Read Online Write to Me by Nona Raines - Free Book Online Page A

particularly expressive one. He believed in deeds more than words. Gloria tried to make sense of it herself. “Well, they’re different things, speaking and writing. Some people can express themselves on paper in a way they never could face to face.” She thought immediately of Bryan’s letter.
    “I guess, but it’s almost like someone else wrote it.” Desi read on silently for a bit, then looked at her mother with some surprise. “Wow. This is good.”
    “Yes, it is.” Pride warred with guilt in Gloria’s breast. She’d had a man who loved her so much he’d written her poetry, beautiful poetry. She’d almost let herself forget that after spending a few mere hours with Bryan.
    “No, I mean it’s really good. Like, good enough to be published. Not that I’m an expert…”
    “He wrote others that were just as beautiful,” Gloria said. “I even told him once he should send them somewhere, try to see if he could publish them.”
    “What did he say?”
    “Oh, he was too embarrassed. Said they were only for me. He was a manly man, your father. I guess he was afraid his bros would think less of him if they knew about the poetry.”
    “That’s too bad.” Desi shifted on the bed, giving her mother a serious look. “So, uh, are you still seeing Professor Dunn?”
    “Mr. Dunn and I are done.” Gloria smiled weakly at the lame pun.
    Desi’s protective instincts immediately kicked in. She snapped to attention, her eyes sparking with anger. “What happened? What did he do?”
    “He didn’t do anything.” Gloria didn’t want her daughter getting the wrong idea about Bryan. Nothing that happened was his fault. “The friendship ran its course.”
    “Really?” Desi watched her carefully. “Well, I don’t mean to be a bitch, but I’ve got to say I’m relieved. The guy’s a player.”
    “Yes, so you’ve said. My not seeing him anymore has nothing to do with that.”
    “I’ll just bet.” Desi’s full lips narrowed to a thin line. “Want me to go kick his ass?”
    Gloria gave her the side eye. “That’d be quite the feat in those heels.”
    “What?” Desi rolled her ankle and looked down to admire her strappy pumps. “Just ’cause I love cute shoes doesn’t mean I can’t throw down in defense of my mom.”
    “There will be no throwing down,” Gloria told her. “No ass kicking. End of discussion.”
    Desi reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Are you all right, Mami ? You look sad.”
    She sighed. “No, not sad, really. Just…”
    “What did he do?”
    “Desiree, stop it. He did nothing.”
    “Have you…are you in love with this guy?” Her daughter looked very young, like the little girl she used to be, when she asked that question.
    “No.” I could be if I let myself . She kept that thought to herself, knowing instinctively it wasn’t something Desi would want to hear. “It wouldn’t matter if I was, because he’s in love with someone else.”
    Desi’s mouth flattened. “That’s BS. Guys like him don’t fall in love. That’s probably something he just made up to get you to feel sorry for him.”
    “Stop it. When did you become so cynical?”
    “Since I found out my mother was dating a man whore.”
    Gloria recoiled. “We weren’t dating. And please don’t use that disgusting term.”
    Desi rolled her eyes. “Man whore? If the shoe fits…” She subsided at Gloria’s pointed look. “Okay, okay. So who is this chick he’s supposedly so in love with?”
    Gloria hesitated, then thought what’s the harm? “Her name’s Courtney.”
    “Courtney.” Desi repeated the name as though making a mental note. “I’ll ask Ash if she knows anything.”
    “Don’t. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s his private business. Just leave it alone.”
    “All right,” Desi said quickly. Too quickly.
    Gloria knew her daughter only too well, and the innocent look on Desi’s face didn’t fool her one bit. “I’m serious.”
    Desi lifted her hands, showing her