Sinful Too by Victor McGlothin Read Free Book Online Page B

she reasoned. His queen couldn’t be far off, so she approached the television that exploited the fervor he’d caused. The camera stayed on a woman with a fair complexion seated on the end of the second row in the middle section. Next to her were two girls. Both of them favored Richard. One was clearly a teenager and the other, somewhat younger. Dior scribbled a note to herself.
At least two kids . . . no boys to speak of. Wifey has seen her better days. She might be tougher than she looks. Bet she ain’t tougher than me.
Dior clicked off the television and then paced back and forth in her den like a general on the battlefield. She had been involved with married men before, including her part time romance with Giorgio. She was also tired of watching other women have it better than she did. Although she experienced less than favorable outcomes when previously taking shortcuts in life, she convinced herself that she’d simply gone about things the wrong way before. Dior regretted not putting herself first. She’d assumed that second place in relationships was just as good because it came with half the drama. Now that she’d seen the diamond life, she reasoned there was only first and last. Dior was way past tired of finishing last.

Six
    Don’t Push
    T wo days had passed since Dior began making plans to change Richard’s life by implanting herself into it. She wasn’t in the least bit concerned about his family, the potential complications that an affair could introduce, or his soul salvation. Assuming the “first lady” title of Methodist Episcopal Greater Apostolic was her goal, period. She spent Tuesday morning at the local library, Googling Richard’s name and that of the church he helped grow from a few hundred to an overwhelming multitude. Ten thousand loyal fans, as Dior thought of them, made for a very stable career, unlimited income, and loads of perks. She left the library then headed to a posh day spa for a Brazilian bikini wax followed by a deep-tissue massage. Giorgio left three messages during her spoil session. Each time he called, she read his name on the tiny screen then ignored the phone as if he’d never called. When she did return his summons, she made up an excuse about being busy with her landlord. Giorgio went for her lies and she went on plotting her steps to snag a local celebrity with a bank account she wanted her name on.
    Mr. Dabnis Keith was so eager to pick up the articles of clothing he’d purchased at Dior’s behest that he was sitting outside of the shop when the store opened at ten o’clock. Suza fiddled with paperwork in the office while Dior raised the metal gate. “Look at what the cat drug in,” she hailed pleasantly. “It’s Mr. Sinbad Keith in the flesh.”
    “Good morning, sweetie,” he chuckled, grunting when he stood up. Getting his heavy body moving all at once was a task, Dior thought as she watched him shuttle into the store. His smile was as wide as his belly.
    “Wait a cotton-picking minute. Stop right there,” she barked playfully. “If you keep losing weight like this, my tailor is going to get a bad rep.”
    He laughed so hard his stomach shook. “I can’t believe you noticed that right off, Dior. I’ve been so excited to see myself in some fine vines I couldn’t eat a single thing all weekend. My wife thinks I’m crazy but a man my age has few things to look forward to. I’ve been telling all of my friends about you. Maybe they’ll come in and let you spruce them up too.”
    Dior’s grin matched Mr. Keith’s inch for inch. “I’m glad to help when I can, Mr. Keith, and thank you so much for sending referrals my way.” She went into the back to retrieve his altered suits. He followed behind her, beaming from ear to ear. “Why don’t you wait over by the fitting room and I’ll bring them out. I know you’ll like what we’ve done.” Dior asked Suza to watch the front while she entertained her customer. Suza informed her that Giorgio