Savory Deceits Read Online Free Page A

my sister, nearly knocking her petite frame down with a hug. Naima laughed.
    “It’s good to see you too sis. So, this is the place huh,” she said, inviting herself in. Although Naima was three years older than I was, my twenty-six year old, five foot seven frame, towered over her five foot three one.
    “Nice. You got taste.” She said surveying the room, running her fingers on the back of my cream-colored sectional sofa.
    “Well of course I do. I had a good teacher.” I replied with a wink.
    “Well, I try.” Naima said, now touching the crystal lamp, with matching cream shades. She removed her denim jacket, and tossed it on the loveseat. Then, she turned to me, with her hands on her hips, and gave me a quick once-over. “Well, look at you, Mrs . Skye. You look good girl.” She said, and I rolled my eyes.
    “Yeah right! I just woke up, and look like hell. You’re the one who’s looking like you just stepped off the runway. I love those boots by the way!” I moved towards the living room, and gestured for her to sit down.
    “Oh, thanks. You know how I am with my knee-high red bottoms.” Naima said, kicking her heels up as she sat down.
                  “When did you get here?” I asked, sitting on the arm of my recliner.
    “Well,” Naima began, “my plane landed at six o’ clock this morning, but I stopped to get something to eat first. What took you so long to open the door anyway? What? You got a man up in here already?” She joked, pretending to look around for the culprit.
    “Oh, whatever!” I laughed. “Tony has only been gone two weeks, and besides, I love my baby too much, to do something like that to him.” Then, Naima’s smile faded, and she paused before speaking.
    “Yeah, I know. I just hope he feels the same way about you too.” She said, and I looked away embarrassed.
    “He's changed, Nai.” I said in his defense. “He wouldn’t do anything to hurt me like that again.” Naima stared at me for a moment, and I could see she still had her doubts.
    “Okay. So, what's up? How've you been?” She asked, changing the subject. Grateful for the change, I smiled.
    “I've been good. I do get kind of lonely here sometimes, but Chris usually comes over, to keep me company.” I said.
    “How is he?” She asked nonchalantly. Naima was not fooling me. I knew she still had feelings for him.
    “He's good. I know he misses you though. Every time I bring you up, I see this sad look in his eyes. The same look I’m seeing in yours right now.” I said studying her face. I hoped I was not making a big mistake, by opening up that door again.
    “I do miss him,” Naima admitted.
    “And he misses you.” I encouraged. I know I said I did not want them to be together, but in hindsight, I rather they did, since Chris was Tony’s best friend. I missed the way the four of us used to hang out, and do things together, as a group. Lately, I have been feeling this weird vibe from Chris that needed to stop, and Naima was the perfect distraction for him. Even though Chris often referred to me as his little sister, that did not negate the fact that on more than one occasion, since Tony has been gone, I felt as though he wanted to kiss me. Chris has been a great friend over the years, and we have an interesting history, but Tony is my husband.
    “I’m sure he’d be happy to know you’re here. How long are you staying, by the way?” I now asked Naima. I hoped that she, and Chris, could somehow mend their relationship, so everything could go back to the way they used to be.
    “Now, that's my second surprise.” Naima said smiling. “My company, Endless Beauty, is trying to buy this little cosmetics company based right her in Virginia, and they sent me to oversee the acquisition. Once we get it, I have the option of staying behind a while, to make sure that everything’s up and running smoothly, before I head back to Wisconsin.”
    “Are you serious? That’s great Nai!” I was