“Morning, Ash,” Yvette said.
“Good morning,” Ashley said.
Yvette stared at Ashley for a second. “You look different.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. You look relaxed, not so uptight. You’re also glowing. Could it have something to do with that small passion mark on your neck?” Yvette pointed.
“What! No,” Ashley ran to the mirror in a panic, “a man like that wouldn’t leave an obvious passion mark on my neck.”
“I knew it! You little hussy, you gave it up. So much for waiting for Prince Charming,” Yvette teased.
“It wasn’t like that and he was Prince Charming.”
“Ashley, where would a man like that put a passion mark?”
“A lady never tells,” Ashley walked into her bathroom and began filling the spa tub. Yvette followed her.
“Well, how was it?”
“You’re nosy. Wait, what did you do last night?”
Yvette shook her head. “A freak never tells.”
“Well, even though Niles was wonderful, I repented and won’t let myself go there again,” Ashley turned the water off.
“We all fall short, huh?”
Ashley turned around swiftly. “Are you quoting scripture now?”
The ringing cell phone in Yvette’s hand sounded. Ashley watched as her cousin looked at the number and rolled her eyes before selecting the decline button.
“Now back to you, don’t even judge me, you little sinner. Hurry up and get dressed. I don’t want to miss breakfast before the divorce retreat’s first seminar. We only have four days to be here. Let’s make day two count.”
“Right, I’ll be right out. Who was that calling?”
“Who else? Dax, it’s always Dax,” Yvette said before leaving Ashley’s room.
Ashley shook her head. She didn’t want to listen to her cousin giving her the third degree, she wanted to soak in the tub. Sliding into the warm bath, she rested her back against the inside of the tub. Thoughts of Niles invaded her mind as she remembered the feel of his touch, the smell of his cologne, and his passionate whispers in her ears.
***
Ashley felt like she had been in workshops all day. She’d learned great healing techniques, how to go from wife to single woman, embracing new life, being financially independent and more. She couldn’t wait until they had their all-white party on the beach. Even though there were a lot of seminars taking place, she couldn’t help but think of Niles and the way he held her the night before. Where was he? He hadn’t left his number on her nightstand. She had to face the fact that last night might have been the last she would see of him. He would be her Prince Charming in thought, and she would cherish the night and move on to complete her healing.
After lunch, Ashley and Yvette arrived late to the last seminar of the day. They entered the full room and took a seat in the back just as the session began.
“Welcome to our spiritual healing session of the day. I’m Vickie Heart, your hostess. Let’s get healing. First, our special guest is here with us all the way from Los Angeles, California. He has appeared on countless television shows. He has written several best-selling books that have helped millions of people heal after divorce, breakups, heartbreaks, you name it. The tools he uses to heal are all from biblical principles. Please help me welcome Doctor, Minister, Pastor, you name it, he is. Niles Parker.”
Even as Ashley’s mouth dropped open and her eyes widened, the audience applauded. Ashley could feel Yvette’s eyes on her.
“You’re sleeping with a pastor now, Ashley? You better hope he is single or divorced. You are going straight to hell for this one, cousin,” Yvette sat up straight in her seat.
Ashley wanted to hide under the table. She was so nervous she began to sweat.
“Oh, Jesus, I swear… Oh, Lord, I don’t mean swear. I-I didn’t know. No more pre-marital sex, Lord. I promise,” Ashley said.
Yvette shook her head. “It’s always the good girls.”
“Shut up!” Ashley blurted out, and a few attendees at surrounding tables turned in her direction.
Niles walked up to the lectern wearing a lavender button-down long sleeve shirt, a printed gold, blue and lavender tie with a caramel vest and pants to match.
“I’m a little jealous. He’s fine, Ash.” Yvette whispered. One of the women in front of them turned and nodded. “He is fine. Lord have mercy.”
Ashley felt uncomfortable and wanted to run out of the room but figured she was too grown to do what she would have done in high school. She watched Niles set up his teaching material and books. When he recognized her sitting in the back of the room, he smiled and dropped his head.
“Good afternoon, everyone, I’m Niles Parker. It’s a real pleasure to be here with you. We in the Bahamas, y’all,” he chuckled.
“Well, those of you who know me know that I used to play professional baseball for the LA Dodgers. You know I married my high school sweetheart right after I signed my contract,” he said.
“What? He’s married? You’re going to hell.” Yvette whispered loudly in Ashley’s ear.
Ashley closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She began to gather her things. “Yvette, I have to go.”
“You also know that I got divorced two years later because the Lord called me to leave the field and pastor my grandfather and father’s church in Los Angeles,” Niles continued to say.
Ashley stopped gathering her things and settled down.
“My wife at the time signed up to be with a big celebrity baseball star, not a man called to pastor a church. She liked the lights, the glitz, the glam, the fame. I had no idea that accepting my call would cause me to lose my wife. We were unequally yoked. She hated everything about my walk with Christ. She said it was unfair to our vows, so she broke them and went on to marry and have kids with a certain Lakers player that we should not mention in this meeting,” Niles said.
Several people in the audience chuckled.
Ashley felt
