The Love We Shared

By Daya

The love we share is an urban suspense filled romance tragedy that keeps
the reader guessing. The novel is about two women who grew up together
and have been best friends since childhood. The women took two completely
different paths in life but found success in their own unique ways. This book
explores love, heartbreak, betrayal, and things far more sinister. The women
who grew up together and considered each other sisters stumble across the
men of their dreams who just so happened to be brothers. After falling hard
for these brothers they just hope that their idea of a perfect man is not too
good to be true.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543459524

Daya

My name is Rebecca Kennedy but Ive always hated that name so I go by my middle name, Daya. I was born in Bridgeport Connecticut. All through school I hated to read or get called on to read out loud in class. One day after I had graduated high school my best friend Brishae bet me that I couldnt read three books in the month I had left before being shipped off to Navy boot camp. That month I read seven books but that bet and my competitive nature lit a fire in me. Instead of reading all those boring required reading books I read novels that I found interesting and one day I thought to myself hey I could do this, so I did. As far as me personally I try to stay humble, its not too much else to tell.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Girls

Baby girl you have got to get up it’s been almost a week. Shayla called through her guest room door to her best friend.

Go away. was all that was heard from Tiphani.

Shayla Love moved to West Haven, CT in the second grade where she happened across Tiphani Young on the playground during recess. New to the school she approached Tiphani and asked if she could play with her, and the two had been inseparable ever since. They were more than best friends. They were like sisters and often told people just that. Come on at least come out and eat something. Plead Shayla trying to get her girl out of the room and out of the depression she had fallen into. I can’t… It still hurts too bad, I just wanna die! Tiphani complained. She was going through an emotional nightmare after her fiancé Dontae stood her up at the altar a week prior. Tiphani cursed his name, hell she had cold feet too and she still showed up. Why would he wait until the day of to back out? WHY? Is it me? Is it something wrong with me? Tiphani asked snatching the door open and startling Shayla who was leaning on the other side. Tiph come on, now you know, it ain’t nothin’’ wrong with you. Well other than you looking like a gremlin right now. You look like you lost a serious bout with Mayweather. Let me find out my baby daddy been in here and you ain’t say nothin’’. Shayla joked she always knew just what to say to cheer her girl up. Tiphani wasn’t in a playing mood but she just couldn’t suppress the smile that was slowly creeping on her face. I hate you, always making me laugh when I’m not in the mood. She playfully hit her sister with one hand wiping her puffy eyes with the other. I bet I do look like a Troll-Leena after being cooped up in here crying for the past four days.

Don’t worry about it baby girl we gunna get you something to eat and get you all fixed up. I just finished cooking, and I took the liberty of bookin’ us an appointment at the salon at noon. Then we’ll head down to our 3:30 at the spa, the real nice one by the Connecticut Post Mall. Maybe afterwards we can go on a little shopping spree with Dontae’s credit card. How’s that sound? Thinking she had it all figured out she would have Tiphani back to herself in no time and laughing like nothing had ever happened. At least she hoped. How serious could they be? After all they had only been dating for three or four months before he proposed. They still had not made it to their one-year mark yet. She knew Tiphani was one of those girls that fell in love quickly but she had been in longer relationships and gotten over them in no time. However, she also knew no other man had hurt her as bad as Dontae had so Shayla crossed her fingers and hoped for the best.

I mean it sounds good and all but. I don’t think I’m ready for all that I’m still way too embarrassed.

Wait what!? YOU? Tiphani Shanelle Young? Turning down a shopping spree? Shayla interrupted slapping the back of her hand to Tiphani’s forehead to feel for a fever.

Oh yeah, you must be in ya feelings something serious.

It’s just still too fresh the whole ordeal just seems so surreal. I can’t believe he would do me like that. Ya know? More so thinking aloud than anything else. Shayla just nodded pondering her next approach she had to get Tiphani out of this depression she hated seeing her other half like this.

