Walk a Straight Line

Book 0: On the Right Path

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

Genres: African American Christian; African American Women's Fiction; Christian Fiction

Synopsis

Two friends . . . Two brothers . . . Two weddings . . . Too many secrets . . . Colleen MacGregor rededicated her life to God when she met and married Terence Hayworth. However, her happily-ever-after will have to wait, because she has some serious dragons to slay to sustain her marriage and keep her friendship with Gina Price intact. After fifteen years of friendship, Colleen must now draw the line and stop telling Gina everything. What did God do to her friend? Gina finds it hard to deal with Colleen's newfound faith. She thinks Colleen has become self-righteous, subjecting Gina to her holy tirades whenever the mood strikes. When Gina begins dating one brother, while simultaneously falling in love with the other, boy, does she get an earful! Gina, however, is way too busy trying to sort her way through her own murky feelings to worry about her soul. Her heart wants what it wants. Michelle Lindo-Rice explores the complicated world of female friendships. Can a friendship survive when one friend becomes saved? ******* Christian Fiction read. Slight sizzle. Edgy.

Release date: January 1, 2014

Publisher: Urban Christian

Print pages: 288

Sample

“You were easily the best dancer on the dance floor.”

Gina Price’s body responded to the Barry White voice from behind. After an energetic bout with the Cha-Cha Slide, she’d sought respite at one of the recently abandoned guest tables. Her now crushed gold satin dress bore the after effects of her abandon, but she had no regrets. She just needed a brief power nap, and she’d be ready for round two. It took some effort, but she opened her eyes.

Starting with his shoes, her eyes swept his tall frame. The dark blue suit fit him like a second skin. A jacket hung carelessly in one hand, while uncontrolled muscles popped from under his light blue shirt. His tie had been savagely loosened and now draped over his well-defined shoulders. At the end of her journey, she saw his face.

Oh, my. He sounded like Barry White, but he looked like Shemar Moore. Um, pretty boys spelled trouble.

Her voiced oozed honey when she uttered a low, “Thank you, but tell that to my aching feet.” Gina swayed her body to the up-tempo beat. “The deejay is doing his thing—’cause this crowd is pumped. I mean, it’s almost midnight, and nobody’s rushing home.”

Shemar Moore chuckled. “Yes, this was some reception, wasn’t it? Terence and Colleen didn’t spare any expense because this wedding was top-of-the-line.”

“Uh-huh . . . People will talk about this wedding for years to come,” Gina agreed. With the ice doves, to the still-glowing imported scented candles, orchid and lily centerpieces, and crystal one-of-a-kind chandeliers, her head spun. Such opulence and grandeur made their wedding picture-perfect from beginning to end. Even the weather had cooperated.

Gina rubbed her bare shoulders and eyed the other members of the wedding party who still held it down on the dance floor. By the looks of it, it would be awhile before the festivities died down. She snickered. There’d be some back pains and sore limbs come morning.

“Mind if I sit?” he asked.

She had propped her feet on one of the empty chairs to rest them and admire her black, gold-encrusted, three-inch heels. Yup, the shoes were worth it. Colleen, the former Miss MacGregor, had dubbed them Men-fishing shoes.

Well, she’d reeled in a live one.

Gina moved her legs and waved him into the chair next to her. “Not at all.” She didn’t play coy.

“I’ve been admiring you all evening. I couldn’t leave without at least introducing myself. I’m Michael Ward—friend of the groom.” He extended his hand.

Long, tapered fingers . . . Groomed nails . . . She’d give him an eight. Gina realized he waited for a response. “I’m sorry,” she blushed and took his outstretched hand. “I’m Gina Price, best friend of the bride.”

“Gina. Nice name,” Michael replied.

“Thank you.” Okay, he bored her already. Time to cut this brother loose until he got some swag or even a corny pickup line. So far, he held as much appeal as a Twinkie without the filling. Then she looked at him. Yup, he was worth a second try.

