Free The Price of Love (A Price Novel Book 1) by Maggi Craft Page A

walk away.
    “Slayde.” He turned around and looked at me. He seemed so insecure; it was so strange. He looked as if he were really afraid I was rejecting him. Had a girl ever said no to him? I highly doubted it. “I would love to go out on a date with you.” His face lit up with that smile that made me melt.
    As I walked back to the apartment, I tried to figure out what I was going to tell Kenedy I was doing that night so she wouldn’t figure out I was going out with Slayde.
And what in the world am I going to wear?
If this was what he called a “proper” date, what would it be like? Every moment we were together was one of the best moments of my life. I didn’t see how it could be any better.
    I was kneeling on the floor in Kenedy’s room, pulling everything out of my suitcase that I still hadn’t unpacked, when Holly came in and interrupted my mental psychobabble. “What are you doing tonight? Kenedy went to London for the weekend, and she said to tell you she was sorry she couldn’t take you along.” Holly rolled her eyes. We both knew Kenedy didn’t want me to tag along with her. “I told her I would keep you busy. I’ve got a date, but I’m sure Slayde can pick up my slack.” She winked at me. “How’s the secret love affair going, anyway?”
    “Ha-ha, that’s really funny,” I said sarcastically. But I needed to talk to someone. Someone besides Slayde. I followed her into her room and spilled the whole story.
    “Holly, what do I do?” I lay on her bed with my head buried in the covers.
    “I wish there was an easy answer. If I was in Kenedy’s place, and you were truly happy with him, I would be happy for you. But Kenedy doesn’t care about anybody but Kenedy. I know she’s going to be furious, but she will get over it. They’ve been broken up for a few years — it’s not like they were married and you broke up their family.” When she said that, I looked up. Catching my eyes, she asked, “You didn’t, did you? You’re not the reason they broke up, are you?”
    “No. The truth is, they broke up because Slayde caught Kenedy with my boyfriend, his brother, Brady.” I buried my face again.
    “What? You’re making this up. This is some Jerry Springer shit.”
    “No, unfortunately, it’s my life to live, not
One Life to Live
. I’m not sure someone could have written something so crazy for daytime TV.” We both laughed.
    “She slept with your boyfriend, and you’re worried she’ll be mad about
this
? Are you crazy? I say to hell with her.”
    “She doesn’t know that I know. That’s the reason Slayde broke up with her, but no one told me. Slayde didn’t know that I didn’t know, until the other day,” I explained.
    “Well, the last thing I would be doing if Slayde Price were following me around like a little lost puppy would be worrying about what your hoochie momma sister thinks. You better get your ass out there and apologize to Slayde for your lack of mental sanity these last few weeks.”
    I knew she was right. I wasn’t going to let Kenedy’s feelings, or lack thereof, stop me from being with Slayde. Holly and Slayde were right. If the tables were turned, Kenedy wouldn’t think twice about my feelings. She’d even proved that.
    I must have tried on twenty-five outfits, and nothing looked right. I went through my stuff, Kenedy’s stuff, and even Holly’s stuff. Finally, I resorted to my favorite pair of Hudson jeans, a pink silk top of Holly’s, and some amazing Jimmy Choos that were in Kenedy’s closet. Why she left them behind I would never know, but her loss was my gain.
    My long blond hair was in a mood all its own. It was not cooperating at all. Holly must have heard the profanity coming from the bathroom, because she came in, curling iron in hand. “I got this,” she said and smiled at me. And she did. I have no idea what she did, but my hair looked amazing. She also applied my makeup. “You don’t hang out at photo shoots all day without picking up a