I don’t think I’m ready to go out and face the world just yet. Can we stay here and talk? Determined not to take no for an answer Shayla simply replied Sure. We can for breakfast. Then she turned to head back downstairs. Tiphani knew fighting Shayla on the matter was a lost cause so she headed to the bathroom to freshen up so she could join her at the table.

Shayla made her way into the kitchen and began fixing their plates. She had been raised in Connecticut practically all of her life but her family was from down south. Shayla’s mother Felicia made sure her daughter knew her way around the kitchen. Felicia believed a woman should know how to take care of the house. In other words she needed to be proficient in the cooking and cleaning and how to please her man. She was very proud of the fact that she had kept her man after all these years and never once gave him a reason to step out on her. It wasn’t that she was against women working and being independent. She was never really against anything she just made it a point to be for something. And Felicia was definitely all for family and her husband.

They had fallen into this pure love that just never seemed to fade. This past May had marked 39 wonderful years that Felicia and Warren Love had been happily married. Shayla always admired the love that her parents shared and prayed to one day be just as blessed to have found her soul mate. Although it had not happened for her yet she kept the faith. However, after seeing Tiphani go from cloud nine with Dontae to ground zero skepticism arose on the whole love thing. Shayla sat Tiphani’s plate on the table and got out the orange juice and milk. She hated orange juice but Tiphani loved it. That was just about the only difference between the two. Tiphani loved OJ and hated milk while Shayla was the exact opposite. Once Shayla finished setting the table she pulled out her cell to shoot a quick text and sat down to eat.

In the bathroom Tiphani found herself reliving the nightmare from what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life just four days prior. Standing there she tried to rationalize Dontae’s actions only to devastate herself further. She couldn’t stop beating herself up about his sudden change of heart. Quickly wiping away her fresh tears Tiphani fought to pull herself together. You can do this. You can get past this. Tiphani coached in the mirror It’s his loss. You are a good woman. Smiling into the mirror Tiphani noticed how beautiful she was, even in her current state which was by far her worst. Standing at 5’3 or 5’3 and a half as she loves to share with whoever would listen. 135 pounds Tiphani looked damn good. Shayla often teased her about her actually making it to her height given the fact that Tiphani was half Japanese and half African American. She was going on 25 this year yet she didn’t look a day over 21. Her skin was flawless a nice caramel color not too dark but not too light with long jet black hair that stopped in the middle of her back. People often thought she just had a bomb ass weave, but it was all hers. Leisu, Tiphani’s mother was barely 4’11 and her father Christian was not a very large man either. He stood at 5’6 tops. Although like most men he always claimed to be an inch or two taller. Tiphani must have gotten her amazing shape from her African American side but either way she easily put most women to shame without so much as trying. She loved and hated her beauty. Beauty, it’s a gift and sometimes a curse. Was one of the girls’ favorite lines. But needless to say shawty had it going on.

Snapped back to reality when she heard her cell phone vibrating on the nightstand Tiphani finally left the bathroom to see who it could be. Her phone had not gone off since before the wedding disaster. Just as she got in arms reach she froze.

What if it’s Dontae?

What will I say to him?

Will I be able to keep my composure?

Should I even answer if it’s him?

What will he have to say for himself?

What if he breaks my heart even more with whatever it is he has to say? If that’s even possible at this point.

Man, all these thoughts running through my head. What if it’s not even him? She said aloud to herself standing over her iPhone she saw it was only a text. Shaking her head at how worked up she had gotten over nothing she thought to herself Maybe Shayla’s right. Maybe I do need to get out the house and get Dontae off my mind. Taking a deep breath Tiphani reached for her phone and read you better hurry, your food is getting cold :-)

Setting her phone back down she smiled and said a silent prayer to thanking the Lord for the friend/sister she had in Shayla. Returning to the bathroom Tiphani made a promise to herself to get on with her life and over Dontae and to forget all the hurt and embarrassment he had subjected her to. She turned on the water and splashed her face laughing at the gesture afterwards thinking to herself aloud, Who really splashes their face with water? This ain’t no proactive commercial. After she dried her face she took one last look at the new woman before her and blew herself a kiss and headed out the door and down the stairs to join her friend.

