Risking It All Read Free

Quinton was still holding her hand and she pulled it away. “How nice. You must be proud of your cousin getting married, huh?”
    “Yes . He looks very happy .”
    “It’s funny. Richard talks about his family members a lot, b ut I never recall him mentioning a Quinton before.”
    Quinton laughed. “I must be the long lost cousin to him, then. I live in Florida and don’t visit Atlanta very often, so that may be the reason I’m forgotten about by my own family so much.”
    “Oh…well, maybe he did mention y ou and it just crossed my mind. Then you’re just in Atlanta for his wedding ?”
    “That too. I’ve been up here since Monday actually. I’m here kind of on business, as well. I’ll be here another week .”
    Julissa and Quinton moved over to the side after some other people came up to grab a bite at the snack table.
    “What kind of business?” she asked. He intrigued her and she wanted to know more about him.
    “ I’m l ooking at investing in some real estate.”
    “Real estate is my thing. I’m a realtor.” Julissa had been working as a licensed real estate agent for the past three years. After she moved in with Michael less than a year ago, he insisted that she work only part time so that she could keep up the hou sehold duties like cooking and cleaning. Wifey duties.
    Quinton looked surprised. “Oh. Well, we should exchange numbers and maybe we can get together sometime. I primarily buy commercial properties. I have a few residential, as well.”
    Julissa didn’t know if she was comfortable yet to exchange numbers with a man she barely knew. “Oh. I primarily deal in residential, so I may not be of any help.”
    “I’m pretty sure you know more than I do. Besides, I still want to get together sometime. I’ve been here a week and have had no one to really show me around town.”
    “Oh. Well, I’m pretty sure that Richard can show you lots of things to do here in Atlanta.” Julissa realized that she hadn’t tou ched anything on the plate she’d carefully prepared only moments ago. She didn’t know why, but suddenly food didn’t interest her at all, anymore.
    “Obviously, Richard is busy with his wedding and after the wedding, he’ll be away on honeymoon. It will be time for me go back to Florida by that time. I’d rather a beautiful woman, such as yourself, show me, anyway.”
    “I’d be happy to show you, but I — ”
    Before she could finish, Devon blew hi s whistle and half-yelled, half- screamed for everyone to gather around again. Saved by the bell.
    “I guess we should go, ” she said.
    “We can talk after rehearsal, if you have time, of course, and only if you would like to.” With that, he pressed his hand in the small of her back as they walked towards the center of the ballroom.
    Yes, I would like to .
    Julissa couldn’t help but feel an immediate connection to Quinton. Despite the few words they’d shared for less than ten minutes, he really sparked her interest. Julissa took note of the girl that would get to walk down the aisle with him at the wedding. The girl, Christina’s cousin, certainly did look pleased with Quinton. In fact, she was hanging all over him as Devon lined them up for demonstration on how to walk and stand. She didn’t blame that girl. Quinton was eye candy.
    As Ed stood beside her and rambled on and on about his new job, she let her mind wonder off to h er own relationship . Michael had promised her months ago that the day they would get married was near. The only reason she’d moved in with him was because he had assured her that if he was ever going to get married, then she would be the woman to be his wife. Even though their relationship was on shaky grounds half the time, he never failed to remind her that no other woman, besides herself, was worthy enough to be his wife. Sometimes what Julissa thought he actually meant was that he liked to show her off to his clients, co-workers, and friends.
    Michael relied on material things in his