Pink & Patent Leather by Candy Jackson Read Free Book Online

hard for me to give him up. He really did mean a lot to me and I was going to miss him...and his kisses.
    X was skilled, although as good as he was, I was sure that Malik would be better. And my love for Malik would be more complete, since I ’d saved the most important part of myself for him.
    “ Pink!”
    I bl inked, a little embarrassed that I’d allowed my thoughts to wander like that while I was sitting so close to the altar. I looked up; Malik and Xavier stood side by side at the podium and Malik’s arm was outstretched toward me.
    Malik said, “ Pink, would you come forward?”
    Since my mind had been on...other things, I wasn ’t quite sure what had happened. Why had Malik called my name? Why did he want me to come up to the altar?
    I almost didn ’t feel worthy to approach the altar at this moment, but in obedience, I stood, placed my clutch on the pew behind me, and slowly made my way to the front. The entire time, my eyes were on Malik, and his were on me. When I got to the two steps that led to the raised altar, he came down to hold my hand and help me up.
    The momen t we touched, a warm, tingling sensation filled me completely. The skin-to-skin contact was so electrifying, that I had to pull away. But Malik wouldn’t let me go.  The current that had just surged through me, had gone through him, too. I knew it by the way his eyes widened with surprise, then he shook himself as if he were trying to get rid of the feeling. I almost did a cartwheel right there. Malik didn’t know what hit him.
    My eyes were still locked on Malik ’s, but I could feel Xavier looking at me, too. Malik positioned me to his right and he stood between me and Xavier.
    “ Church,” Malik started, “I’ve asked these two young people to join me here at the pulpit today because I want you all to know that I’ve chosen them to head our Singles’ Ministry.”
    What? He wanted me to do what with Xavier?
    There was light, polite applause.
    When the congregation became quiet again, Malik said, “Let me tell you about these two young people. Some of you may remember Sister Sasha, or should I say, Sister Pink.” He paused and then Malik’s eyes roamed from my head to my four-inch stilettos that still didn’t bring me close enough to his lips. “Yes, we call her Pink, for obvious reasons.”
    That little remark earned him a little praise from the brothers; there were chuckles of appre ciation from the men. But from the sisters? Well, you know the deal. 
    He went on to say, “ While Sister Pink was away at school, she began her own ministry on the campus of Spelman College, and then, along with Minister Xavier,” he faced X before he turned back to me, “they began spreading the word of God through prayers sessions for the young folk at both of their schools.”
    Murmurs of approval rang through the sanctuary and I shifted from one leg to the other. It felt funny standing up here with Malik in f ront of the congregation. I mean, yes, I expected to be standing here next to him. I imagined that we would announce our relationship to everyone one Sunday morning after Malik began his divorce proceedings. I was ready for that, but I wasn’t ready for this—here with Malik and Xavier. And the three of us standing together as Malik announced that he wanted me to work with Xavier. This didn’t make sense. This wasn’t right.
    “ I’m so proud of both of them,” Malik continued, “and that’s why I want them to take on this project together. Who better to replace Sister Sherita and Brother Charles!”
    Amens and laughter rose through the congregation.
    I frowned. What did everyone know that I didn’t?
    “ Oh, Sister Pink,” Malik said to me, but he was still facing the congregation. “You probably don’t know this, but the Singles’ Ministry has been led by Sister Sherita and Brother Charles for the last four years. And they’ve done a wonderful job. So wonderful that the two of them married...and they’re right now, on