She tilted her chin toward Colleen and Terence and made small talk. “Look at them dancing like they’re the only two people in the room. I mean, I had tears in my eyes when they recited their vows. And doesn’t Colleen make a stunning bride?” Terence had hired a top-of-the-line makeup artist to do her face and hair, and the results were spectacular. Colleen looked like she could be on the cover of Vogue magazine, and Terence would fit right in with the men at GQ. He was handsome. Gina had to give him that. Yeah, a handsome devil.

“It was a beautiful ceremony,” Michael intercepted her thoughts. He stood, “I’m going to get something to drink. Can I get you something?”

“Just water.”

Gina watched his long, confident stride and appreciated the view from behind.

Just then, Terence and Colleen danced past her. Gina smiled and gave a small wave, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. She tapped her chin as she contemplated. Something about Terence didn’t sit well with her. He seemed to genuinely love Colleen, and at thirty-four, he’d found success as an art designer for Cozy Homes magazine. He was religious and seemed to be for real about his love for God, not like some of those hypocrites out there.

Still, Gina felt doubtful about him. She had voiced those misgivings to Colleen, calling him Shifty Eyes. Once, she could have sworn that he had been checking her out, but she wasn’t one-hundred-percent sure. So, she’d had no choice but to dismiss it. But, mark her words, Terence wasn’t all he appeared. He was like . . . like a sweet, delicious piece of candy that was good to eat, but also gave you a vicious toothache.

Despite Gina’s doubts, Colleen had fallen in love and after a mere four-month courtship—here they were.

Michael returned with two ice-cold glasses of water. When Gina reached for the glass, she felt an electric jolt zap through her spine as their hands connected. Did he feel that? She took a huge swig to drown her reaction.

A slow jam came on. “Would you like to dance?” he asked.

Gina hesitated. Her feet ached . . . throbbed . . . but, his body . . . his voice . . . no, her feet hurt.

Then he smiled.

Wow. That did it. She slid her feet off the chair, took his baseball-mitt-sized hand, and followed him to the dance floor.

“Well, since I don’t know if you’ll disappear at midnight, let me tell you about myself. I’m an architect and self-employed. I met Terence at college, and after we graduated, we went our separate ways. Then about a year ago, we bumped into each other, quite by accident, when I was commissioned to design the layout for Terence’s magazine. During our conversation, he invited me to his wedding.”

So, they are more acquaintances than friends, Gina thought. Good. He just went from an eight to a nine. She liked his soothing voice, and his arms made her feel secure. “Colleen and I have been best friends since we were fourteen and freshmen in high school. Since we didn’t have siblings, we clung to each other. We’ve been joined at the hip, like Siamese twins, ever since. We went to the same colleges for our bachelor’s and master’s, and now we both work at August Martin H.S. I teach English Language Arts, and Colleen teaches social studies—excuse me, used to teach. I forgot she took a leave of absence. Terence doesn’t want her to work.”

“Oh.”

His monosyllabic response made Gina wonder if she’d struck out with this one. Had she rambled too much? Please don’t let him mention the weather. People only mentioned the weather when they had nothing else to say.

“So, are you single?”

Good, she was still in the game. “Yes, I am.” She caught the huge, anticipatory smile.

Michael led her through an intimate dance move that ended with a dip. “Are you seeing anybody right now?”

That voice of his mesmerized her. “No,” Gina supplied, with a huge smile of her own. She held her breath, feeling the magnetic pull, when Michael slowly lifted her and curved her body to his.

His voice deepened, and he spoke right into her ear. “Good, ’cause I’m single too, and available—no kids, no ex-wives—just one brother and a mother, who’s retired and living in Atlanta.”

Disbelieving, Gina couldn’t hold the unladylike snort. “You expect me to believe that you’re available?”

But Michael quickly schooled her. He took a few steps back, licked his lips, then clarified, “Okay, I am reformed and officially retired from the heartbreaking business. Any games I used to play ended with my retirement.”

Whatever he was selling, she wasn’t buying. Well, it depends on how much, her inner self countered. When a more suggestive melody filled the room, Michael drew her closer to him. She inhaled. He smelled like ocean, outdoors, the rugged outback—and pure, unadulterated man. Her stubby legs liquefied, and her insides quivered. Engulfed in his arms, she felt like a petite china doll.

