Bad at Love

By Emeline Piaget

Georgina Mason is anti all things love. Burned by a philandering husband and unlikely in love she is determined to be single, sassy and successful; despite the antics of her best friend, Zorah. Things are going Georgina's way until she meets Rocco Walker at a wedding and her world is flipped on its side. Rocco may be younger but could he be all the man that Georgina needs?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emeline Piaget
• Release date: Feb 15, 2018

Book preview

1

Georgina

Hey honey, I’m home. I took a half day because you weren’t feeling well. I felt so bad leaving you this morning. I stopped and got you some chicken noodle soup from The Flying Noodle.

Silence.

Babe?

More silence.

Poor thing, must be sleeping, I patted my belly.

I put away the groceries that I stopped to get and put the soup in the microwave for a few seconds, to re-heat it. Once everything was put away and the soup was warm, I grabbed a spoon and started up the stairs.

Sweetie, I’m home, I said, in a low voice at the top of the stairs. I didn’t want to startle him awake.

As I got closer to the bedroom I heard muffled voices.

He must have fallen asleep with the TV on.

I opened the bedroom door, my mouth fell open, the soup went flying everywhere and the spoon clanked on the floor.

Holy Shit! Omigod Alonzo! What’s going on?

That was a dumb question, it was obvious.

What are you doing?

Again, another dumbass obvious question.

Fuck.

Who is she?

Shit. Babe, it’s not what it looks like? He pushed her away and grabbed the blanket to cover himself.

You limp dick bastard! Are you fucking kidding me right now? So, you mean that wasn’t your black ass, just all up in that skank ass bitch?

Hey! She shouted.

Bitch, not now, I held up my finger to warn her.

She huffed and balled her fists, then thought better. He caught the look of recognition crossed my face.

This is that Instagram ho, Golden Grahams, you’re always double-tapping on, isn’t it? You brought this bitch into my house?

It’s Goldi Compton.

Bitch. I’m about two seconds off your ass.

Babe, what are you doing here?

Here? Oh, you mean in my house? I waddled my pregnant ass home and up these stairs because your trifling ass said you were sick. Trying to be the sweet loving wife, I brought you chicken soup. No, you know what, fuck that. This is my house, I don’t need a reason to be here. What the fuck is this?

Babe, I promise. It’s not what it looks like. She means nothing to me.

I snorted in disgust.

Nothing my ass. You might want to leave now before they need two body bags for you. I’m seven months pregnant, there’s not a jury in the world that will convict my hormonal ass.

Babe.

Get out!

You could say that was the day my life changed drastically. Walking in on your husband balls deep in an Instagram model will do that I guess.

That was four years ago. Things have changed since then. I gave birth to a beautiful little girl. I got a new job, since I had given my notice at the old one, to be a stay-at-home mom. I ditched that bastard and life has been perfect ever since.

Okay, so maybe it hasn’t been all cake and cookies since then, but it’s been pretty good. To be honest, it’s been pure shit. My love life, to be more precise I hadn’t had sex in four years.

My ex-husband didn’t want to grant me a divorce at first. He fought it for a little over a year and since I was pregnant and unemployed, which turned into new mom and unemployed, I was stuck. Fortunately for me, after the doctor told me that I had high blood pressure from stress, he at least moved into his own place.

After the birth of Anya aka Ani, I waited the mandatory six weeks, then once I had the okay from the doctor, I immediately went back to work. Not because I wanted to, but I had to. Initially, I just planned on being a part-time receptionist at this real estate office, but it morphed into something else, something much better. I became the official listings photographer.

It all started because in my down time, I would take pictures of Anya and post them online. That lead to people asking me if I would take pictures of their kids, which I did for a nominal fee. One of those people happened to be the managing broker of the real estate office I worked at. She wanted photos of her granddaughter.

After seeing the photographs, she was so impressed with them that she created a position for me as the official listings photographer. All it really meant was that instead of the agents taking half-assed pictures on their cell phones and posting them, I would go out and stage the houses and apartments and take professional pictures for the agent to use instead.

I’d never heard of a property listing photographer before, but who was I to argue. I was making great money and only working a few hours a day.

I decided it was time to cash in on the free time I had and opened my own photography studio. I converted the home office, that was rarely ever used, into my photography space and in time things were off and that’s how Georgina Mason Photography was born.

I had tried dating a few times in the years right after Ani was born, but once they found out about her, it dwindled pretty quickly, so, I gave up on the idea and just focused on Ani and my photography business.

Chapter 2

Georgina

Are you sure you don’t want me to take the pictures?

I was at the nail salon, with my best friend Zorah, passing bridal magazines back and forth.

Hell, no! You are my best friend and I need you by my side. Besides, my wedding is in three days.

Zorah and I had been friends since the fifth grade. We had been through it all together, literally. School, college, my marriage and divorce, the loss of her father, the birth of my daughter, the birth of her daughter and everything in between.

Are you sure?

