Doing Mr. Wrong While Waiting for Mr. Right Chapter 6

I love my girl, Trina. I love the fact that she's not particular about where we go and what we do together. That's why we are sitting at Red Lobster having lunch. I don't have a problem with Red Lobster either, but Peaches would NEVER eat here. She has very high standards. She only goes to 4 or 5 star restaurants. If she stays in a hotel, the comforter and sheets on the bed have to be light. If they had designs or dark prints, she wouldn't stay there. She only goes to the movies in the premier parts of the city or premier theatres that serve dinner with the movie. She only shops in certain stores and if it doesn't cost over a certain amount, she says that it's not quality, and she won't purchase it. No. I'm not judging Peaches, but it's just good to hang with regular folk sometime.

"You have been extremely preoccupied lately with Marcus and his cousin. I'm surprised you had time to fit me in your busy schedule."
"Don't act like that, Trina". Trina doesn't care for Marcus so his cousin being a "Leech", as she calls her, just adds fuel to the fire.
"I'm just saying. Y'all have been on vacation, you are always hanging out with her, and this getting wasted thing every weekend is new for you. And may I say, it is not a good look".
"Yeah! I know. I told her that I am going to start limiting my drinking to only two drinks when we go out." I am already on my second Sunrise Passion Colada with a Grand Marnier floater.

"I don't know, Leslie, I just don't like the influence she is having over you". I know Trina is serious because she said my whole name. I've been "Les" to Trina since I met here. She was the first person to ever call me that.
"Whoa, Trina. This is me. Nothing has changed. I'm the same ol' me. I'm here. Peaches can never take your place."
Trina gave me a look. "What ? You think I'm jealous of that trifling heifer? Hell to the Nall!"
Trina put her fork down. "I'm trying to look out for you!"
"But that's the thing. You don't have to. I'm a big girl. I can take care of me."
We sit in silence for a few minutes. The silence is awkward. I decide to change the subject.
"So, how's your writing going?" I ask .
Trina is an aspiring writer. She wants to tell her story of how one man changed her entire life. She is passionate about it and I fully support her in her endeavor.
"it's okay. I'm just worried whether anyone would even be interested in what I have to say. Who would I sell this book to? What if I go through the whole process of getting published and it doesn't even sell?"
Now I give Trina a look. I have never heard her doubt herself. She has always been confident in her. Even when her husband was running around while different women, she was confident that he was doing that to appease his own ego because she knew she was the best he ever had! So to hear he talk this "what if" crap, was not cool.
"Ummmm..... Excuse me! When have you ever not had an audience. When have you ever had a problem holding any one's attention. You are Katrina West! Everyone wants to hear what you have to say, just because of who you are." I reach over and grab my friend's hand. "And I can't wait 'til you get published so I can be your personal assistant and when Oprah puts your book on her book club, I can meet her. " We both laugh.

We finish eating and head to the mall. We stroll through the stores, eat pretzels, popcorn, and ice cream. We have massages and end up sitting outside of the bridal store.
"So what is up with you and Marcus? Is he divorced yet?"
Because she doesn't care for him, our conversation about him is very little. But she knows how I feel about him.
"I actually haven't discussed that with him in awhile. We have been so busy doing all the things we couldn't do before that it really doesn't matter?" I regret it before I even get the words out of my mouth.
" It matters and you care."
I shake my head because I do care.
"We are sitting outside of this bridal shop, on the whole other side of the mall where we came in. We didn't stop here by chance. I have a feeling that you end up here every time you come to this mall."
"Yeah, but not because I want to get married. I just like to look at the new designs. I mean I want to get married but when it's my time, with Mr. Right."
"But how are you gonna find Mr. Right as long as you are doing Mr. Wrong?"
Trina continued. " Have you ever thought that as long as you are with Marcus, a married man, that you are stopping yourself for being with a single man that could be just as wonderful as you believe Marcus to be?"
"But...", I started to reply but Trina interrupted me.
"Don't get me wrong, if you believe Marcus is the one for you, then by all means wait on him, if that's what you choose to do. However, Marcus has options with you. He knows that you aren't going anywhere. He's not tyring to get a divorce because right now he has has cake and ice cream, too. Make him choose what's more important."

"I can't do that".
"Why not? You are beautiful, smart, educated Black woman. You are strong and independent. You would be the perfect companion fro any man. But you took your self off the market to be a part-time lover to Marcus, when you can have a man that loves you all the time, unconditionally.
Tell Marcus that you want to date other men since he hasn't found the time to get a divorce. Three years is a long time. He might be blocking your blessing."
Trina got up from the bench. She grabbed my hands and pulled me up. She hugged me right there in the mall. I cried right there on her shoulder.