Gina snuck a glance up at Michael. His eyes held promise for some serious pleasure. Whew! Hold it together, girl.

Gina Ward.

Yes, she liked that. Too much. She’d known this man for what? Fifteen minutes. Ridiculous. All too soon, the song ended, and it was time to see the lovebirds off. Gina and Michael lagged behind the well-wishers and blew bubbles at each other, before he excused himself. Bereft, she looked for the other girls in her party, while shivering in the night air.

She saw a black Range Rover pull over to the curb. Curious, her eyes followed the tinted window’s slow descent to reveal the driver. When she saw it was Michael, she edged closer.

“You need a ride?” he beckoned.

Did she ever! “Sure, thanks.” She opened the door and put one leg in. Wait! What was she doing taking a ride from a virtual stranger—a possible stalker.

“Gina!” one of the girls called out from the limo that drove up behind Michael’s car.

She waved them off, feigning bravado. “I’m good. I’ve got a ride.” Cautiously, she held onto the door and lowered her body until she was halfway in. She chewed her lip, wondering if she should make a speedy escape. The limo hadn’t pulled away yet, as the other girls were still piling in.

Perceptive, Michael surmised her dilemma. “You’re safe with me.”

Said the wolf to the lamb. Should she? Her heartbeat increased. Then her inner imp egged her on. Whatever—you only live once. Heeding it, Gina pushed the hesitation aside and decisively shut the door. “I’m good.” She luxuriated in the feel of the leather beneath her and chattered, “You just saved me from having to crawl my way to the back of the limo with the other girls, then enduring the winding taxicab-style ride.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

In mere minutes, Michael pulled up to her home in Rosedale. He parallel parked beside her blue Volkswagen.

“Thanks for the ride.” Gina turned to look at him from under her lashes.

“Anytime,” Michael returned and patted her hand. “I hope this is not the last I hear from you.”

Gina rattled off her digits. He texted her so she could save his number in her phone. Michael took a curious peek at her house, but remained in his car. He waited until Gina got out of the vehicle and unlocked her front door. When she turned to give a final wave, he vocalized, “Call me. Soon.” Gina nodded her assent before slipping inside.

Leaning against her door, she heaved, “Thank God.” She bent, wearily undid her shoes, wiggled out of her dress, and fell into bed.

Then she thought about Michael. She appreciated that he hadn’t come on to her or tried to kiss her. In fact, he’d been the perfect gentleman. She’d wait a couple of days to call him. Can’t appear too eager . . . or desperate—a definite turnoff. So, Tuesday evening it is. No contact before then. Gina rolled over, looked at the clock, and moaned. Seventy-two hours.

“I love it here.” Colleen stretched her body, loving the feel of the Egyptian cotton five-hundred-count sheets courtesy of the Sandals Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She turned on her side to look at the view of the ocean from their balcony and exhaled. “The ocean is breathtaking.”

Terence’s large hands cupped her waist and twisted her naked body toward his. He gave her an appreciative smile. “It’s beautiful, but it’s nothing compared to you.”

“Aahhh,” Colleen cooed, “I could stay like this forever.” She breathed in, taking in the crisp air and sharp blue waters. Her eyes hurt from its brilliant shine. Like a siren, the sea called to her, prompting her to leave Terence’s warmth, slip on a chemise, and slide open the glass door. She stepped out barefooted to get her fill.

She listened to the waves lapping against the shores and basked in its beauty for almost fifteen minutes. The cool breeze fluttered the laces lining the edge of her shimmery baby blue chemise. The scripture really was true, she thought. “How can a person see this and not believe in God? Impossible.” When she didn’t hear a forthcoming reply, Colleen looked behind her and saw that Terence had drifted off to sleep. “Figures.” She meandered her way through sandals and clothes tossed on the floor as a result of their passion and shook Terence’s shoulder.

His eyes slowly opened to focus on her.

“Let’s go enjoy the water. We’ve been cooped up in here for almost a week,” her champagne eyes pleaded.

