Author/Uploaded by Aminata Coote
Contents 1. Chapter 1 2. Chapter 2 3. Chapter 3 4. Chapter 4 5. Chapter 5 6. Chapter 6 7. Chapter 7 8. Chapter 8 9. Chapter 9&#...
Contents 1. Chapter 1 2. Chapter 2 3. Chapter 3 4. Chapter 4 5. Chapter 5 6. Chapter 6 7. Chapter 7 8. Chapter 8 9. Chapter 9 10. Chapter 10 11. Chapter 11 12. Chapter 12 13. Chapter 13 14. Chapter 14 15. Chapter 15 16. Chapter 16 17. Chapter 17 18. Chapter 18 19. Chapter 19 20. Chapter 20 21. Chapter 21 22. Chapter 22 23. Chapter 23 24. Chapter 24 25. Chapter 25 26. Chapter 26 27. Chapter 27 28. Chapter 28 29. Chapter 29 30. Chapter 30 31. Chapter 31 32. Chapter 32 33. Chapter 33 34. Chapter 34 35. Chapter 35 36. Chapter 36 37. Chapter 37 38. Chapter 38 39. Chapter 39 40. Epilogue About the Author Author’s Note Acknowledgments Aminata Coote His Perfect Wife First published by Hopelight Publishers 2023 Copyright © 2023 by Aminata Coote All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Cover design by Hopelight Publishers Designs Images courtesy of Canva.com Sign up for my newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/Maconya for a glimpse into Mac and Tonya’s past. First edition ISBN: 978-976-8334-01-5 This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy Find out more at reedsy.com One Chapter 1 Latonya McPherson took a sip of her virgin strawberry daiquiri. Her friends were late. As usual. Tonya settled back into the plush mustard cushions, glad they’d chosen The Hanging Garden Restaurant for their bi-weekly girls’ night out. Something about being surrounded by hanging plants gave her a sense of peace. She checked the emails on her company phone, scanning to see which ones looked urgent. Tonya paused at an email flagged important, its subject in all caps. She skim-read it and sighed. Her client Ray Blackburn had forgotten to send over the payroll file for fifty employees. Her team would have to prepare manual checks for the employees to receive their pay on time. She forwarded the email to one of her supervisors. She needed to meet with Ray. At least twice a month, he forgot to submit a file on time, which resulted in additional work for her team. “Oh no,” Peyton Green snatched the phone out of her hand. “This is a no-working zone.” Peyton dropped Tonya’s phone into her bag and slid into the chair to her right. Her friend didn’t seem to notice that several of the male patrons’ heads had swiveled in her direction. And why not? Peyton was gorgeous with her bronze skin and high cheekbones. Especially when dressed to attract attention as she was now in a bold magenta jumpsuit and an afro wig. “Yes, well,” Tonya took another sip. “I wouldn’t have to work if you guys showed up on time.” Peyton rolled her eyes. “And we would have been on time if I hadn’t had to convince Miss Thing here she had to come.” Tonya turned to Cassandra Pageant who’d taken the seat to her left. “You weren’t planning to come. Why?” “Yes.” Cassie tugged on the long sleeves of her black dress. “No. Maybe.” Her friend had straightened her coils and swept them away from her classically beautiful face in a neat chignon. Cassie’s eyes dropped to the table. “It’s a school night.” Cassie shrugged. “I wanted to get to bed early.” Cassie was a kindergarten teacher at a local elementary school. She was the one who insisted that she needed a break and adult conversation. Tonya exchanged looks with Peyton who looked as confused as she was. The whole reason they had these Monday night outings was to beat the doldrums. It gave them something to look forward to as they fought the Monday morning blues. “Is everything alright?” Tonya rested a hand on Cassie’s. Cassie’s phone vibrated. “I’m fine.” Cassie slid her hand away to fiddle with her phone. Tonya stifled a twinge of hurt. What was so urgent on her phone that it needed immediate attention? Cassie’s fingers flew over the keypad. “Who