Flaw Less by Shana Burton Page B

returned home early the next morning, she headed straight for the shower. One hundred, fifty, and twenty dollar bills littered the floor. Inside the stall, Reginell sat crying as the water streamed down on her. By now, the high had worn off, leaving her to face the reality of what she’d done in harsh sobriety. She was a whore—worse than that, if possible. She was trash, unworthy of love, of respect, and of anything sacred. She couldn’t show her face to God or to the people she loved most. What would they say if they knew what she’d done? She had pawned everything that was special about her in exchange for a record deal that Ray had called to say was now off the table due to “creative differences.”
    She accepted that she was the slut everyone thought she was. She had done too much to turn back but didn’t have the first clue about how to move forward.

Chapter 8
    â€œI think my mother would’ve preferred that I told her I was gay during my senior year in high school. It definitely would’ve gone over better than telling her I was pregnant.”
    â€” Kina Battle
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    Kina rubbed her hands along her new desk for what must have been the hundredth time that Tuesday morning. After Charles called the day before and offered her the job as his new administrative assistant, she immediately went into praise mode, followed by a phone call to her friends to announce her new position.
    Kina set Kenny’s picture down on her desk and stood back, beaming with pride. “You did good, girl!” she said to herself before settling into her new leather chair. She swished around a little to adjust the seat to her bottom.
    â€œSo are you settling in all right?” asked Charles, approaching her.
    She sat upright. “Oh, yes. I’ve never really had a big space like this to myself,” admitted Kina. “Everything is set up so lovely. I can’t believe I’m actually getting paid to be here.”
    One of the associate pastors followed up with a bouquet of flowers to set on her desk.
    â€œAnd these are for you as well,” announced Charles and handed her the vase. “They’re from all of us to welcome you to the family.”
    â€œOh, wow!” gushed Kina. “Pastor, you didn’t have to do all of that. Just working here is enough for me.”
    â€œWell, yours is the first face people see when they walk through the door, so I’ve got to do everything I can to keep a big smile on it.”
    Kina blushed. “Thank you.”
    â€œIs there anything else you need? I know it’s going to take a minute to figure it all out, but I want to make sure you’re off to good start.”
    â€œYes, I’m fine. Everyone has been so helpful. I can already tell I’m going to love working here.”
    â€œI certainly hope so. It’s the Lord’s will that every man find satisfaction in his work. Mount Zion Ministries wants to be as big a blessing to you as you are to us.”
    â€œYou were a blessing to me long before I was on payroll, Pastor.”
    â€œYou’re mighty kind, my sister.” Charles returned her smile. “I’ll be in my office. Give me a buzz if you need anything at all, and I’ll come running. You have a blessed day, you hear?”
    Charles was so kind and thoughtful. It made her wonder how Sullivan managed to garner enough favor with God for Him to send her a man like Charles. It also made her wonder if he ever did wrong in a past life to deserve a woman like Sullivan.
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    A long day at work followed by a longer day at the gym wasn’t exactly Kina’s prescription for a day of fun, but she was as committed to taking care of herself on the inside as she was on the out, so she dragged herself to Fitness Fanatics with the last bit of energy she had after leaving church for the day.
    After expelling 800 calories between the treadmill, free weights, and ten laps around the