One Way or Another Read Online Free Page A

you’re not high-end all the time.”
    Toni folded her arms as both she and Afrika turned to Jasmine. She shook her head as she watched her sister-in-law spin her wedding ring on her finger, then fiddle with the ends of her long dark hair.
    â€œIt’s not much, just a couple hundred thousand.”
    â€œReally.” Toni could smell Jasmine’s lie. “How many is a couple?”
    â€œJust a couple,” Jasmine said, getting in a huff as she shouldered her purse and turned toward the door. “Are we going to eat or what?”
    Toni and Afrika exchanged amused looks as they followed Jasmine to the door. Toni noticed a sheet of paper sticking out the top of Jasmine’s open purse and snatched it from behind. It was the listing.
    â€œHey!” Jasmine protested. “Give me that!”
    But Toni turned away so she couldn’t reach it. Her eyes widened when she saw the asking price.
    Afrika, who was peeping over Toni’s shoulder, swore loudly. “Five hundred K?” she squealed.
    â€œIt’s just an asking price,” Jasmine said, snatching back the paper and stuffing it into her purse. She made sure to zip it shut. “We can negotiate.”
    â€œDown to what?” Toni retorted. “Four-fifty? That price doesn’t even include closing and negotiation costs! Jasmine, there’s no way Trey can afford that!”
    â€œHow do you know what Trey and I can afford together?” Jasmine snapped. “Why don’t you just mind your own business?”
    â€œWhy don’t you stop trying to send my brother to the poorhouse with your high-maintenance self,” Toni snapped back.
    â€œOkay, okay!” Afrika said, stepping between Toni and Jasmine. “That’s enough!”
    â€œWhy’s she always in the middle of my marriage like a third wheel?” Jasmine snapped.
    â€œOkay. Firstly, Jasmine,” Afrika said, “ you were the one who invited us here to see this place that you were considering. You were the one who asked us our opinions. So don’t get mad if you hear something you don’t like.”
    â€œAnd before you start gloating, Toni, you know you need to fall back and let Jasmine handle her business with her husband. I know Trey’s your brother, but she’s his wife. She comes first.”
    Toni and Jasmine had a brief eye-rolling standoff.
    â€œNow can we get some food?” Afrika whined. “I’m about to pass out.”
    â€œYou two go ahead.” Toni slipped on her sunglasses and pushed past them. “I’m not that hungry anymore.” Toni wasn’t sure she could deal with Jasmine right then. She loved her sister-in-law but sometimes she really didn’t like her.
    â€œToni, wait!” Jasmine caught up with her just before she got to the end of the driveway.
    â€œLook.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I went off on you. I just really like this place, and sometimes I feel like you shoot down everything I do. Like the things I want for Trey aren’t good enough. It’s not easy being a wife. But you have to know I’m just doing things the best way I know how.”
    Toni sighed as Jasmine turned her large sad eyes on her. Her sister-in-law pouted a little and Toni shook her head.
    â€œIs that the look you use on Trey to get him to do what you want?” Toni asked, grudgingly.
    â€œYes.” Jasmine nodded. “Is it working?”
    â€œMaybe.” Toni tried to maintain her annoyed look.
    Jasmine grinned widely and Toni knew that she couldn’t stay mad at her.
    â€œOkay fine.” Toni rolled her eyes and cracked a small smile. “I’ll try and zip it more often.”
    Jasmine grinned and threw her arms around Toni in a hug.
    â€œOkay, can we wrap up this Lifetime moment so I can get something to eat?” Afrika asked, tapping her foot impatiently as she stood by the car door. “I can’t believe we’re gonna