Chapter 21
P arty planners turned the living room into a chic oasis of glitter, tulle, and rose gold everything.
Fresh from a massage and a shower, Sunny barely recognized the room. It was truly fit for a princess, and Brooklyn appeared to love it.
The girls came to the bridal shower dressed very demure and glamorous like they were ready for a day at the Kentucky Derby, minus the big hats. It was all delightfully girly and bougie. Sunny loved it, too.
Brooklyn’s white strapless romper displayed her caramel brown skin. Her makeup was done to perfection. She glowed like a woman who had it all. Sunny couldn’t have been happier for her. She just wished Brooklyn looked as happy as she should.
“Um, T?” she whispered to her best friend as they went down the buffet line. “You can get back in line more than once. Act like you been somewhere.”
Tigra’s mountainous plate balanced precariously in her hands as she tried her best to spoon punch out of the bowl. “I’ve been everywhere, but this food is insane. You see this beluga caviar?”
Sunny had to admit the spread was top notch. She read the tiny placards, marveling at the imported truffle brie, Marcona almonds sprinkled with pink sea salt, hand-shaved prosciutto de Parma, poached lobster tails, Kumamoto oysters with gold-flecked mignonette. Mini wagyu tartare cones topped with edible rose petals. Foie gras macarons. After a while, she got tired of reading and just started grabbing whatever looked pretty.
At the table, Tigra looked around, her eyes narrowing. “So when does the bitch get here?”
Sunny shrugged. “Some time today.”
“Hmph.” Tigra took her champagne to the head. “Maybe she’ll crash her car.”
“Don’t say that.”
“She doesn’t have to die ,” Tigra clarified. “It just needs to be bad enough that she doesn’t make it to the wedding.”
“I hate the bitch more than you do, but we’re not wishing that on her.”
“Right, because you want her to be here so she can see you with that adonis in there.”
Sunny grinned. “Am I too old to be this petty?”
“You’re never too old to be petty. I’ma be on my death bed being petty.”
Sunny stared at her best friend. “You wouldn’t even go into the light, would you? I bet you’d stay stuck in purgatory just so you could haunt people.”
“God knows my heart,” she said around a mouthful of lobster. “He’ll keep my seat in heaven vacant for me.”
“I was with you until you said heaven .”
“I hate you.”
After the food had been eaten and the games had been played, everyone gathered around as Brooklyn opened her gifts.
Things escalated quickly.
“Let’s go!” Jules sang, handing Brooklyn a black gift bag. “This one’s from me. I’m sorry in advance to the moms, grandmas, and aunties in the room.”
Brooklyn pulled out a thin black strap. Then another. And another.
“What the hell is this, Jules?”
“Baby, that’s a harness,” Jules announced gleefully. For when you need him to know who’s in charge. Oh, and that thing is a leash.”
Sunny put a hand on her heart, her eyes jumping to a giggling Tigra.
Brooklyn tore into the next box, laughing as she pulled out a rose gold envelope.
“Gift card?” she teased as she opened it. “Oh—wait…this is…oh my God, an appointment for a boudoir photo shoot in Paris!”
Carmen beamed. “The photographer is famous there. He only shoots in black and white film and completely naked. It’s very sexy, but also pretty tasteful.”
“Davion will love that,” Brooklyn murmured. “He loves when…” she trailed off, smiling at Sunny. “Anyway, thank you Carm!”
The next gift was from Samara. “This is…wowwwww. A remote controlled vibrating panty set.”
“High end,” Sadie said proudly. “Custom fit. Water resistant. He can control it from his phone.”
Sunny downed the rest of her champagne. “Whatever happened to candles and a black lace nightie?” she asked under her breath, prompting Mishon’s laughter.
Tigra cackled. “Welcome to the modern age, babe. Everything is extreme. Get with the times.”
Brooklyn burst out laughing. “I’m sorry, Ms. Sunny.”
“Why are you apologizing to her?” Jules asked with a grin. “She knows she raised a freak.”
“I did not!” Sunny snapped. “And you hush. No more outta you.”
All the girls laughed as Jules winked at Sunny, who couldn’t help but snicker.
The next gift made Brooklyn’s brows knit in confusion.
“I…don’t even know what this is.”
Brooklyn’s Aunt Sadie cleared her throat. “That’s from me. I’ll explain later, but you’ll both wanna be well hydrated when you use it. Check the bottom of the bag. There’s Gatorade in there.”
Sunny stood. “That’s my cue ladies. Goodnight!”