Page 48 of Rewind

Despite calling Amina a streetwalker earlier, Mark was ogling so hard, he was practically salivating.

“Hi Candace. I’m glad you could make it.” He smiled showing every single one of his teeth, his first genuine smile since Amina had arrived.

Her cousin bent over the table to give them a better view of her cleavage. Amina wasn’t fooled into thinking this was simply an attempt to wish them well. This was Candace trying to show her up, but tonight Amina was ready for her.

“Congratulations, little cousin. You look….” She gave Amina a slow perusal. “Nice.” Her mouth said one thing but the tone implied something completely different.

But Amina wasn’t fooled for an instant. She remembered Candace’s reaction when she walked in to the party.

“Thanks. And you look…interesting.” Amina smiled back.

Candace’s cheeks reddened briefly but then the smirk returned to her glossy red lips.

“I never thought you’d get married before me. I mean you were never that popular in high school.” She then turned to Mark. “Whenever poor Amina would get close to a boy in school she’d find out that they were using her just to get close to me. I felt so sorry for her.”

Amina clenched her fists in her lap. She knew this was Candace’s way of trying to embarrass her and she refused to crumble.

To her annoyance however, Mark laughed. “I can see that. But you know how it is. Amina is the loyal type, so, I had to reward her.”

Candace snickered. “You make her sound like a dog.”

Amina wanted to throw up in both of their faces. “Candace, is it really a surprise I’d get married before you? As Mark said, I’m the loyal type. The popular girls in school usually get used up early and guys don’t want to bring that home to their moms. You should know that. You’ve had alotof boyfriends haven’t you?Are you still seeing that one guy who was supposed to get drafted by the NFL?”

Amina was well aware that the boyfriend in question had not only gotten drafted but was engaged to an athlete in the WNBA.

Candace gasped but she immediately recovered. “Oh, so you think you’re better than me because you’re wearing that little ass ring? Girl, your man has been staring at me all night and when he cheats on you, don’t come crying to me.”

Candace then stormed back to her table and whispered something to her mother.

Aunt Sharon glared in Amina’s direction. Amina simply wiggled her fingers in a petty wave. Her aunt was probably just here for the free food. The years had not been kind to her. She’d always been a big woman, but now she was sloppy and unkempt.

“You know, you didn’t have to say that to her.” Mark stabbed his fork into his salad.

“What? The truth?”

“She was being nice, by coming over to congratulate us. You didn’t have to be so nasty to her. I know you’ve always been a little jealous of her, but there’s no reason to give her such an attitude. You’ve got me now and she doesn’t have a man.”

Unable to help herself, Amina threw her head back and laughed out loud.

Mark scrunched his nose. “What’s so damn funny?”

Amina stopped laughing and stared in the eyes. “That was a joke right? You weren’t really implying that you’re the prize? Honestly, Mark, being with you feels more like a punishment.”

The text message tone went off again and Amina grabbed her phone.

I’m here.

This engagement party was about to get very interesting.

Chapter

Seventeen

Amina stood up, taking her phone with her. “Excuse me, I need to go meet my other guest.”

Mark grabbed her arm. “You’re not going anywhere until you explain what you meant by that comment.”

Amina yanked her arm with enough force to free herself. “If you have to ask that question, you’re not as smart as you think you are. Why don’t you give it some thought until I get back.”

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