Every Woman Needs a Wife by Naleighna Kai Read Free Book Online

Perfect Fit a success. He stood absently in the middle of the floor, eyes darting around, landing on each person, reality dawning with each passing moment.
    Brandi strolled over to the stereo, flipped in a tape, and punched “Play.” Soon the sounds of his strong tenor voice filled the room—begging, pleading, and groveling. The micro recorder she had had hidden in her bra at Tanya’s home had recorded much clearer than she thought possible.
    Tori, her younger cousin, and Avie, her best friend since high school, reached up to the anniversary banner. Pulling it down, they revealed a “Bon Voyage” banner. Cousin Thomas, wearing a navy sheriff’s uniform,strolled by Vernon, patting the shocked man on the back. Stuffing a jumbo shrimp in his mouth, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a document, which he handed to the stunned husband.
    Vernon looked around, then down at the papers in his hand, growling, “What’s this?”
    Thomas struggled to speak around his mouthful of food. “It’s called the new rules of the house. This is a contract Brandi wants you to sign, giving her the right to split the business and start her own company.” Thomas grinned. “She thought you’d have a problem with this, but judging from all that begging you were doing, she doesn’t need to worry, eh bud?”
    People gaped, still listening to Vernon’s voice on the tape; they stared, murmured, and pointed, trying to grasp the reality of the situation. Soon, the room filled with hearty chuckles. Everyone but their parents found the whole thing funny. Vernon’s father and Brandi’s mother glowered at both of them.
    Uh-oh, Brandi was in a bit of trouble, too. She avoided eye contact with the woman who had helped her make every major decision of her life—including marrying Vernon instead of her first love. She hadn’t bothered to ask her about this, knowing what her mother would say.
    When the tape finally switched off, Brandi said, “All right, let’s keep the party going,” as though she hadn’t destroyed thirteen years of her life with a flick of the wrist.
    “DJ,” she said to her brother Donny, “give me something I can move to.”
    Slowly, people hit the dance floor as a stepper’s cut came on. Others gravitated back to the buffet and wine table, all abandoning the need for immediate answers. Good food and good wine can do that—a party is a party.
    Brandi’s gaze landed on the silver-haired woman with a wineglass in her hand in the middle of the dance floor. The woman’s wide smile as she lifted the glass and winked gave Brandi a moment of relief.
Even my mother-in-law finds it hilarious
, she thought.
    Bettye Spencer sauntered over; weaving through the dancing bodies, she managed to not spill a single drop. “Now, I don’t appreciate the way yougot me to this…divorce party.” She took a sip of Verdi Spumanti. “But I sure appreciate your style.”
    For the first and only time that night, Brandi felt a stab of guilt. She stood toe-to-toe with Bettye wishing she had even an ounce of the grace and calm the older woman had shown when she found out about her own husband’s infidelity. “I wanted to be sure Vernon couldn’t lie to you and keep you on his side. Now everyone knows the truth. He can’t spin the story in his favor.”
    “Vernon wouldn’t be able to touch our relationship anyway,” Bettye said, grasping Brandi’s hands with golden brown, weathered ones. “We’ll always remain close.”
    “I’m glad to hear that. Your wisdom has helped me in a lot of ways, and I love you,” Brandi said, embracing the small, gracefully built woman, whose soft brown eyes and warm spirit had helped her in more ways than she could count.
    “I know that, child.” Bettye’s gaze fell to her son. “Vernon hasn’t been inclined to seek me out for any reason. His loyalty’s been to his father since our divorce. Vernon followed the money—”
    “When he should’ve followed his heart,” Brandi replied.