Another Woman's Man by Shelly Ellis Read Free Book Online Page B

relationship with another family. Within the past year or so, Cynthia had already felt the strong bond between her and her sisters being tested. It was no longer just the Gibbons girls laughing over mani-pedis or conspiring over Saturday brunch how to seduce rich men. Now Lauren and Stephanie were madly in love, involved in their own relationships, and wrapped up in their budding families. They had little time for their sisters anymore. It was just Cynthia and Dawn left, and now it looked like Dawn was going to drift away too.
    â€œA holiday dinner, huh?” Cynthia mumbled sullenly. “So I guess you got a good package deal out of this, then . . . an ‘amazing’ father, a whole new family, and a new sister too.”
    â€œI don’t need a new sister. Believe me, honey, I’ve got enough!”
    â€œYou’re damn right about that.”
    â€œLook, Cindy, don’t worry,” her sister reassured her, reading her mind. “ You’re my sisters—you, Steph, and Lauren—and always will be. I love you guys. Having dinner with my father and his family isn’t going to change that.”
    â€œI know, I know,” Cynthia said, though it warmed her heart to hear those words. She could breathe a little easier now. “So tell me more about the new relatives. What’re their names?”
    Dawn sighed. “Constance and Raquel,” she answered flatly.
    â€œOh, Good Lord, girl! Are you serious? Constance and Raquel? It’s like an episode of Dynasty !”
    â€œI know. I feel like I should show up in a sequined gown and shoulder pads,” Dawn drawled sarcastically.
    Cynthia cracked up laughing, then she quickly quieted. She made another hasty glance over her shoulder to make sure their mother hadn’t heard her.
    â€œI’m the long-lost sister from the wrong side of the tracks!” Dawn exclaimed.
    â€œPardon me? Wrong side of the tracks? We didn’t exactly grow up in the projects.”
    â€œYeah, but we come from gold-digger money. You know people see it differently. They always look down on it.”
    â€œWell,” Cynthia said, casually waving her hand and glancing at her nails, “I’ve never given a damn either way. You know what Mama always says, ‘A hundred dollar bill is a hundred dollar bill, whether it comes from your paycheck or your ex-husband’s wallet.’ ”
    â€œTrue. Very true.”
    â€œSo, next question: When are you going to tell Mama about all this?”
    Dawn moaned. “Oh, God, do I have to?”
    â€œYou’re the one who’s getting chummy-chummy with them! You can’t keep it a secret forever, and the longer you do, the more pissed she’s going to be when she finally finds out.”
    â€œPlease! Mama is more focused on getting married to Daddy Warbucks over there than she is on anything else. Hearing about my father would just be a distraction for her.”
    â€œYeah, right.” Cynthia chuckled. “Coward!”
    â€œCall me what you want, but I think this way is best. And you will continue to keep it a secret until I say not to do so, won’t you, Cindy?”
    Cynthia dropped a hand to her hip and rolled her eyes.
    â€œCindy?” Dawn repeated tersely on the other end of the line. “Promise me you’ll keep it a secret!”
    â€œAll right! All right! I promise. I just think it’s silly. You act like you’re having an affair with him or something.”
    â€œYour opinion is appreciated, but I’ll follow my own opinion for now.” Dawn paused again. “Look, I’ve got to go. I’ve got a meeting with the gallery staff. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
    â€œOkay, talk to you later,” Cynthia said before hanging up her phone.
    She was just about to turn away from the foyer window and head back toward the sitting room where she could hear—even from here—Reginald answer with yet another,