Twelve
Kema
Waking up on a private island was not on my bingo card when I asked Ace to be my plus one.
But crazier things have happened. We had a time last night and I still couldn’t believe Ace managed to surprise me like this.
When he woke me up yesterday, I had been annoyed because all I wanted to do was sleep.
Then he brought me to a private-ass island, treated me to an actual date, and fucked me all night long.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time for another round because we had to return to Cancún for the wedding. Ace Davis was damn near perfect, and I didn’t know what I had done to get a man like him to come into my life. “You staring at me again,” he said.
I looked away from the ocean and found him watching me from across the bungalow. He was already dressed, while I was still wrapped in the sheet. “I was thinking.”
“Here you go overthinking shit again.”
“Shut up.”
Ace smiled and checked the time. “We need to leave in twenty minutes. Sierra said she wants you back by noon.”
“And you’re scared of her?”
“I respect the bride.”
“You’re scared.”
“I’m scared she’ll make you cuss me out if we’re late.”
“That is a valid concern.”
I climbed out of bed and gathered my clothes from the floor. Ace watched me the entire time. “Can I help you?” I asked.
“Yeah. Bring your naked ass back over here.”
“You just said we need to leave.”
“I can be quick.”
“No you can’t.”
“Give me ten minutes.”
“No Ace.”
“Five.”
I stepped into my shorts. “You had me all night. Be grateful.”
“I am grateful. That doesn’t mean I’m satisfied.”
“That sounds personal.”
Ace came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “You enjoyed yourself?”
I leaned back against his chest. “Maybe.”
“You screamed my name enough.”
I elbowed him lightly. “Don’t start.”
He kissed my cheek before releasing me. “Come on. Let me get you back before Sierra sends people looking for us.”
We ate fruit on the boat while heading toward Cancún. I rested against Ace as the island disappeared behind us.
The closer we got to the resort, the more reality settled in. The wedding was happening in a few hours, and I had responsibilities.
More importantly, I had to walk down the aisle with Markel. That idea would have ruined my entire day a week ago. Now, I just wanted to get through it so I could watch my best friend marry the love of her life.
Ace squeezed my thigh. “You good?”
“Yeah.”
“You sure?”
“I have to walk with Markel.”
“You want me to handle that?”
I laughed. “What are you going to do? Replace the best man?”
“I could.”
“No, you cannot.”
“Shit yes I can.”
I snickered, “I’ll be fine. It’s a thirty-second walk.”
Ace studied me. “If he bothers you—”
“I’ll handle it.”
He nodded. “I know you can.”
That was one thing I appreciated about him. Ace was protective, but he didn’t treat me like I was helpless. We returned to the resort at eleven forty-seven.The second I stepped into Sierra’s bridal suite, she looked at the clock. “Thirteen minutes to spare.”
I giggled, “I knew he would have me back in time."
“I wasn’t worried about him bringing you back. I was worried about y’all getting too distracted out there.”
I placed my bag on a chair. “We didn’t.” Sierra stared at me like she didn't believe me. “Well we didn't this morning.”
“That’s what I thought.” We both chuckled. "And I want all the details later on."
I rolled my eyes and headed deeper into the bridal suite. It was filled with a few bridesmaids, the makeup artist, hairstylist, and enough food to feed all of us. “Let’s Get Married” played from the speaker while everyone talked over one another.
For the next few hours, I focused on Sierra. I helped her into her dress, fixed the train, and made sure she ate something between sips of champagne. When her hands started shaking, I took the glass from her before she spilled it on herself.
“I think I’m going to throw up,” she whispered.
“You’re not. You’re fine.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’ll kill you if you throw up on this dress after we spent all that money.”
Sierra laughed, but tears filled her eyes. “Oh, no.” I grabbed a tissue. “We are not ruining your makeup.”
“I’m getting married.”
“I know.”
“Like, really married.”
“That is usually what happens at a wedding.”
“Kema.”
