Her Little Black Book Read Online Free PDF Page B

was time to put the name-calling between the two to an end.
    Inhaling deeply, she breezed through the door to find the women going at each other. Aunt Peggy was old enough to be Suzette’s mother, something Suzette evidently didn’t care one iota about. “Aunt Peggy, there you are. Mom has been looking for you,” Courtney lied. She took her aunt’s trembling hand in hers without giving Suzette so much as a glance.
    â€œYou’re nothing but a bitch, too, Courtney,” Suzette lashed out. “All of you, including the bride, are nothing but bitches. If you think you can insult me by not recognizing me as Joe’s wife, then all of you are sadly mistaken.”
    Courtney drew a deep breath, determined to maintain her cool as well as her dignity. However, getting called a bitch for no reason tested her goodwill. “Suzette,” she said, as if speaking to a sulking child. “It takes a bitch to know one, and if I remember correctly, as far as you being Uncle Joe’s wife, I regret that you feel you’re being overlooked, since you worked so hard for that title. I can just imagine the sores you probably still have on your back from staying in that position for so long. Trust me, everyone knows the story. They know exactly what you did to wheedle your clothes, your house, your jewelry, and that title you seem to be proud of, out of him. If you’re not sure about it yourself, then try staying in an upright position for a while and see what it gets you.” Courtney chuckled. “Probably nothing more than your replacement.”
    Before Suzette could hurl an insult that would probably blister her ears, Courtney quickly added in a voice
that let the woman know she meant business, “You don’t want to tangle with me, Suzette—not today and not ever. Now, if you don’t mind … or even if you do, it doesn’t matter because my aunt and I are leaving. We have more important things to do with our time than waste it exchanging insults with you.”
    Courtney led her aunt out of the ladies’ lounge, ignoring the curse words that were spewing forth from Suzette’s lips. Once they were a good distance away, she studied her aunt’s face before asking, “You, okay?”
    Her aunt nodded. “Yes. She followed me into the bathroom and caught me unawares. I didn’t want to ruin Sonya’s day,” Peggy said worriedly.
    Courtney hugged her aunt, whom she thought looked rather ravishing today, so much more in control than the other times she and her ex-husband had been under the same roof. “And you didn’t ruin it. Knowing the situation, Uncle Joe should not have brought Suzette here.”
    â€œHe’s taken with her, but I refuse to let that bother me any longer. He’s not worth it. Neither is she,” Peggy said, blowing out a breath. “They deserve each other.”
    Courtney smiled sadly. “You’re right, and I’m glad you finally realize that you can do better without him.”
    â€œTook me long enough.”
    â€œBut at least now you have.”
    Peggy smiled, too. “Yes, at least now I have.”
    Later that night, Courtney entered her condo with a smile on her face, pleased with how Sonya and Mike’s day
had ended. She was one of those who had remained to see the couple off as they got into a limo that would carry them to the airport. They would be flying off tonight for a three-week honeymoon in Italy.
    After dropping to the sofa, she kicked off her heels. She’d changed out of her bridesmaid dress during the evening and was glad she had. The floor-length gown had become tedious, and the stomach-cinching waistline had not expanded an inch. She was tired in a good sort of way, and she had refused to let that little incident in the ladies’ lounge with Suzette ruin her day.
    She wasn’t sure just what Suzette had told Uncle Joe, but the two of them left right after the