Terence said nothing but held up the duvet covers. His arm snaked out to drag her down next to him. Giving her a light squeeze, Terence kissed her on the nose. “All right, we’ll go, although I could stay right here under the AC.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to spend my entire honeymoon in Jamaica in bed—as tempting as it is.” Colleen slid from under the covers. Her long legs caught in the sheet, and she ended up in a huge puddle on the floor. Unabashed, she held onto her stomach as she laughed. Terence slid out of the bed alligator-style and joined her on the floor.

Disentangling herself out of the sheets, Colleen bowed with a flourish and swooped her arms. “And now, for my second act . . .”

She ambled over to the chest. Pulling the drawer open, she tossed clothes this way and that, before triumphantly saying, “Aha!” She grabbed the lime-green two-piece, hid it behind her back, and scurried into the bathroom to freshen up and change.

When she came out of the bathroom, she expected Terence to salivate at her tantalizing show. But he didn’t look pleased. Perched on the bed, with one arm crooked under his head, he coolly assessed the garment she displayed. “You’re going out like that?” His peculiar facial expression and disgusted tone gave her slight pause.

“Yeah.” Quizzical, her smile collapsed. Now she felt uncomfortable. Did she look funny or fat or something? She appraised herself in the mirror. Nope, no difference there.

“It’s revealing.” Terence shrugged in a way that said more than his words. “I don’t want all those men’s eyes ogling my baby. Why don’t you wear something else?”

Colleen bit her bottom lip. Insecurity blossomed and took root. “Okay, I’ll change, although . . .” She shook her head, deciding not to voice her objection. Personally, she thought the two-piece harmless—especially compared to the skimpy thong suits that other women were wearing. But it was her nature to please. “Well, I do have the black one-piece I packed on a whim. I’ll change.” She wanted her new husband’s approval. It meant everything to her.

With unsure, stilted steps, Colleen changed outfits. Though she felt dowdy now, she dutifully turned to face Terence.

She remained silent but stoically watched him swing his powerful legs and walk over to cradle her in his arms. “My baby looks good.”

Colleen felt her spirits rise. He was happy. Her husband was pleased, and that was all that mattered. “Whoosh,” she sighed. “If you keep that up, we won’t make it out to the beach. I can’t go back home without ever hitting the water.”

She felt the rumble of his chuckle, and her body chilled when he stepped back. “Point well made, my wife. Give me a moment to put my trunks on, and then we’ll head out.”

Feeling cherished, Colleen nodded. She waited while Terence grabbed his trunks and took his turn in the bathroom. When he came out, her eyes popped open when she saw his barely-there trunks.

She bit her tongue to keep from seeming catty about the whole bathing-suit thing. Resolute, she pushed it from her mind.

They left their suite arm in arm. Colleen felt giddy. She swung her hips from side to side. Inside she raved . . . I’m not alone and bitter like my mother. I am married, and I got me a good man with a job. I don’t even have to go back to work when school starts ’cause my baby got money.

Colleen and Terence frolicked in the sun. Its rays viciously pelted into their skin, leaving them well-tanned, but thirsty. They bought lots of water and punch for sale at a shanty on the beach. Soon, Colleen’s bladder protested. “I’m going up to the room. I need a potty break.” “I’ll bring us some more,” Terence slurped, greedily.

“Yes, please do,” Colleen added, with a brisk nod, addicted to the flavorful punch—a swirling, colorful concoction of ice, pineapple, passion fruit, and syrup—and, a perfect cure for a parched, dry mouth.

Colleen hauled her sun-beaten body up to the hotel, dragging her towel in the sand. She dusted sand off her body. Ugh! It was everywhere. She wished she hadn’t caved when Terence had insisted on burying her in the sand.

Colleen entered the suite and stripped. She left a seductive trail of clothes to entice Terence to join her for a shower and whatever else. She grinned as she headed into the oversized stall to wash the gunk off her body with vigor. Ten minutes later, wrinkled and disappointed, Colleen stepped out of the shower.