Daaannng sure took you long enough. Shayla joked as Tiphani sat down to eat. Yeah I had to grab my life in there. I almost fell apart when you texted me I thought it was him. Shayla could see the hurt in her sister’s eyes and hear it in her voice as she spoke of HIM. She knew she had to get Dontae off her mind and fast but she decided to make light of the situation instead. It wasn’t like Tiphani was just going to forget he ever existed. Girl, after the messages I left… You ain’t gotta worry about him calling you for AWHILE. Shoot after hearing those voicemails he’s probably in hiding, just rocking back in forth in a corner crying and sucking his thumb. The girls shared a good laugh at the thought of Dontae’s 6’3 muscular self, crying in a corner. As Tiphani sat there laughing with her sister she felt much better, she felt alive again. Tiphani couldn’t wait to start the rest of their day, especially with plans of their Dontae funded shopping spree. So how you gettin’ ya hair did? Tiphani asked in her best hood rat voice. Guuurrrrllll!!! Was all Shayla could get out before the next wave of laughter hit. The two always found it hilarious how differently people spoke and would try to mimic it best they could. Shayla and Tiphani were both free spirited individuals that just loved being their eccentric selves; they truly cherished their random moments. Taking her first bite of food in nearly a week, she looked up at Shayla with the widest eyes and biggest grin. Shayla just nodded and smiled. I told you to come eat something. What were you in there trying to do? Starve yourself to death. Shayla asked Nope. Just wasn’t in the mood but this is amazing, I see you Chef Boyar’Negro . . . I’m gunna need another plate."

As Tiphani finished up Shayla started on the dishes, as a child Shayla hated washing dishes but had grown accustomed to it. Now it was her personal sanctuary as she washed the dishes she would look out the window, hum and just drift away. She loved cleaning in general, it gave her time to reflect on life and really clear her head. Her house was ALWAYS spotless and smelling good. If you didn’t know any better you would have sworn she had a maid or two. Look at you in here sounding like somebody’s grandma. We’re turning 25 this year not 52. Tiphani joked setting her dishes in the sink.

Ha real funny, I’m turning 25 waaaay before you so I’m entitled to feel old. Shayla said handing Tiphani a towel to dry the dishes with. Smacking her teeth at the whole way before bit Tiphani retorted Yeah right you barely got me by three months. Tiphani hated being younger than all her classmates growing up and due to the fact that she was a Fall baby she was always the youngest in her class. In school the kids always teased her for it and called her a baby. More like four but I turn 25 in a few days you on the other hand have to wait until THE END of this year. Shayla chuckled knowing she had gotten to Tiphani.

Hey I almost forgot. Just let granny do this, you know how long it takes you to get ready. It was almost 10 and Tiphani had not even showered yet. Shayla never understood how or why it would take Tiphani so long to get ready. They were both very beautiful women and they knew it. It really didn’t take much to look good. It seemed to Shayla as if Tiphani was just too much of a perfectionist. She remembered one time watching Tiphani struggle with a single strand of hair for about 5 minutes. Shayla had never been that particular and could not see herself starting anytime soon. Hey go pick us out something cute to wear from my closet. I didn’t get a chance to go over your place yesterday like I planned to get some of your clothes. But I’m sure I have something that will fit around that donk you got back there. Tiphani laughed shaking her butt. Yeah girl, you know I try.

With that Tiphani headed back upstairs to start getting ready for their event filled day. She knew they were running short on time and Shayla would probably kill her but Tiphani decided to take a bath instead of a shower. So she plugged the drain and turned the water on, on her way out the bathroom she noticed Shayla had some bubbles and doubled back to pour some in. Tiphani had always admired Shayla’s taste and she made a mental note to find out where she had gotten the bubbles because they smelled so good. Downstairs Shayla shook her head and smiled when she heard the water running. I’m going to kill that girl if we’re late. She thought aloud to herself. Tiphani made her way to Shayla’s enormous walk-in closet and started to pick through the vast collection for what they would wear. Her sister sure had an OCD problem she thought as she carefully picked through the clothes.