Heffa, please. There is no where you need to be, but standing next to me, on my day.

You’re going to look so beautiful!

I know, right?

Ladies and gentlemen, my humble best friend, I held out my hands in her direction as if she was on display.

Look, trick, it’s my one day to be a pretty, pretty princess. Let me have it, she laughed.

All yours. It’s about damn time too. You and Moses have been together for ages. I know Pippa is excited about being the flower girl.

She is, she thinks the whole day is about her.

We laughed.

I mean, let’s face it, all eyes will be on THE real princess.

Ain’t that the truth girl. How’s things with Alonzo these days?

Psh, ain’t no going there. As long as he does like he’s supposed to with Anya, that’s all I’m concerned with.

Is he still with Golden Corral, or whatever that bitch’s name is?

I burst out in laughter.

You mean Goldi? I shook my head.

Whatever, she shrugged.

Yea, she just moved in with him, girl.

Ugh, his pathetic ass. I can’t believe she’s still hangin’ on.

Right, wouldn’t leave me alone, all the while he still had her on the side. He must have thought my name was boo-boo the fool, girl. Anyway, enough about his trifling ass. We have wedding stuff to focus. What else do we need to do?

Hmm. I think I’m pretty set. Let’s see, we are taking care of nails now. Hair and make-up are all set for Saturday morning. Mama has my dress. She wanted to be the one to steam it for me. I’ve got my shoes and headpiece. Flowers are being delivered tomorrow. I’ve got all my needs, like old, blue, etc. I guess the only thing that I really need is to stop stressing and worrying about something going wrong.

Zorah, you are the most type-A person I know. You have planned for everything, besides, that’s why you hired a wedding planner. Let her worry about it all, that’s her job. Just enjoy the fact that you and Moses will finally be legit, with your livin’-in-sin asses.

Zorah and Moses had been together for six years before he finally proposed. He bought a little T-shirt for Pippa that read Mommy will you marry my Daddy? He put it on her right before we all sat down to eat at Easter last year. Pippa come here, where is your pretty dress? She said, then she saw the shirt and started crying. Moses walked over and through tears and some snot, she said, Yes.

Shut up! We both laughed.

But really, I’m so happy for you guys. Tell Moses, I’ll beat his ass if he messes up, but I’m happy for you.

I can’t wait. I know we did it a little backwards, but, hey we’re doing it, right?

Hell, doing it the ‘right way’, doesn’t always amount to shit, so don’t even think like that. That damn piece of paper doesn’t mean squat if he’s a piece of shit, which Moses isn’t, but you know what I mean. You have a beautiful family, that’s all that matters.

Thanks girl! I love you!

I love you, too.

Speaking of love, Georgie, there’s gonna be some good looking eligible bachelors there. As a matter-of-fact, Moses’s best man, Solomon is single. He’s tall and chocolaty with the prettiest smile I’ve ever seen. Don’t tell Moses I said that, she laughed.

I won’t, but please don’t use your wedding as an excuse to play matchmaker. I’m not interested in men right now?

What? You switched sides on me? I mean there’s gonna be some single women there too.

Shut up, you ass. You know what I mean, I chuckled.

Georgie, it’s been four years.

Look Zo, I’m so incredibly happy for you and Moses, but I’m not looking for that right now.

You need to get back on the horse. If you don’t use it soon, it might fall out. I’m not talking love, but you need a good old-fashioned fuck buddy.

Zo! Not so loud!

Girl, please. No one is paying attention and if they were, they’d probably agree with me. You need to get laid.

I am fine! My cycling class helps me release a lot of pent up stress.

Cycling-schmycling. You need some dick.

Zo, you are too much. That’s why you’re my best friend. Now let’s waddle our asses out of here. I don’t want to mess up my toes, but it’s time to go and get some drinks. We have a wedding to celebrate.

You had me at drinks. Let’s go!

Chapter 3

Georgina

By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Moses, you may kiss your bride, Father Deluca said.

Everyone in the church clapped as the newlyweds shared their first kiss, except for Pippa, their three-year-old daughter. She scrunched up her face in disgust.

It is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the first time Mr. And Mrs. Moses Zaccarin.

Zorah beamed as she and Moses walked down the aisle, with Pippa in tow. The ceremony was beautiful, and everything went off without a hitch, as I knew it would. It was a relatively small ceremony, two bridesmaids, Helen-Elizabeth and Kesha. Then, me, as the maid of honor. Moses’s best friend and fraternity brother from college, Solomon, was his best man and his two groomsmen, Casper and James were childhood buddies.

Once they were down the aisle the rest of us followed behind to take pictures, then it was off to the reception.

After the parents and bridal party made their way into the reception hall, it was time for the bride and groom.

May I have your attention as we welcome the new Mr. and Mrs. Moses Zaccarin! Please join me in congratulating the happy couple! the emcee, DJ Dynamix announced.

Everyone in the reception hall jumped to their feet and cheered.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom would like for you to take this time as an