Read Risking It All for Free Online Page A

requesting your help and all.”
    Though the prospect of gaining a new client should have been reason for celebration, Mi chael didn’t seem to o elated .
    “Yeah, I guess.” Jul issa pretended to be interested in straightening her skirt.
    “I didn’t like him very much, though. Just something about him…”
    She glanced at Michael’s grim facial expression. “Well, at least if he works with me that’s money in our bank accounts, right? All money has the same value, even though it may come from clients we don’t actually like. And you should know that all too well, right?”
    “Right.” It didn ’t sound like he really meant that one .

Chapter Three
     
    “J.H.C.! My damn feet hu rt!” That was Shanice bitching.
    The other girls agreed as they rushed back to the changing room to freshen up after one hour of straight picture taking. Julissa had to admit that she was exh austed as well. She’ d been on her feet since six this morning.
    “Christina looked so beautiful. I can’t believe her aunt-in-law made that dress. That was just lovely!” One of the bridesmaids recalled.
    “I know. It looked like a straight designer gown. The bodice comes off for th e reception, too,” Shanice said .
    Another bridesmaid sighed. “I can’t wait for my day to get here. It ’s going to be just as lovely!”
    “Waiting for that question, huh? Put out some hints. It’ll come sooner or later,” Myra said, massaging her feet.
    “I think Julissa’s gonna be next. When are you two going to make it official ? We know that Michael’s not gonna let you go anywhere,” Shanice inquired , dusting more face powder across her cheeks.
    “Do you know something I don’t?” Julissa asked. “Michael’s taking it one day at a time. He’s busy with work and the expansion and all that.”
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don’t let him make that an excuse. Start throwi ng hints at his bourgeois ass . Nobody’s gonna be waitin ’ for him to pop the question all his life. Right? You don’t need to give him another three years without any head way, do you?” Myra asked.
    “To te ll you the truth, I don’t. But I’m not trying to run him off, either,” Julissa replied, reapplying more lip gloss to her lips.
    Shanice snapped her finger. “I hear that, girl. Don’t run that man off. He got money like h e don’t know what to do with it.”
    “It shouldn’t be the money. Besides, if the money is gone, what’s left?” Myra asked, placing her pumps back on her feet.
    Shanice widened her eyes at Myra. “Did you not just here what I said, Myra? There is no running out. His f ucking parents and grandparents and great fucking great grandparents are rich as hell to o . He comes from old money that goes on and on and on…”
    Shanice was right. Michael wasn’t wealthy because of what he did. H e was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. But that wasn’t why Julissa was with Michael. Deep down inside, under the brick wall he put up in front of people, under the thick skin his father taught him to have, and despite the conceited behavior displayed at times, he was a good guy. No one had seen Michael like she had when she first met him. No one knew that Mich ael was capable of being the perfect man.
    The knock at the door told them that it was time to get back down to the ballroom.
    The reception setup was just as beautifu l as the wedding ceremony decor . The ambience, calm and romantic. The lights were dimmed low, but the glow from the chandelier allowed for adequate viewing. The guests enjoyed appetizers and wine while the entire wedding party was introduced, then seated. Ever yo ne watched the first dance, the father/daugh ter, and the mother/son dance. For the purpose of pictures, the entire wedding party danced with the partners they were coupled with during the ce remony.
    Julissa was paired with Ed. Again.
    “You doing okay ? You looked a little worried after you came back from pictures.” Ed was moving in slow beat with the