Everything was arranged perfectly, broken down by designer. Pants were on the left side and shirts and dresses were on the right, then they were broken down by color. And the back wall of the closet wasn’t a wall at all it was cubbies, shoe cubbies. Shayla had so many shoes and clothes hanging in there Tiphani wondered why she even suggested going to the mall in the first place. Thinking back on her own closet Tiphani quickly dismissed the thought, because she too had way more clothes than necessary. Tiphani laid their clothes on Shayla’s bed and picked out the shoes and accessories for their outfits for the day.

Shayla put away the last dish and picked up her phone to call Tiphani’s granny. She wanted to let her know that Tiphani was in better spirits today and that she would be getting her out the house to fully cheer her up. Tiphani’s granny on her father’s side was all the real family she had left. She had never met her mother’s side of the family because she had never been to Japan or knew how to get in touch with them. Her father had been in the Marine Corps stationed in Japan for two years when he met Leisu. She was so afraid of falling for the American and bringing dishonor to her family. It took some time and many romantic wooing schemes but finally her father had convinced Leisu to run away with him back to the states when his tour ended. Her parents didn’t approve of her being with an American let alone a Black man but they were in love. After being back stateside a little over a year Leisu found out she was pregnant and the two quickly married. Leisu felt it were important for her daughter to know her native language and about her Japanese culture. Tiphani had always heard stories growing up of her family back in Japan but unfortunately she would never meet them.

One dark, moonless, and rainy night her parents had left for a play up in Hartford, CT and never returned. Police later informed her and her granny that they had been involved in a really bad roll-over accident. When the car beside them on the road hydroplaned and sent their car careening into the ditch. Her mother died on impact, whereas her father was thrown from the car and passed away on the way to the hospital. The girls were only in the 6th grade but they were forced to grow up literally overnight. It was a real hard time for Tiphani but Shayla was there for her then just as she was here for her now.

Mrs. Young did not pick up so Shayla left her a brief message. Hanging up the phone Shayla was glad she had taken a shower before she started cooking or else they would be late for sure. She headed upstairs to see what she would be wearing that day. She knew whatever it was would look good since Tiphani had picked it out.

As Tiphani lay in the bath tub soaking in the warm water she couldn’t help but feel blessed. As a child she would have never imagined they would have come this far in life. If someone would have shown them their homes in the future they would have sworn they were lying and it actually was an episode out of the hit MTV show Cribs. They didn’t grow up in complete poverty but they were far from the wealthy lifestyles they had already acquired only two years out of college. They had definitely done well for themselves.

Tiphani made a living as an image consultant she pretty much got paid an admirable amount of money to tell people what to do and she was good at it. She never really understood why someone would pay her as much as they did for her opinion yet she never complained. It was fast easy money. Her ever growing client base and reputation made her somewhat of a socialite. She never messed around with her clients though. She was strictly professional when it came to work. Which is why the whole wedding fiasco was so embarrassing for her. Dontae did not just stand her up in front of all her friends and family, something like that she could recover from. He stood her up in front of the Media WORLD and in this day and age if it’s in the media its international news. It was all in the papers how Ms. Tiphani Young was finally going to be tied down. Tabloids boasted about how some lucky man had won her heart and was going to make her his wife, to hear them tell it, it would be the wedding of the century. Tiphani just knew her reputation was ruined and her career would be over. How could she be taken seriously now? How could she tell someone what to do with their life when she didn’t even have control over her own? As she lay in the tub reflecting on her life and how she would go about gracefully picking up the pieces she heard Shayla coming up the stairs and decided to start bathing so it didn’t look like she was just in there chillin’. Shayla walked in the bathroom to see Tiphani Maxin’ and relaxin’. As her father Warren would say. You in here getting all prune-y? I hope you know it’s already 10:45. I’m finna get dressed don’t take all day. Yeah yeah I hear you. I’m almost done. Tiphani lied now trying to move with a sense of purpose.

