An Unexpected Love (Women's Fiction/BWWM Romance) by Stacy-Deanne Read Free Book Online Page A

can say friends all you want, but
this…” Corrine gestured to the spread. “…is not a friendly picnic. This is a romantic picnic.”
    “That’s ridiculous.” Layla’s face grew
hot. “He’s a very nice guy, and he’s concerned about me. That’s all.”
    “He wants to fuck you.” Corrine tossed Cross’ sandwich back in the basket. “And
you’re divorced now, so it’s no big deal right?”
    “Excuse me?”
    “What?” Corrine smirked. “You can’t fuck
in here?”
    “Girl, shut up.” Layla playfully hit her.
“Ain’t nobody gonna be fuckin’ anyone in here.”
    Corrine snickered. “Did you tell Cross
that?”
    “I told you for the last time: we’re just friends .”
    “And you know you’ve always liked white
boys.” Corrine rocked her foot. “That’s all you dated in school. That’s why
everyone was surprised when you brought home Patrick.”
    “You’re getting on my last nerve with
this. Nothing is going on between me
and Cross.”
    “I bet he’s the only person you’ve hung
with since you got here.” Corrine put her chin in the air. “Say I’m wrong.”
    “Yeah, we sit out here and talk. So what? We
also play in the rec room, and sometimes we watch TV in each other’s rooms.”
    “Ooh.” Corrine waved her finger. “You can
tell yourself you’re just friends all you want. But that man wants you, and you
want him.”
    Layla rolled her eyes. “And I’m the crazy
one?”
    “I saw how you were looking at him when he
walked away, and I saw how he looked at you. You know you’re attracted to him.”
    “Okay, maybe I am.” Layla leaned back on
her elbows. “I won’t lie and say he isn’t gorgeous. You saw him. But, I don’t
wanna be with the man if that’s what you’re thinking. No.”
    “Why not?”
    “ Hello ?”
She snapped her fingers in Corrine’s face. “I’m in here for a schizophrenic
breakdown. I didn’t come here for a date.”
    “Layla, you of all people should know that
life is short. Did you ever think that Cross might become a special person in
your life?”
    “No. For God sakes, I’ve only known him
for a month.” She sat up. “We’re just friends, Corrine. Can we drop this,
please?”
    “I’m just saying, I see something between
you two. I mean, look at your face. You haven’t looked this happy in a long
time. If Cross has something to do with that…is that a bad thing?”
    “I’m trying to get my life together. The
last thing I need is to jump into another relationship. Please, let’s talk
about something else.”
    “Okay.” Corrine looked around the yard.
“You said you’ve been depressed lately? Been lonely?”
    “No. Mom and Val came by last night, and
we hung out for a while. It was fun. Shanti came to see me twice last week. I’m
not lonely.”
    “Momma and Val visited you last night?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Oh and they didn’t think to tell me?”
Corrine sucked her lip. “I might’ve wanted to come.”
    “You know you and Val don’t get along. I’m
sure Momma didn’t feel like playing referee all night, and I sure as hell
didn’t.”
    “And whose fault is it we don’t get along?”
    “Yours.” Layla pointed. “Must I do a
rundown of all the shit you did to Val when we were growing up?”
    “This has nothing to do with us not
getting along as kids. She’s still trying to blame me for her not having a baby.
You don’t think I pushed her on purpose do you?”
    “No.”
    Layla avoided eye contact. At least I hope to hell you didn’t.
    “I don’t know what to do.” Corrine sighed.
“I’ve tried to reason with her. I’ve asked Momma to talk sense into her. I even
prayed about it, and you know I don’t ever pray unless something’s really bad.”
    Layla broke off a blade of grass and
twisted it around her finger. “That’s true.”
    “I swear on everything that’s important to
me.” Corrine lifted her hand. “I swear on Daddy that I did not push her down
those stairs. I would never do that. God, how