Yours Book 1: Losing My Innocence Read Online Free PDF Page B

make sure my mother is more than comfortable in California, otherwise she would still be in New York. This house is so over the top you would never know there was a time our family had questionable finances. Although when you step inside it feels warmer and more welcoming than our New York home ever felt.
    The Spanish style home sits on two acres overlooking the ocean. There is wall to wall, floor to ceiling windows everywhere you turn. The view is quite breathtaking.
    My mother appears from out of thin air, moving more gracefully than a dancer. Blowing air kisses and giving hugs to Kimmie and Mark before starting in on me. “I thought the guess would surely get here before you,” she sighs. “But Sophi… you look… I always knew with some effort you were my little diamond.”
    Normally these words may have stung, but to hear the emotion in her voice as she says them leaves me feeling… confident I guess. If you haven’t already figured it out I have a few insecurities from growing up in this family as this woman’s daughter.
    I have always questioned whether I belonged and felt different. My dad being white, his parents from Sweden and South Africa and Mom being African American, but always pretending to be anything but, left me really confused. If it weren’t for my grandmothers, I know it would be a lot worse. My mom’s mother always made me believe I was special inside and out, but when she died, I was left with more of my mother’s words in my head than hers.
    When things got messy with my dad, my mother didn’t want us to see our grandparents on my dad’s side so it has been a few years now. My grandmother was born and raised in South Africa, and is as white as white can be. She would often tell me she could relate with a person not understanding me and how sometime I couldn’t understand myself.
    However, right now I don’t feel like the adopted child I have been believing myself to be for years. Catching my reflection in the mirror on the wall I sort of feel like I may fit into this family. It makes me giggle at my mother instead of drawing back into my shell.
    The dress I am wearing is simple enough, with a boat neck and an open back. The dress is pale blue with a grey and navy belt around the waist. The dress shapes to all my curves in the most flattering way. It goes perfectly with the navy heels Ettie insisted on.
    It isn’t long before the house starts to fill with guests. Luke arrives with Nina not long after we arrive, but he seems to be giving me space trying to figure out what I am so pissed at. Just seeing him gets me all worked up again. I cannot wait to get him alone to give him a piece of my mind.
    Just like the great friends they are, Kimmie and Mark pick up on my stale mood and come to the rescue. Kimmie is pushing champagne into my hand and Mark is by my side making up stories about everyone that passes by us.
    “The blonde right there,” he nods toward the pool outside. “She doesn’t even know who you are or that this is a graduation party. She just followed all the cars into the driveway hoping to get lucky.”
    I laugh so hard I snort. “She lives down the road Mark. That’s Monica.”
    “Monica looks a little lost if you ask me,” Mark chuckles. “Oh, look at this guy. He was invited by Kimmie after a drunk night at her last frat party.”
    “Shut up Mark, that one was not funny,” Kimmie growls.
    “I think it was,” I snort.
    “Traitor,” Kimmie hisses.
    “What are you guys up to,” Luke croons as he walks over with two friends of his.
    “Nothing,” I murmur, trying to keep the sass out of my voice. I will do my best not to embarrass him even if I am totally pissed at him.
    “I want you to meet a few of my associates Sephora, this is Craig Hilton and George Ligal,” Luke offers.
    “Hello, nice to meet you,” I chime.
    “Very nice to meet you Sephora. Your brother told us of your intelligence, but seemed to leave out that you are stunning as well,” Craig