Free Wearing My Halo Tilted by Stephanie Perry Moore Page B

forgotten all about me.
    One of the ladies caught me staring. She was so beautiful. Perfect brown skin that glowed as lovely as a summer day. The dusty red hair was doubled in layers all the way to her elbow. I’d seen that lady several times in magazines. Maybe it was woman-to-woman intuition, I don’t know. Either she was Bryce’s girl on the side or she wanted to be.
    â€œWho were you talking to?” she said in a smug voice, as if I weren’t there.
    â€œLacy, I was talking to this lady who’s coming to the play tonight.” Bryce quickly motioned to me.
    The other four girls were so nice and sweet they huddled around me, and said, “You’re gonna love it.”
    The other chick rolled her eyes at me definitely letting me know that she was a force to be reckoned with, but she didn’t have to be all bummed out with me. Bryce was nice. A little flirty, but his time with me was all innocent. Never in a million years could he be interested in me. I liked to think I wasn’t as homely looking as his wife who I’d seen in magazines, but by no means was I model type material like the one standing on the elevator with us either. Plus, I wasn’t here to get a guy. And isn’t that funny, because my husband said I’d be interested.
    The elevator door opened again and we were at the lobby. Bryce and Lacy quickly walked out first. He looked back at me, smiled, and mouthed, “Enjoy the show.” The other four girls walked out in front of me as well, heading straight for a chubby guy about five eight with a bunch of badges around his neck.
    After I watched Melvin hand out all of the badges except one, I strolled up to him and said, “I’m Shari McCray.” I sort of whispered it so as not to draw too much attention to myself.
    There were about thirty people around us. I figured I could blend in and not need to get introduced to everyone there. But Melvin gave me a big squeeze. He then twirled me around and everyone looked our way.
    â€œHey, y’all, hey, y’all. This is the author of that book all y’all women could not put down and you too Bryce. But you probably know who she is since her picture is on it.” Bryce looked surprised as he came very close to us and smiled.
    â€œYou’re the author of . . .” he said, chuckling.
    â€œLuv Right or Git Left,” I affirmed, as I nodded.
    â€œYou two know each other?” Melvin chimed in.
    Twitching my lips, I said, “Yeah. Well, sort of. We were just talking on the elevator.”
    â€œOh, that’s what took y’all so long to get down here. I’ve been waiting on you for ten minutes.”
    â€œShe’s gonna be touring with us y’all,” Melvin said to break the ice, as Bryce just kept staring at me with a little bit more intrigue this time.
    He appreciated me. His warm dark eyes, displaying that he wanted to get to know me better. He leaned over and huffed quietly in a tone that only he and I could hear.
    â€œNow I know why you asked me a question about your book, mystery lady. How’d I do?”
    I felt grand. I had to chuckle to keep my composure as I could see folks around us grinning and talking. Bryce and I were almost lip-to-lip.
    Taking a deep breath, I said, “You got me.”
    Bryce leaned in even closer, and said, “I like your style.”
    â€œI like that you actually read and dug my work. Now put on a great show and make the world love it more.”
    Bowing, Bryce said, “Yes, ma’am. Don’t worry, with your story and my acting we’ll take this thing far.”

Chapter 4
    Twinkle
    I was one of the last to get off the tour bus. The cast seemed to be in such a hurry and I didn’t have to get ready to perform so I had no problem letting others go before me. But when I stepped out into the beautiful night’s air, I looked up at the sky and saw amazing stars shining down on me. Though my life wasn’t