My Destiny by Adrianne Byrd Read Free Book Online Page B

of frustration.
    “Destiny?” Lu Jin’s concerned voice floated throughout the apartment.
    Destiny removed the pillow. “Go away.”
    The front door closed and she heard the soft clicking of high heels as they headed toward her room.
    Lu Jin stopped when she reached the bedroom door. She crossed her arms and glanced around. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”
    Destiny sat up and propped her pillow against the headboard. “I want my key back.”
    “People in hell want iced water.”
    They gave each other a sour look.
    “When was the last time you cleaned this place up?” Lu Jin moved farther into the room, carefully stepping over piles of clothes.
    “I forget.”
    Lu Jin sat on the edge of the bed and jumped when she heard something crumple beneath her. She removed a pack of crackers and sat down again. “All right. Enough games. What’s bothering you?”
    “Nothing. Since when is it against the law to vegetate in the privacy of one’s home?”
    “Why are you snapping at me? Because I’m concerned?”
    Lu Jin always had a way of dancing around Destiny’s anger.
    “I’m just taking some time out to reevaluate my life. No big deal.” Destiny cringed. She was beginning to sound like a broken record.
    “Reevaluate? That sounds like guilt or regret talking. What do you have to feel guilty about?”
    “Nothing, Lu Jin. You know my life is perfect, ” she sneered.
    “I don’t know about perfect, but from where I stand it don’t look too shabby.” She shrugged while she thought about it. “In a few years you should make partner. You’re engaged to Jefferson Altman— gorgeous Jefferson Altman, I may add.”
    “You marry him, since you think so highly of him.”
    Lu Jin frowned. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you like this.” She leaned forward and placed a hand over Destiny’s forehead, which was promptly slapped away.
    “Stop it. I don’t have a fever.”
    “Come on. Talk to me.”
    Another smart retort crested Destiny’s tongue, but she managed to prevent it from tumbling out. Through the brief ensuing silence Destiny could feel her friend’s heavy gaze follow her every move. She had no choice but to confess. “I thought I could take his place. I want to fulfill his dreams, but I don’t think I can do it anymore.”
    Lu Jin pulled away. “Who are you talking about?”
    Destiny read suspicion in Lu Jin’s face and knew her answer wouldn’t come as a total surprise. “Adam. Who else?”
    * * *
    Miles returned to his condo after completing a four-mile run. It was just what he needed to relieve his stressful week and begin a fun-filled weekend. He closed the door and made a beeline to the refrigerator where he grabbed a nearly empty bottle of Gatorade and drained it.
    He glanced at his watch and assessed it shouldn’t take him more than half an hour to shower and change. As he headed toward the bedroom, he pushed the play button on the answering machine.
    “Hey, buddy. Wes here. I was just calling to make sure we’re still on for the night. Donna has already called me half a million times to make sure I have a date for her cousin. I’m counting on you so hit me on my cell when you get this message.”
    Miles smiled at the note of desperation in his best friend’s voice and knew just where Wes was coming from. They had pulled the same favor for each other more times than either cared to remember. Generally, he had a good time with the women his buddy set him up with, probably because they shared the same taste in women—the no-fuss, no-strings-attached type.
    Of course, his mother still plagued him about settling down. Her efforts grew more desperate as the years rolled by, but Miles had no intention of sentencing another child to the Stafford curse.
    In the shower, he relished the water’s pulsing rhythm and allowed himself to wonder what his date looked like. Exactly thirty minutes later, Miles was ready to go. He gave the place a quick