Free Amaryllis by Nikita Lynnette Nichols Page B

about the time difference.”
    â€œWhat was so urgent?”
    â€œI was trying to do a spreadsheet and I needed you to talk me through it, but I figured it out. What’s new with you?”
    â€œAin’t nothing new with me. My life is always the same; boring. Wait a minute, why are you doing spreadsheets? It just dawned on me that the number you left for me to call you at is to your sister’s firm. You took your tail to Vegas and got a job, Amaryllis?”
    â€œI’m just helping out Michelle. Her secretary is on a maternity leave.”
    â€œWell, isn’t that special? The partners still haven’t hired a temp to come in and take your place, so I got double the workload. I’m telling you, I’m two seconds away from walking out of this place without looking back. I haven’t been to the riverboat casino to get my gamble on since you’ve been gone. But that’s enough about me, are there any cute guys in sin city?”
    Amaryllis looked at James’ picture again. “There is this one guy who has potential.”
    â€œOoh la la. Who is he?”
    â€œSomeone who would be perfect for me, but he’s not available.”
    â€œLet me guess. He’s married, right?”
    â€œNope, engaged.”
    â€œEngaged doesn’t mean untouchable,” Bridgette replied.
    â€œIt kinda does, Bridgette.”
    â€œExcuse me. Who am I talking to? The Amaryllis I know always gets her man. Have you gotten soft on me, girl?”
    Amaryllis laughed. “I must have, because back in the day I would’ve pursued any man whether he was married, engaged or whatever.”
    â€œYeah, you’ve certainly broken up your share of marriages and relationships, girlfriend.”
    â€œI know, and I wanna leave that lifestyle behind, but there’s something about this guy that jumps out at me. Today, he brought me a rose and invited me to lunch, but I turned him down,” Amaryllis said sadly.
    â€œBecause he’s engaged?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œWell, how in love can he be with his woman if he’s buying you flowers and asking you to lunch?”
    â€œThat’s what I need to find out. Just how much in love is he?” Amaryllis wanted to know more for herself than for Bridgette.
    â€œWhat’s his name and how did you meet him?”
    â€œHis name is James and my sister introduced us. He’s a homicide detective, and according to Michelle, he’s deeply rooted in his church.”
    â€œAnother church boy, huh?”
    â€œHe’s a minister, Bridgette.”
    â€œA minister? Come on now, Amaryllis. You should know by now that you and church boys don’t mix.”
    â€œI know, I know. I don’t do well with church boys, but for James, I might consider going to church.”
    â€œOkay, I don’t wanna bring up the past or anything, but I gotta know; Randall was a church boy and darn near perfect. So, what’s so different about this James guy that you’d be willing to go to church?”
    â€œI can’t answer that. Like I said, it’s just something about him.”
    â€œWell, in that case, do what you gotta do to get your man, Amaryllis.”
    â€œIt might just come to that, Bridgette. Me doing whatever I gotta do.”

Chapter 6
    â€œCourt is in recess.” The judge banged his gavel and left the courtroom. Michelle felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see her father. “Hi, Daddy.”
    â€œBaby Girl, you were phenomenal, as usual.”
    â€œThank you, but I’m frustrated right now.” Michelle looked at her wristwatch.
    â€œJames and I were supposed to meet at my house this evening to select the wording for our wedding invitations. I really hadn’t planned on being in court this long.”
    â€œWell, you heard the judge’s ruling, so there’s nothing you can do about it. Just call James and tell him that you’re stuck in court.”
    â€œOkay.