March excerpt for Crowning Glory

This is the last excerpt for Crowning Glory before it is released at the end of the month.





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Excerpt from Chapter 4:

Karyn is having second thoughts about going on a date with Levi as she gnawed on her lips. She had too much on her plate without worrying about a romantic entanglement.

“I’m not going,” Karyn decided.

“Oh yes, you are.” Buttercup squinted.

“No, I’m not. I should’ve never encouraged him by accepting his gift. He said if I tried it on, it was a yes. Since the tag is still on it. I’m giving it back.”

“Well, I guess it’s settled.”

Something wasn’t right. Buttercup never backed down and rarely agreed with her. Karyn became suspicious as Buttercup towered over her. She walked out of Karyn’s bedroom through their shared sitting area to her bedroom then returned.

Karyn recognized her roommate’s on-a-mission expression. Karyn swiped the garment off the bed. “What do you think you’re doing?”

In a swifter action, Buttercup snatched it out Karyn’s arms. With one yank, Buttercup tugged on the tag until it came off. “Oops. Sorry, but scissors are prohibited. Hope I didn’t rip a seam.” She grinned.

“Give that back!” Karyn frowned at her vain attempt to wrestle the dress from Buttercup. Karyn was hot with disbelief.

“Sure.” Unzipping the dress, Buttercup produced a marker and scribbled something on the inside before tossing it back on the bed.

“Are you crazy? What did you do that for?” Karyn raced to her bathroom. “You’re nuts,” she yelled over her shoulder. She came back with a wet hand towel. “I hope I can wipe off those marks, or you better keep one eye open while you sleep, crazy.”

As long as Karyn had known her suite mate, Buttercup had never done anything without thinking it through since her release. Clearly, Buttercup’s blood sugar was low or something.

“I doubt it will come out. Permanent usually means permanent,” she said smugly. “And hey, I’m a jailbird. You know I know how to sleep with one eye cracked.” Folding her arms, Buttercup struck a pose that reminded her of the stereotype Indian stance.

Rolling her eyes, Karyn deciphered the messy inscription: Gift from God. “What is wrong with you? Now, I can’t return it. I don’t even know if it’s my size.”

“You better believe it’s your size. If not, you’re missing dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow. Don’t make me withhold water to squeeze you into that beauty.”

Tears of frustration temporarily blinded Karyn as she flopped on the bed. “This won’t work.” She covered her face with her small hands.

“Listen, Wallace, you’re a new creature. Jesus died on the cross to redeem us.” Buttercup pointed. “Old things are passed away. All things are new. Can’t nobody pin anything on us.” She thumped her chest, then joined her friend on the bed. “This Levi guy sees something in you God has shown him…”

Karyn temporarily zoned out. Hadn’t Levi said something similar? Buttercup’s raving snapped her out of it.

“People go on dates all the time, except for me of course. Halo and I are just bidding our time. Once we complete our parole, then look out. But for you, a date could mean dinner, dancing, or a movie, not a marriage proposal or a contract to bear his children.”