On the ride home, I thought about what Trina had said. It was true. Every single word. I've given Marcus the best of me, yet he still hadn't given me all of him. I called Peaches and she was staying at a friend's house. I texted Marcus and told him I was cramping. I knew that would keep him away, at least for tonight. When I got home, I got a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, took out my favorite tear jerker movies, and cried.

Doing Mr. Wrong While Waiting for Mr. Right Chapter 5

It has been a week since Trina, Malikah, and I performed our stakeout at Marcus's apartment. He has spent every night this week at my place while that whore, whoever she is, is at his place. He hasn't mentioned anything about her and neither have I. Trina has been doing her drive bys to make sure everything is everything at his place. But like I said, he's been here.
It's Friday night. Marcus will usually hag with the boys before he comes here but he called me earlier at work and wants to meet for dinner. This out of the norm so I instantly get nervous. I've been to the bathroom at least three times. I can't decide what to wear. Should I wear something sexy? Or should I wear something casual in case I have to fuck him up? I am going crazy because I don't know why the sudden change. There is one thing about Marcus... He is very detailed oriented. He has a routine. He likes things an exact way. For him to change to change his schedule just for dinner with me means there's something up.

As I enter Carlito's, one of Marcus's favorite Italian restaurants, the hostess escorts me to a table. Obviously Marcus is running late, which is another reason fro me to panic, but I try not to. I order a glass of wine and take out my compact to inspect my lip gloss. I'm interrupted when the hostess brings a woman to my table. It's the woman that was at Marcus's truck that night at the stakeout. I was in shock. I could not move. I'm sure my mouth was open but I couldn't believe that this woman was sitting at the same table as me. Was Marcus playing some kind of game?
She extended her hand to me with a big smile, "Hello, I'm Peaches. You must be Leslie. "
I didn't extend my hand to her. Nor was there a smile on my face. "Yes, I am Leslie. Peaches, is it? Do you have any idea why we are here? Together?"
"Yes, Marcus invited us to meet one another". Peaches replied as she scannned the room. The way she was looking, I just knew that Ashton Kutcher was going to pop out of somewhere and tell em I was being Punk'd or something, but she was only looking for the waitress to order a drink.
Although I was mad as hell, I didn't want to make a scene at the restaurant. Marcus and I visit this restaurant frequently and I respected the fact that we were in a public place and the consequences that would occur if I acted a damn fool, like I really wanted to do. Besides, Peaches didn't seem a bit concerned that Marcus's other woman was having dinner with her. And how the hell did she know my name? That stanking dog has been talking about me to his bitch? I couldn't wait until he walked his ass in here!
Twenty minutes into this very awkward situation and still no Marcus. I tried to avoid contact with Peaches and held no conversation with her at all. Peaches was busy surveying the menu. I couldn't take it anymore. "It was nice meeting you, Peaches, but I'm leaving now".
"Why? Girl, a sista gotta eat. Sit down. Let's get to know each other. We will probably be seeing a lot of each other".
"Excuse me? I don't think so".
"Why not?" Peaches was way too cool about this situation for me.
"Why not? Because I know about you and Marcus. I know you have been staying at his place. I don't know what kind of fucked up, sick ass relationship you and Marcus have, but I don't get down like that. You can have Marcus all to yourself. I already have to share him with his wife and now you?" I grabbed my bag and stood up again. Peaches grabbed my hand.
"You have it all wrong, Leslie. I'm not dating Marcus. He's my cousin, more like my big brother".
I sat down. " Marcus has never mentioned you. "
"Marcus has never mentioned his cousin, Georgia?", Peaches asked. I was really uncomfortable because as I was sitting there she was still touching my arm.
"Yes, but ... Wait, are you her daughter?"
A couple of times, Marcus mentioned a cousin named Georgia to me. He said she was more like a baby sister. Her dad killed her mom when she was around seven or eight and Marcus's family took her in. He said that when she got older, she ran off with some guy and they hadn't heard from her except on holidays or birthdays. They were very close. He protected her and tried to keep her out of trouble, but he said she has a " mischievous spirit".
"I'm Georgia. I changed my name to Peaches. Ain't too many strippers you know named Georgia". She laughed. I chuckled as well. My heart was at rest. I could breathe.