Free Diamond Revelation by Sheila Copeland Page B

joined Topaz and Sabre for photos. Sabre was all over herself when the handsome actor gave her his brilliant, trademark smile and said he liked her music. Topaz was about to walk away when he pulled Topaz to the side, much to Sabre’s dismay.
    She needs to take her old ass somewhere else. This is my time to shine and I just know that sexy ass Tyrese was feelin’ me. That damn Topaz is seriously blockin’ my action, Sabre thought as she watched Topaz laugh and converse with Tyrese, who was telling her about his latest film project. He thought she would be perfect as the female lead in the movie. Topaz looked at Germain standing on the side, waiting patiently, and wished she had never agreed to take the first photograph, but she wanted to help with the blood drive any way she could. She could see Sabre through her peripheral vision trying to steal the show. It was the first time Topaz was that close to her for a long time.
    That dress is totally inappropriate, but it really looks good on her, Topaz thought. She was very familiar with the garment because it was by one of her favorite designers. She had even tried the dress on, but it did nothing for her figure. Sabre was tiny but curvaceous, and it looked absolutely perfect on her. Topaz could tell she had been working out and surmised that she probably was a size 2. Possibly even a zero. Topaz sucked in her stomach and stood up straight as she cast Sabre a sideways glance. I remember when I used to be her size .
    When the last photo was taken, Topaz approached Sabre. “Nice dress.”
    â€œThank you.” Sabre smiled warmly at Topaz, thinking the two of them might become friends yet.
    â€œWho’d you steal that from?” Topaz flipped her hair over one shoulder and sauntered over to Germain and kissed him.
    Sabre stood there with her mouth hanging open, still trying to think of a comeback line. She watched Topaz and Germain kissing until Baby Doll, Chris, and Niki interrupted them. Germain picked up both of the little girls. A photographer took several pictures of them. Keisha and Eric joined them for more photos with their daughter, Kendra, and their son, Eric Jr.
    â€œLook at you, Kendra. You are growing up too fast. You look just like your mom when she was your age.” Topaz pulled the ten-year-old into her arms. “Doesn’t she look just like Keisha, Germain?”
    Sabre tried to be inconspicuous as she watched the “Black Friends.” Jade and Sean joined the group with their six-year-old, Kobe, and finally Nina and Kyle. The friends seemed oblivious to the paparazzi, choosing instead to enjoy one another.
    â€œAre you not talking to Nina?” Keisha whispered to Topaz. “That is so unlike you two.”
    Topaz looked at Nina, who was posing in photos with Jade. “She seems to be a little full of herself ever since she became Miss Revelation Music.”
    â€œYou know how Nina throws herself into her work.” Keisha smoothed Baby Doll’s hair. “She’s probably just very nervous about taking over for Jamil and wants to do a good job.”
    â€œHumph,” Topaz grunted.
    â€œYou know that’s the little sister you never had.”
    â€œYou’re right.” Topaz sighed. “Gurl, where is my mind? I didn’t give blood yet.”
    Keisha laughed. “You’d better get in there.”
    Topaz passed Sabre sitting at a table alone when she headed into the club, where people were still giving blood. A nurse handed her a form to fill out and told her the doctor would be right with her. She was looking around for Germain when she heard “How’s my beautiful niece, Turquoise, Topaz Lawrence?”
    Lawrence? Topaz spun around and looked up at Dr. Rosalyn Lawrence. “Oh my God. What the hell are you doing here?”
    â€œWorking.” Dr. Lawrence placed a blood pressure cuff on Topaz’s arm and pumped it up. “Did you forget that I work with Dr. Nichols in