Read Online A Heart to Heal by Synithia Williams - Free Book Online Page B

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    â€œOh, my goodness, Devin’s here, too!” Roxanne said waving a hand in the air. “I told Jermaine and Tony to come with us, it would’ve been a high school reunion.”
    Peaches only looked between him and Shayla with a smirk. She’d always hated on his friendship with Shayla. Mostly because he never followed up any of her attempts to get with him. She’d accuse him of turning her down because he was waiting to catch Shayla between boyfriends. Her accusation was correct, but that was only part of it. He’d never felt Peaches that way.
    Shayla stiffened slightly before asking Roxanne, “You’re still with Jermaine?”
    Roxanne nodded. “Girl, yeah, we’ve got two kids. Jermaine Jr. and Jordan. He wanted to say what’s up, but said he’d see you next Saturday?
    â€œWhat?” Shayla asked.
    Peaches grinned. “Yes, when we have your welcome back party. We reserved the VIP section at Club Voracious.”
    Devin fought the urge to cringe. Tony’s club. It was almost fitting that the guy she picked over him would throw her a welcome home party.
    Shayla frowned. “Club Voracious? You really shouldn’t have gone through so much trouble.”
    Peaches sucked her teeth. “Don’t act like that. You’re my girl, and you know I love a reason to party. Besides, Voracious is Tony’s club. He opened it about ten years ago. Unless you want to go to Columbia, Voracious is the only place to have a good time in this town. When I told Tony it was for you, he didn’t charge us, just reserved his best spot.” Peaches’s eyes slid to Devin. “You can come too, Devin. You ain’t been to Tony’s club before. It’ll be a good way to get everyone back together. I know Tony’s looking forward to catching up with Shayla,” she smirked. “Or have
you
already done that?”
    Shayla laughed and playfully patted his arm before he could answer. She moved her hand until her fingers dug into his biceps as she said too cheerfully, “Girl, please. Devin just came by to check on me. I fell and twisted my ankle yesterday and he helped me out. Apparently he’s a dedicated doctor.”
    Roxanne humped. “Apparently.”
    â€œAnyway, I appreciate the party — ”
    Peaches raised a hand. “I know you not so high class you can’t party with us no more?”
    Shayla’s grip tightened on his arm. “You can’t let me finish? I appreciate the party because I’ve been bored out of my mind.”
    Roxanne and Peaches’s both grinned. Shayla glanced at him before moving her hand to high five with Peaches and Roxanne. Despite her claims, her smile was brittle and her shoulders stiff. She was back to playing the party girl. Something she’d done constantly in high school instead of rocking the boat. He wasn’t in the mood to relive the social dynamics of his youth.
    He placed a hand on Shayla’s shoulder. Some of her tension eased and he squeezed gently. “I’m leaving now. I’m glad your ankle’s feeling better. Don’t hesitate to call if it bothers you.” He should have asked about her ankle before, but completely forgot after kissing her. She still had it wrapped, but wasn’t limping. He expected she’d be back to 100 percent by the weekend.
    The corners of her smile softened as she met his eyes. “You’re coming to the party?”
    The last thing he wanted to do was spend a penny in Tony’s club. But the way she glanced at him with pleading note in her eye stopped his negative response.
    â€œI think I can make it.”
    Roxanne’s eyes widened. “What, you actually gonna party with us?”
    Devin shrugged. “Might as well make it a real reunion.”
    Peaches frowned and a grateful look came to Shayla’s eye. He could guess what Peaches’s problem was, but he would party with them every weekend to