Put A Ring On It by Allison Hobbs Read Free Book Online Page B

make me the laughingstock.”
    “If you feel that you’re being upstaged, then it’s your own fault.You and Eric want to downsize your wedding, so go ahead. I won’t try and stop you. Courtney wants a big wedding and your father and I are going to make sure she has one.”
    “That’s my point, Mother. I’ve had to work hard to be a success, but Courtney gets everything handed to her on a silver platter.”
    “You can’t blame your sister for having the good sense to marry someone who can take care of her,” her mother snidely commented.
    “I can take care of myself. I don’t need anyone to take care of me,” Nivea shot back.
    “I know you can, Nivea,” her mother said in a softer tone. “There’s nothing wrong with allowing a man to take care of you. It’s natural for woman to desire the kind of man who can be relied on to provide for her.”
    Though spoken gently, her mother’s words hurt deeply. “Are you going to pretend that Courtney isn’t marrying that fake doctor?”
    “There’s nothing fake about podiatry.”
    “Knox is studying podiatric medicine, Mother! Oh my God, don’t you realize that podiatrists are so low on the totem pole; they’re not even recognized as real doctors.”
    “I beg to differ, young lady.”
    “Seriously, they don’t earn—”
    “He’s going to earn plenty and watch your mouth.”
    “Bullshit! I’m grown, so don’t tell me to watch my mouth. This is my house and—”
    “You sound bitter, Nivea,” her mother interrupted. “You sound bitter and jealous of your baby sister.”
    “I have no reason to be jealous of her. I’m just saying…Courtney is always trying to outdo me. And you and Daddy…you guys allow it. I can’t believe you’re both eager to co-sign on her decision to marry a damn foot fetishist!”
    “Knox is ambitious. I’ll have you know that his family’s churchis one hundred percent behind him. That young man’s church is raising money to get him set up in private practice.”
    “It takes a lot more than some church donations to set up a practice.”
    “Knox is going to buy out one of the parishioner’s practice. I’ve obviously overstayed my welcome.” Denise set the coffee mug on the kitchen table and stood.
    Nivea followed her mother into the living room. She silently watched her mother slide into her coat. “Listen, Nivea. Nobody is out to get you,” Mrs. Westcott said as she pulled her hat on her head. “It’s your own fault that you chose to marry that grubby, uneducated, warehouse worker.”
    Leaving Nivea to marinate on those last hurtful words, Denise Westcott slammed the door behind her.

CHAPTER 10
    O ver the phone, Harlow finished telling Vangie her account of the Water Nymph incident. “Testosterone levels were high, girl. There was all kinds of crazy on that boat. I don’t ever want to be stuck in the middle of the ocean on a private yacht again.”
    “The way Drake defended your honor sounds extremely romantic,” Vangie said dreamily.
    “I couldn’t even enjoy my moment. I felt like I was in a scene from a gangster flick. Those Africans were reaching for pistols, and Alphonso and Drake weren’t backing down.”
    “Mmm. Alphonso is starting to sound real good. When are you going to hook us up? You know I love bad boys.”
    “I’m serious, Vangie. There was nothing funny about that situation. They were talking about spilling blood and tossing mofos to the sharks. And I couldn’t talk any sense into Drake. He was so furious, he was ready to wage a war on the ship. I’ve honestly never seen that side of him, Vangie. He was scary.”
    “Scary enough to call off the wedding? I know you’re not tryna take that big bling off your finger.”
    “Hell no!” Harlow laughed. “Oh, Vangie, can you believe it? Drake and I are engaged!”
    “Congrats, girl. But you’re leaving something out.”
    “No, I’m not.”
    “What else is Drake into? I wouldn’t think that someone in the business of selling cars