down the aisle. It will be under protest, but I will do it. That’s how much I love you. I have said my piece now, you do what you have to.”

She just watched him get back on the elevator. Ten seconds later her cell phone rang. It was Brad, but she allowed it to go to voicemail.  As the phones continued to ring for the next few minutes she sat down at her laptop and typed.

SOMEBODY SHOULD ASK A WOMAN:  ARE YOU GETTING WHAT YOU DESERVE”?   

When the next online issue of SHE SAID  was released Christina could not answer the many phone calls emails or unsolicited responses fast enough. New subscriptions sales went through the roof, and a wave of T-Shirt sales she did not profit from.

Three days before the ceremony Joshla called with an issue with the cake toppers. The groom was missing from the order.

  “I’m glad you called me.” Christina said, I was just about to call you”.

“The rest of the bridesmaids are here too, can I put you on the speaker-phone? Joshla asked.

  “Sure. This won’t take long. A good friend of mine once said she thought I was smart enough to rule a country, and my Dad says that I deserve to be treated like royalty”.

“Can we have the edited version  please” asked Cy’Nethia

 “I’m not going to marry Brad.” She calmly answered.

“What… why not”? Shouted Joshla, immediately taking her off the speaker- phone.

“To be perfectly honest, Brad is not what I truly deserve”.

I deserve, someone who understands who I am, what I am passionate about. I deserve to feel safe, secure and loved. I need someone who values and believes in our God’s plan, direction and purpose. Not just another body to comfort him when he doesn’t want to be alone. Brad can live without me. I am about to find out how I can live without him.

Christina pulled out her favorite running shoes, popped in her earplugs and pulled out her mobile tape recorder.Note to self :

Question: Is there really such a thing as “Living Happily Ever After?”

Answer: Yes, there is.

FC Hickombottom 1-24-22