Nearly Drowned in Love Revised Copy

By Audrey Turner

Nayla Jones is an aspiring writer who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Recently divorced, she turns to a group of friends as well as her faith to get back on her path. When she begins a deeper friendship with her acquaintance, Bella, she discovers deep-rooted secrets and trauma within her group of friends. Nayla takes a personal journey that culminates in an adventurous cruise with the whole group. With the help of her friends, she is forced to confront her quest for love, success, and true happiness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: turnau
• Release date: Aug 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463951866

Audrey Turner

It takes getting fired to stumble on my natural born gifts that God would no longer keep dormant. I’m the one who has been writing basically her whole life but now realized that she’s an author. Author of five books. Created her website. Stumbled on the fact that she also is an app developer along with designing and making purses. Then designing shoes. Can also be known as a blogger. I would like to introduce you to me. Just me being the best version of who God has created me to be.

Book preview

Nearly Drowned in Love

by Audrey Turner

Revised

Copyright 2019@ by Audrey Turner

ISBN-13-9781686348907

All rights reserved by AVT Enterprises

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphics, electric, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by information storage retrieval system with written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Author’s website audreyturnerministries.com

Author’s email address is [e-mail]

Acknowledgements

I want to thank the first love of my life, my heavenly Father, for teaching me that with You, all things are possible.

I want to thank my parents for believing in me and pushing me to always be my best.

I want to thank my family and my friends for their constant love and support. You will always be in my heart.

I would also like to thank my pastor Apostle Dr. Dale C. Bronner and his wife Dr. Nina Bronner of Word of Faith Cathedral Church for their time, continued teachings and never giving up on a God given dream.

I want to dedicate this book to my mother, who is a phenomenal woman. I thank you for giving me life. You have always pushed me to do my best and never settle. I am forever grateful.

Table of Contents

ONE - NAYLA

TWO - NAYLA

THREE - JENNY

FOUR - BELLA

FIVE - JADA

SIX - TONY

SEVEN - NYOMI

EIGHT - BELLA

NINE - NAYLA

TEN - NYOMI

ELEVEN - NAYLA

TWELVE - TONY

THIRTEEN - JADA

FOURTEEN - JENNY

FIFTEEN - BELLA

SIXTEEN - NAYLA

SEVENTEEN - JENNY

EIGHTEEN - NAYLA

NINETEEN - BELLA

TWENTY - NAYLA

TWENTY-ONE - BELLA

TWENTY-TWO - NAYLA

TWENTY-THREE - TONY

TWENTY-FOUR - NAYLA

ONE - NAYLA

The sun beams on my caramel skin as I lay on a blanket in the backyard. I am halfway dozing when I feel my cell phone vibrate next to me.

Looking at the phone, I notice it’s Bella.Oops. I realize I forgot to invite her to the party tonight.

Hey girl, I say as I answer the phone. What’s going on?

Hey Nayla, Bella’s voice is light and cheerful. I was—

Listen, I know it’s short notice, but I’m having a get together tonight and I—

Yeah, I was just about to say! I have a bone to pick with you, girl. I was talking to Jenny a few days ago, and she asked me if I was coming to your 4th of July dinner party. Why didn’t you tell me? she asks, sounding annoyed.

I was going to tell you! I explain. I called you last week and left a message, but you never called me back. And then I just got busy and it slipped my mind.

You called me? I guess I need to check my voicemail. I was about to go off on you! she says with a chuckle.

Well, anyway, I sit up and take a sip of my wine before walking back in the house, still on the phone. It’s tonight at 7. Can you come?

Yeah, girl. I’ll be there, she says.

Great, I say. I’ll see you then.

We both hang up, and I turn some Will Downing on as I start working in the kitchen. A part of me wonders if Bella will be late like she usually is or if she will show up with some random strangers like she always does at parties. I hope not. And I really hope she doesn’t make a scene with Tony and Jada. Bella and Jada grew up together, and I think they used to be close, but Tony and Bella really don’t seem to like each other. Now that I’m thinking about it, I’m not sure inviting Bella was a great idea.

I’m fixing the appetizers, and my mind starts wandering with anxiety. Everyone I’ve invited tonight knows each other for the most part, but I think it will be the first time they’ve all been together. It might be an interesting dynamic. I really hope that it goes well.