Clad only in flip-flops and an oversized towel, she sank her body in the nearest armchair. “Where is he?” He was probably chatting with the bartender or somebody about something. The man sure loved to talk.

Adrift, Colleen sauntered to the sliding door that led to their private patio that overlooked the beach. Her eyes scanned the beach trying in vain to spot her husband in those skimpy trunks. Oh, and don’t think she didn’t notice the other single women checking him out with their come-hither looks. Not that she’d minded, of course, but what irked her was how Terence had preened under those hot looks. Yet, he had serious problems if another man just glanced her way.

Men and their crazy, infantile, double standards. Since Terence was nowhere in sight, Colleen wandered back into the suite.

She thought about Gina back in New York. It had only been a few days, but she missed her girl. They usually spoke every day. Terrence was generous, but she didn’t need to spend money on a phone call to the States from Jamaica. She’d wait until she got home.

Colleen could understand why the members of the Apostolic Church of God Seventh Day were considering making him an associate pastor. When he spoke, he was mesmerizing and dynamic. His golden tongue could swindle a dollar from a beggar. Everybody liked him and flocked to him like bears after honey. He worked a room like nobody’s business wherever they went.

Gina, however, didn’t buy the hype. She remained leery—dubbing him Shifty Eyes. Colleen pooh-poohed her concerns. Cynicism ran through Gina’s bones.

Or maybe jealousy?

Naw. Colleen dismissed that notion. Gorgeous, petite with curves like Scarlett Johansson, Gina could aptly be described as a Man Magnet. Wherever she went, admirers flocked who hung on her every word. She pointedly ignored them, not caring for the spotlight.

Next to Gina, Colleen felt gauche and lingered in her friend’s shadow—or so it seemed to her. She placed the blame on her height of five foot ten—from that vantage point, pickings were slim.

Until Terence. He was six foot four and drawn to her. Best of all, she could wear heels without worry.

She dried herself and reached for one of her scented oils.

Once she finished oiling herself down, Colleen chose a pink and white teddy with ruffles and a delicate trim. Slipping into it, she thought about Terence and sizzled. She eased onto the bed and practiced several seductive poses.

Then she heard the lock click.

Finally.

Quick, she struck her most tantalizing pose. Her chest heaved with anticipation as she waited. He stopped at the sight of her.

“Wow.”

“Come and get it, big boy.”

Terence hesitated for a split second before beginning to undress.

Not fast enough. Colleen flipped her long, curly hair and beckoned him to her bedside. Terence complied. She held her hands out for him to embrace her, but he paused.

Curious, Colleen asked. “What is it?”

“I feel grungy, you know, from all that sand,” Terence explained.

“Oh.” Embarrassed by her brazenness, she unposed her body and stretched her legs as they had fallen asleep in that awkward position.

“Let me take a shower. Wash all this grime from me.” He was in the bathroom in seconds.

“Okay, what just happened here?” she said softly.

Somehow that is not how that scene always played out on the soap operas. However, she clamped her disappointment because she knew how fastidious Terence was.

Chilled, Colleen went under the covers and closed her eyes. She’d rest because when he came back, she was going to show him a thing or two. She had a creative mind, and now had the right to use it.

Suddenly, she felt something buzz against her leg and jumped. It was Terence’s cell phone vibrating. She curved her leg to move it upward and grabbed it. She peeked at the number.

Why was Francine calling Terence on their honeymoon?

Colleen debated for a second before she pressed the redial button. “Hi, Francine, is everything all right?”

“Isn’t this Terence’s phone?”

Wasn’t she Terence’s wife? “I—um—he’s in the shower—and I saw your number, so . . .” she rushed to explain.

“That doesn’t give you the right—just have him call me.”

With that, Colleen heard the dial tone. Her brow furrowed.

Terence came into the bedroom. He wore only a robe and used a hand towel to vigorously dry his hair.

“Why is your mother calling you on your honeymoon?”

Terence tensed. “My mother called?”

“Yes, just now. What’s going on?”

“Why didn’t you let it go to voice mail?” he asked instead. Without waiting for an answer, Terence seized the phone from her hand. “Don’t answer my . . .