Wouldn’t Change a Thing Read Online Free PDF

Me.” Brian McKnight and Vanessa Williams’s “Love Is.” Marvin Gaye’s “Sunny.” I toss it back on the floor and veer onto the interstate. V-103 is what I need to soothe my nerves. The CD love songs will only make me cry worse and beg. Not happening today.
    My best friend, Jordan, would be my shotgun rider if she weren’t in Italy on business. I can see her pulling her long locks behind her ears and cursing Lamonte like he stole something. She would have blocked him at the Blue Willow Inn parking lot and made him explain himself. Theirs is a love-hate relationship I enjoy watching. She couldn’t make the engagement party, but threatened me with death if she wasn’t my maid-of-honor. I want to call her, but embarrassment fills me. I can’t dial her number. She’ll probably reject me when she returns to the States and realizes her ace is an impostor.
    I spot Lamonte’s X5. I speed up and pull alongside him, hoping to get his attention. His head bops, and I know he’s tipsy and listening to music. I blow my horn. He looks at me, adjusts his Bluetooth, and switches lanes. I follow suit, tailgating to irritate him. This doesn’t work either. His arms thrash as he leans to the side. This is his pose when he talks to Brooklyn. I’m sure she’s soothing her poor baby and congratulating him on keeping the family tree unpolluted. I pull back a few spaces, realizing he’s heading home. I’ll keep my cool until we get to my second home, or at least what I called my second home.
    We make it to the subdivision entrance in record time. He coasts through the gate and I wait my turn to go past the massive, wrought-iron fence. As I punch in the code, I notice a Georgia State Trooper behind me. I ignore him at first, then panic. He’s following me. I pull into the driveway, anxious and horrified at the sight on the front porch. Lamonte stands mountain tall, arms folded. He looks at me with disgust as the trooper approaches us.
    The officer takes off his hat and addresses me. “Ma’am, Mr. Dunlap called and said you are stalking him. He asked that you be escorted off the premises.”
    â€œSince when is coming home with your fiancé stalking?”
    Lamonte gestures to the items on the porch. I look at the boxes and see my clothes, shoes, design software, and souvenirs from past outings.
    Mrs. Porter, Lamonte’s neighbor, strolls across the lawn, wrapped gift in hand. “Toni, Lamonte, is everything okay?”
    The site of a state trooper would surely have the Woodland Hills tongues wagging. I’m sure she means well, but Lizzy is the neighborhood gossip and thrives on drama. The neighbors call her Diahann Carroll behind her back because she is the actress’s double. Today, bouncing, silver curls frame her flawless face. A trip to the makeup counter is her Saturday indulgence. She brushes her elegant, lavender dress with her hands and gives me the gift.
    â€œI had every intention of coming to the party, but I got tied up with a friend. Please accept this gift as congrats on your engagement.” She awaits a response from us.
    â€œThank you, Lizzy. I’m sure I’ll love it.”
    She hesitates. “Well, I’ll be going back inside now. I look forward to the wedding in October.”
    Lizzy walks backward toward her house, anticipating some action. She enters her garage and looks at the three of us once more before closing the door.
    â€œOfficer, would you please help Ms. Williamson load these items into her car?” Lamonte makes the word Miss sound like leprosy.
    â€œThat’s not everything I have here. At least let me—”
    Lamonte stretches his arms across the front door. “I’ll ship the rest of your things to you. Just leave, Toni!”
    I back away from this stranger. This is the thanks I get for investing five years of my life in a committed relationship. I know I lied, but I had my