I reassure myself that my dinner party is going to be amazing as I put the finishing touches on my cheesecake. If nothing else, the food’s going to be amazing.

After several hours in the kitchen, I carry trays of food out to a table in the backyard. I have the whole area decorated with sparkly lights and it looks lovely. I step back and take a look at all of the food: a tossed salad, hot wings, crab cheese dip, and a shrimp cocktail to start things off; stuffed blue fish, ribs, and barbeque chicken as entrees; and a delicious cheesecake with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream for dessert. My mouth is watering. I sneak a taste as I pop a shrimp into my mouth. Delicious.

I dash upstairs for a quick touchup of my makeup. I put on some light lipstick that matches my red halter jumpsuit and light mascara to compliment my big brown eyes. I style my long, brown hair in a simple sophisticated but relaxed updo. I take a deep breath. This is my first time playing the hostess like this. I hope everything goes well.

The doorbell rings, so I head down the stairs, guessing that my friends, Jenny and Steve will be the first to arrive. I open the door to discover that it’s actually Jada and Tony.

They both smile at me as we all say hello to each other. Jada looks nice in a simple black skirt and purple top, letting her long black hair flow casually to her shoulders. Tony wears khakis and a nice black shirt, looking relaxed. Tony is carrying a six pack of beer.

You didn’t have to bring anything, I say.

It’s all good, he says with a shrug. They seem a little uncomfortable, like there is distance between them, but maybe I am imagining things. I take them to the back yard, and Tony opens a beer and takes a sip. I hear the doorbell ring again and rush back to the front door to find Jenny and Steve.

Hey! Jenny greets me enthusiastically, beaming at me. She’s wearing a light green summer dress that compliments her tall, skinny frame, and her gorgeous red hair is pulled up into a ponytail. She always manages to look casual and glamorous at the same time. Her husband, Steve, gives me a friendly smile. I notice he is holding some sparklers.

You brought sparklers? I ask with a laugh.

What is a 4th of July party without them? he asks.

You do know we’re going to walk down to the park to see real fireworks, right? I tease.

Oh, he knows! But he wanted to bring them anyway. Jenny says. Hey, did you talk to Bella?

Yeah, she called me. She’s supposed to come tonight so I guess we’ll see!

I guess we will! Steve rolls his eyes, obviously skeptical. He is slightly taller than Jenny, and he has short light brown hair. They’ve been married for about ten years now, and they always still look so happy to be together, especially when compared with Jada and Tony.

Come see the backyard! I exclaim as I grab Jenny’s hand and pull her in the house, through the living room, and out the back door. Steve follows us. I show both of them all of the food and all of my decorations. They are very complimentary. Jenny and Steve start talking to Jada and Tony as I pop another shrimp in my mouth. The doorbell rings again.

This time it’s Nyomi.

Hey girl! she says as she hugs me. She looks impeccable as always in her dark blue halter top dress with white polka dots. Her makeup and hair always looks phenomenal and tonight is no exception with her dark hair in perfect curls. She is holding a bottle of wine.

I made your favorite cheesecake, I say with excitement.

You did not! she exclaims.

I did! Everyone’s out back.

We join everyone in the backyard. Jada and Jenny are sitting casually at the table, each sipping on a glass of wine and talking. Tony and Steve are standing by the food table sneaking appetizers and drinking beer. Everyone says hi to Nyomi.

I guess that’s everyone except Bella, I say.

I catch Jada giving Jenny an irritated look. Am I imaging that?

We don’t have to wait for her to start eating, do we? Jenny asks. I’m starving! And who knows when she’ll be here. You know Bella!

We all chuckle. I glance down at my watch and see that it’s already 7:30 pm.

Let’s go ahead and start, I say. I can’t wait for you guys to taste everything. The cheesecake is especially tasty. I can’t help but be a little proud. I think I like being a hostess.

We all make our plates and sit around the table. I put some soft jazz on the CD player I have sitting outside. For July in Atlanta, it’s really nice out—warm but not unbearable with a slight breeze. The sunset is gorgeous, and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves—mostly. Steve blesses the food, and everyone digs in.

This crab dip is so good, Jenny says. You have to give me the recipe.

For real, Steve says. And these ribs are amazing.

He’s not lyin’, Tony adds.

You should start cooking for my catering business, Jenny says.

"How’s that going, by