The Perfect Deception by Lutishia Lovely Read Free Book Online

unexpectedly formed in Jessica’s eyes. All her life this is what she’d longed for—family. With no memories of her mother, it was Sissy she’d missed and cried for the most.Years after Francine, she’d sought out girls her age to find a friend who could relate to the pain and loneliness she felt in her life. It always backfired, with the girl either lying on her, stealing from her, player-hating, or trying to take her man. Since the age of sixteen all of her friends had been male. But moments like this, girl talk with her sister, were what she’d longed for all these years. This was the only reason why she’d even for a second consider doing what her sister had asked.
    “I have so many questions, so much I want to ask you, Sissy. Maybe I can come for a visit. I haven’t seen you in person for well over ten years.”
    “I’d like that too, Jessie. But not yet. I’ll explain everything some other time.”
    “Okay.”
    “Look, my time is up. I have to go. But I’m mailing another letter. We can talk more next week.”
    “Oh! That reminds me. You won’t be able to reach me next week. I’ll be in the Bahamas.”
    “Lucky you.”
    “I’m sorry, Sister, wish I could—”
    “Hey!” A curt cutoff, but then her voice softened. “It’s okay. Enjoy yourself. Because once you’re back home . . . we get down to business.”
    “Right, down to business. Merry Christmas, Sissy.”
    “Sure, Jessie. Happy effing holidays.”
     
    Nathan sat chilling in his boss’s office. Broderick wasn’t much older, only forty-five, but his old-soul personality often made him seem much older. That and the fact that he’d married at eighteen and had a son just five years younger than Nathan. In the two years he had been with the firm, the two had gone from professional associates to good friends and confidants. Nathan’s stellar performance probably had something to do with Broderick becoming the older brother that Nathan never had.
    Broderick picked up a pen and twirled it. “Man, I’ll be glad when this year is over.”
    “No doubt. I’m trying to close the deal on the McCormick account before it ends, but the bank is playing hardball, not wanting to lower their interest rate, or extend the terms.”
    “What about another bank?”
    “I’m researching that as we speak.”
    “Of course. I knew you’d be on it. How is Kenneth Hall and the expansion of his business to Vegas coming along?”
    “He’s going for it. I talked with a contact who’s lived there for about ten years. She says there’s nothing out there like what he’s is offering.”
    “She?”
    “Yes, Renee Stanford. She’s my sister’s best friend, who I’ve known since high school. In the next few months, my client and I will probably be flying there to scout locations.”
    “Oh, okay. For a moment, I thought there might be a new lady in your life.”
    “Actually”—Nathan looked toward the door, then realized they were the only ones still there—“there is.”
    “Oh?”
    Nathan nodded. “I met her a few months ago. So far, so good.”
    “Man, there’s nothing like a solid sister having your back. Anita has always been there for me, Nate, through ups and downs, thick and thin. We haven’t always agreed, and every day wasn’t wine and roses. But at the end of the day we both knew we’d be there for each other. No matter what, know what I’m saying? Having that kind of security about a person is priceless.”
    “Y’all have been married for what, twenty-five years?”
    “Almost. Twenty-two this past June.”
    “I can’t even imagine it.”
    “If you’re lucky, you’ll do more than imagine it; you’ll get to experience it for yourself. So when am I going to get to meet this new lady?”
    “Jessica will join me at the Christmas party. After that we’ll be heading to the blue skies and white beaches of the Bahamas. Is your family doing anything special for the holidays?”
    “My son and his wife just bought a home in Texas.