ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 70

" So I asked my old bestie from high school Shondie to be my maid of honor," Bliss said as she enjoyed a lunch with her fiance Jeremiah at his sister Keisha's cafe. She took a delicate bite of her strawberry salad and crunched a lettuce leaf gently. " Of course she said yes. You'll like Shondie. Hopefully not too much. She was a little flirty in high school. We used to like to steal each other's boyfriends but we were still girls. " She laughed heartily. " We're grown now though. She's divorced now with a kid about Nic's age. She's a nurse over at St. Paul's. "

Jeremiah smiled at her as he finished his grilled chicken sandwich. " Sounds good to me. I was surprised that Richard agreed to be my best man. I respect him as a mentor and colleague as well as appreciate him as a friend but it can be difficult to have a friendship with him. He can be.... fairly aloof. At times. "

" So that's what the stick up his ass is called? ," she teased wryly and they both laughed fondly.

Then they were approached by a petite slim older Black woman whose face was smiling enthusiastically at Bliss. The woman exclaimed," It's you ! I know it is ! The one that won on Rebel's talent show with the gay looking man ! Gal , you both sang your behinds off. He sounded like Reese Malden and you..... you just little Mahalia. Rebel was right when he called you Billie Holiday. You are good, baby girl. "

Bliss smiled widely. " Why thank you, ma'am. That's so sweet of you to say. I just did my best. "

" Well ," the older woman chortled on ," your best was darn good. I can't wait to hear you singing with Rebel on his album. You're going to be a star. Give them that Black gal magic, sista. Can I get your autograph, honey, because I know it's going to be worth something very soon ? "

As a deeply flattered Bliss fished out a piece of paper and a pen from her purse to write " Thank you for the compliment ! Bliss Marie Jones " the woman glanced casually at Jeremiah and said to him , " You must feel special being with Bliss Jones , son. Such a lucky man you are. "

Jeremiah smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. This was the third time since that damn show that their public time outside had been interrupted by strangers fawning over Bliss. It was amusing first but now it was just getting annoying.

As she handed the woman the autograph Bliss said ," This is my fiance. He's a lawyer. He graduated from Howard. "

The woman dismissed him with a shrug of her broad shoulders. " Oh , well , we can't all perform like you and the new Reese Malden. "

Bliss smiled glowingly.

Jeremiah grimaced as he got up to go refill his cup of coffee.

Keisha was at the counter wiping it down swiftly with a rag. She glanced at her younger brother. " You okay, bro? "

Jeremiah forced a grin on his handsome face. " Oh , I'm just fine. Just call me Mr. Bliss Jones. "