Page 5 of Wine Whiskey & Lipstick

Dillyn was numb. She had spent so much time arranging a full-scale plot against Steven down to the tiniest detail, and now that it was over, her revenge hadn’t tasted nearly as sweet. If Dillyn were honest, it left her feeling mostly empty and sad. She had been with Steven for thirteen years even though they were only married for ten, and they were supposed to be a team. Dillyn had trusted him with everything–almost. It was just starting to settle into her brain that life with him was over. It felt like someone died, and all the well-wishers went home, leaving her to deal with the aftermath alone.

Dillyn wasn’t exactly by herself. She was blessed to have Cat and Palmer by her side. They were dear friends and had been her rock since the moment she found out about Steven. The women had helped her through the days of tears, depression, and despair. Without them, Dillyn might have had a well-deserved breakdown months ago. She thanked God they were always there to support one another. Tonight was an emergency. That meant a sleepover at one of their places with every tasty carb known to man available for consumption, several stupid comedies on Netflix, and lots and lots of wine. Since Dillyn no longer had a home and Cat was living out of a suitcase, that left Palmer’s condo as their meetup spot.

Dillyn lay across the foot of Palmer’s massive bed in her two-piece cotton pajamas, not listening to a word of their chatter. Their raucous laughter roused her from her thoughts and propelled her back to the present.

“Did Steven even notice you were playing Inayah’s “Best Thing” in the background when he walked in?” Palmer asked.

“Probably not. Knowing Steven, he was too busy looking at your tits and ass.” Cat took a sip of her wine. “I still think you should have used Mary J Blige’s ‘Not Gone Cry’ as your farewell song. Maybe even Jazmine Sullivan’s ‘Bust Your Windows.’ ”

“It would have been too obvious,” Palmer said in disagreement. Still, Palmer and Cat made eye contact and began simultaneously belting out off-key the lyrics to Mary J Blige’s song.

That brought a small smile to Dillyn’s lips. “Do you know he had the nerve to bring me some last-minute, I forgot our anniversary, grocery store flowers? Bastard. I mean, he couldn’t even fake like he cared. The damn thing still had the nine-dollar and ninety-nine-cent sticker price on it.” Dillyn’s eyes misted, but she refused to let any tears fall. “I bet Sam never got grocery store flowers.”

The room quieted.

Cat reached out and rubbed Dillyn’s shoulder, offering just a bit of comfort. “Sam is a two-dollar trick. You’re a precious jewel. I hope you know that.”

Palmer agreed. “Tuh! That’s too much money for that skank. Try a dime-store floozy. There is nothing lower than a woman who smiles in your face while sleeping with your man.”

“I just don’t know how I missed all of the signs.” Dillyn sat up. “I mean, I know Steven, and I haven’t been on the same page for a while, but I would never have guessed this. Sam has been a guest in our home.”

Neither Cat nor Palmer was surprised.

Palmer filled Dillyn’s empty glass. “It’s such a triflin’ cliché. Hookin’ up with his admin. A jobyouhelped her get.”

“You know, he actually believes that having Sam on his arm will help his non-existent political career? I bet his mother will love her.” Dillyn threw her head back as she closed her eyes in disbelief. “I’ve known this man for almost half my life. I would never have guessed he thought my race had become an issue. Like, when? I mean, c’mon. I have a lot to offer.”

Palmer and Cat nodded in agreement as Dillyn ticked off her positives on her fingers. “I’m accomplished.”

“True.” Cat agreed.

“I have my master’s in cybersecurity, a Ph.D. in international affairs, and I have my own thriving business.”

“You’re a rich bitch too. Let’s not sugar coat that!” Palmer said. “And let’s also not forget that you are hot!”

Dillyn seemed to waffle her head from side to side at their compliments. She didn’t take them well.

Palmer cradled the side of Dillyn’s face within the palm of her hand. “Let me rephrase. You are beautiful inside and out.”

Dillyn didn’t completely agree. “I’m a thirty-two-year-old divorcée. However, I will admit that I do have more money today than I had yesterday. Still . . .” A small part of her wondered if she had been able to have a baby with Steven if things would have been different. The Steven that Dillyn had known would have fallen in love with their child. Race wouldn’t have mattered. “This is not the ending I saw for myself.”

Cat wasn’t here for it. She couldn’t stand Steven. “That bastard played mind games with you. He had you thinking you had to look a certain way for his career to thrive–all the dieting and exercising. It was crazy. I can’t imagine how hard this is, but we’ve got you. We’re also here to tell you that you’re perfect just the way you are.”

Hoping to lighten the mood, Palmer added, “Now you can eat carbs guilt-free! For the next six months, you shouldn’t even think about working out.”

Dillyn was the thinnest of her girlfriends. She was curvy but still thin. Cat and Palmer were both sexy sirens. Tall, curvy, and confident.

Dillyn had never been self-assured until she met Steven. He helped her find the confidence that was now shredded into teeny tiny pieces. But Dillyn was a survivor. She’d been a survivor her entire life. She would figure out a way to build herself back up into a better version.

For now, she just had to keep herself together and take it one day at a time. Dillyn sighed. “As crazy as you two are, I love you both. Thanks for tonight.”

“We love you too, girl.” Cat placed a hand on top of Dillyn’s and Palmer’s, effectively forming a circle between them. “If I’m honest, it’s nice that we’re together like this. I hate the reason for it, but I really miss hanging out when I’m in Paris.”

“If yo ass could be still long enough, maybe we could do more of this.” Palmer smirked. “Like we don’t need wine tasters in the States,” she joked. They all knew Cat had a restless soul and didn’t hold it against her.

Cat faked at being taken aback. “A wine taster? I’m a master sommelier, thank you very much!” Playfully, she smacked Palmer on the arm. “Seriously, Dillyn isn’t the only one that’s been rethinking a few things.”

Dillyn snorted. “Rethinking? That’s what we’re calling my situation?”

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