Flaw Less Read Online Free

“Wow, this looks . . .” She gulped and scrambled for something kind to say. “It looks like you put a lot of time and effort into this dinner, Reggie.” She passed the plate back to Sullivan. “But I ate a banana on the way over so I’m good.” She patted her stomach. “I’m still on my diet, you know. I got to watch what I eat if I want to be able to fit into all these size sixteens I just bought.”
    â€œDown to a sixteen from size twenty, huh?” Angel smiled. “Congratulations!”
    â€œWell, a lot of the credit goes to you and all those salads you make me order whenever we go to lunch.”
    â€œI’m a nurse, Kina. What else would you expect?”
    Lawson poured a glass of tea. “How are your counseling sessions coming, Kina?”
    â€œEverything is fine,” she answered quickly and turned her attention to Reginell. “You must’ve spent all day in the kitchen whipping this up for everyone, Reggie. That was very sweet of you to do.”
    Reginell began clearing dishes off of the table. “Thanks. You want me to wrap up a plate for Kenny, Kina?”
    â€œGod, no!” shrieked Sullivan. “He’s only twelve. His stomach can’t digest that!”
    â€œForget you, Sully,” grumbled Reginell and plunked down in her seat with a pout.
    Angel chuckled at the two of them. “Is everything still going well for you with school, Kina?”
    Kina nodded. “It’s great. The professors are so kind and helpful. Everybody is really sweet. They all go out of their way to make you feel at home.”
    Lawson stood up to close the blinds to block out the lightning. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I know you were a little apprehensive about returning to school to earn your degree after being out of the loop for so long.”
    â€œYeah, well, E’Bell’s gone now, and Kenny spends most of his time at school with his friends, or at Lawson’s with Garrett and Namon. I needed something to keep me busy. I’m just thankful that Sullivan convinced Charles to give me a shot at this new job.”
    Sullivan declined taking the credit for it. “It didn’t take much convincing. Even I have to admit that you’re good at what you do, Kina. Lord knows somebody as holy as you will fit right in over there.” Sullivan took a sip of her tea. “Plus, you can be my eyes and ears. It’s always good to have an insider.”
    Kina was concerned. “Why would you need an insider? You think somebody is over there stealing the church’s money?”
    â€œI wouldn’t be surprised,” Sullivan deadpanned. “And it’s no secret that more than a few of those lonely witches over there would like to steal my husband!”
    â€œThat’s a switch,” noted Angel. “It wasn’t that long ago that you were practically giving him away.”
    â€œThat was the old Sullivan,” declared the first lady. “The new Sullivan adores her husband and is the paradigm of fidelity, sanctimony, and . . . any of those other words that people should use to describe Mount Zion’s first lady.”
    Lawson rolled her eyes. “Sullivan, you know exactly what words people use to describe Mount Zion’s first lady. Most of them can’t be said in front of children.”
    Sullivan frowned. “So I had an affair—big whoop.”
    â€œYou didn’t just have an affair. You had a sex tape,” clarified Reginell.
    â€œThat was blasted all over the Internet,” remarked Kina.
    â€œAnd cost your husband his bid for county commissioner, not to mention made him a laughingstock for months,” added Angel, contributing her two cents.
    â€œWe’ve work through all that,” retorted Sullivan with conviction. Her confidence faltered after a few seconds. “We’re trying to anyway.”
    â€œWell, he stood before the entire congregation to