As Shayla made her way over to her bed she had to admit Tiphani had style they would be stepping out looking flawless as usual. I wanna hear some music. What are you in the mood for? Shayla called out to Tiphani who was still bathing in her master bathroom. Uhhhh I’m not sure. Play a club joint. I ain’t in the mood for no slow jams. Tiphani responded a little louder than necessary, which was one of Shayla’s pet peeves. She didn’t like a lot of yelling in the house. If you were too far away she would just text you. But Shayla didn’t hold it against her she just hooked up her iPod to the Bose system and cranked it up. Shayla knew how much Tiphani loved Drake so she was now playing his song Headlines on her surround sound and the girls were singing along every word.

Chapter 2

Mr. Handsome

I have to say Libby is a miracle worker. We look damn good. And that feather wrap is amazing, no it’s flawless, no wait it’s pristine. Shayla laughed at her friend always trying to use big words. It was like she knew what the word generally meant she just could never use them correctly. Why thank you and I’m lovin’ the new look, it fits you. Shayla confessed she didn’t think the Chinese bangs would look right on Tiphani but they looked better than right. They were very becoming. Libby had really hooked them up, even though they were 15 minutes late for their noon appointment. Shayla made sure to tip her 50 bucks as an apology for their tardiness. Say, we have some time to kill before our 3:30 at the spa. You want to swing by Barnes and Noble? I need to get some books for work. Shayla asked already knowing the answer. Hell Yeah I do! A friend of mine was telling me about this book by K’wan I haven’t read yet. Can you believe it? Anyways she says it’s a must read. Tiphani answered a little more excited than Shayla had expected. Tiphani loved reading not all genres just anything by K’wan, Zane, or Eric Jerome Dickey. She had just started getting into Mary Honey B Morrison’s books. Which are pretty good might I add, but the other authors were her favorite. If their names were anywhere on the book she read it. Shayla was more into reading books that would make her some money. After all she was an accounting major and now working for one of the largest firms out of New York. She was started out at 60 bucks an hour fresh out of college and had already been promoted twice in the two short years she had been working there, moving up to salary status. She had been on the fast track to success after landing a major account almost doubling the company’s net worth and was awarded the position of Jr. Vice President. Shayla was now earning a hefty 180,000 a year and had her own rather large corner office with a nice view overlooking downtown Manhattan.

Pulling into the parking lot you could see the anxiety building up inside Tiphani. She almost jumped out of the car as Shayla was putting it in park. Damn girl! That book ain’t goin’ nowhere. Shayla said to herself because Tiphani was already half way to the entrance. By the time Shayla made it to the financial section Tiphani had already located the book and had read up to page 3. Oh yea I’m definitely buying this one; I swear the man is a genius. Tiphani whispered to herself already on her way over to the register.

Tiphani had finished making her purchase by the time Shayla spotted the books she was looking for and got in line. So Tiphani walked to the end of the line again to stand with her while she waited. Is it really that good? Shayla inquired seeing how intently Tiphani was reading. Girl yes, I’m telling you the man is a genius. Tiphani professed as if she were an expert critic on literature. I’m excited about hitting up the mall though. The way I’m going to be shopping people are going to think I’m a millionaire or at least married to one. Tiphani joked before diving back into her page turner. It was now Shayla’s turn so Tiphani took the keys and made her way to the car. The girls hated sitting in a hot car and it had been a record setting summer for Connecticut with temps reaching as high as 110 degrees. It wasn’t that bad today, only 89, but 89 degrees in CT is still hot and to make matters worse Shayla had leather seats in her all black 2011 Range Rover. There was no way they were going to sweat out all that sexy not before the mall. Right when Tiphani got the air blowing good Shayla made it to the car ready to listen to her favorite rapper Young Jeezy’s latest album titled 103. She loved him so much she purchased the CD at the store and then again on iTunes. She had been listening to Drake all morning and was ready to hear her boo’s voice through the speakers. As soon as Waiting came on she thought to herself you know me so well, and skipped to Supafreak featuring 2 Chainz. It was her favorite song on the whole CD. Now you know yo scary ass ain’t no super freak. Tiphani cackled, obviously offending Shayla as she gave her