Page 10 of Devil's Last Dance

“You don’t like virgins?” she asked.

“Not particularly.”

“Have you been with any virgins?” Candice asked.

“Are you a virgin?” he fired back with a question.

She sighed. “No, I’m not. I lost my virginity when I was twenty-five years old. I thought I was going to be with him forever.” He was her one and only boyfriend. They broke up last year because Devon started to get mean. He worked in a corporate role. He rarely talked about his job, but overnight, he wanted her to learn to be like other wives. He called her thick and stupid. Then of course he would start on her body. He suddenly didn’t like her curves. She figured at the office she had become the butt of all the jokes, or at least he had because of her.

Candice was pleased she never married him, but the first time he hit her was the last time he hit her. She also never moved in with him either, preferring her own life and seeing where their relationship went. It was something her parents had always told her—to be sure of herself and the person she was with before committing to anything. That was what she tried to do.

“But you’re not together anymore?”

“Nope.” And she wasn’t about to tell him why either.

She had a feeling thisfriendwasn’t a friend at all. “I guess what you could do is wait to see what woman they choose.”

“For my friend?” Antwone asked, brows raised.

Rather than call him out on his lies, she offered him a smile. “Yeah, tell him to see who they choose. It might be a woman he can be with, or even fall in love with.”

Antwone snorted.

“Are you about to tell me you don’t believe in love?” Candice asked, hand on her hip.

“Do you?”

“Look, I’m getting tired of you avoiding the answers, but for your information, yes, I do. I believe in love.”

“Even though you’re not with your boyfriend?”

“I saw my parents,” Candice said. “And even though they’re not with me anymore, I saw their love and yes, I know it’s rare but I also know it’s something precious and special and sweet. That kind of love is out there, with a special person.”

Antwone stared at her. “You really believe that?”

“I’ve witnessed it. Haven’t you?”

She waited as he looked past her shoulder. “My brother has it.”

“See, there is proof. Didn’t your parents?”

“I don’t have any parents.”

She had a feeling he didn’t want to be asked questions about his parents, so she picked up the last of the water and poured it into his glass.

“Then maybe what you could tell your friend is to have hope and an open mind. This arranged marriage could be the best thing he’s ever experienced.”

“And if it’s not?” Antwone asked.

“Then, make the most of it, or even before the marriage, stand up and say no. No one can make us do anything. It’s the modern world, after all.”

This time, Antwone did laugh but it didn’t sound like it was anything other than hysterical.

“You think because this is a modern world, we’re free to do what we want?” he asked.

“I like to think so, yes.”

“You’re adorable.”

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