I smiled and took her hands. “Sisi, Stephen loves you. That man has been looking at you like you’re the only woman in the room since the day you met him. You’re not making a mistake.”
“What if I fall?”
“Then we’ll pick you up before anybody gets a picture.”
She chuckled. “You deserve this,” I told her. “You deserve somebody who chooses you every day. Now stop crying so we can get you married.”
Sierra pulled me into a hug. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
A coordinator entered a few minutes later and announced it was time. My stomach tightened. I was nervous for my friend and this wasn’t even my wedding.
We gathered our bouquets and followed her downstairs. The ceremony was being held on the beach beneath a white floral arch overlooking the ocean. The bridesmaids lined up with the groomsmen near the entrance.
Markel was waiting for me. He looked good in his tan suit, but the sight of him didn’t make my chest ache anymore. I didn’t wonder what our wedding would have looked like or why I hadn’t been enough for him. I felt nothing.
That surprised me more than anything. Markel offered me his arm. I hesitated before placing my hand around it. “Kema,” he said quietly.
“Don’t.”
“I need to say something.”
“We’re about to walk down the aisle.”
“I know. Just listen.”
The couple ahead of us started walking. We had less than a minute before it was our turn. Markel released a breath. “I’m sorry.”
I glanced over at him. Why did this nigga feel like now was the right time to express his feelings.
Whatever I just had to make it through us walking down the aisle together.
“Kema, I'm sorry for cheating, embarrassing you, and if I made you feel like you weren't enough.
" His eyes dropped briefly. “You didn’t deserve any of that.”
I wanted to laugh in his face. What the fuck did he mean if he made me feel like I wasn't enough. Kel thought to highly of himself. But instead I chose peace becuase today was Sierra and Stephen's day not mine.
Maybe a few weeks ago or even a few days ago I wanted this apology but today I didn't need it. I simply nodded and replied, "I forgive you."
Markel's eyebrows lifted slightly. “I don't forgive you because what you did was okay. I forgive you because I’m tired of carrying it. What happened between us doesn’t get to control what I do next.”
His eyes moved toward the ceremony space. “Is Ace what you want next?”
The coordinator motioned for us to prepare. I looked through the open doors and found Ace sitting near the front. He was already watching me. A smirk touched my lips before I looked back at Markel. “Yes.”
Markel nodded. “He always wanted you.”
“I didn't know that until now.”
Music began, ending our conversation. Markel held out his arm again. “You ready?”
I placed my hand around it. “Let’s get our friends married.”
We started down the aisle. For the first time since Sierra told me Markel was bringing Tiana, I didn’t care who was watching me. I didn’t care whether Tiana thought I wanted him back or whether Markel regretted losing me.
My attention stayed on Ace. His gaze moved slowly over my dress before returning to my face. The corner of his mouth lifted, and I fought the urge to smile too hard.
Markel and I separated at the altar. I took my place beside the bridesmaids while he stood next to Stephen. Then the music changed. Everybody rose as Sierra appeared.
Stephen covered his mouth when he saw her.
His eyes filled with tears, and Sierra immediately started crying too.
I smiled through my own tears. The ceremony was beautiful.
Stephen promised to protect Sierra’s heart, make her laugh when life got difficult, and choose her even on the days they didn’t like each other very much.
Sierra promised to love him, support him, and only threaten to leave him twice a year. Everybody chortled at that statement. When they exchanged rings and kissed, the entire beach erupted. My best friend was married.
After pictures, the wedding party boarded a boat that would take us back to the resort for the reception.
Sierra and Stephen sat together near the front, wrapped around each other like nobody else existed.
I found a seat near the back. Ace sat beside me and immediately placed his hand on my thigh. “You look beautiful,” he said.
“You’ve seen me all day.”
“And you’ve looked beautiful all day.”
I smiled and leaned against him.
“How was the walk?” he asked.
“Markel apologized.”
Ace’s hand stilled. “What did you say?”
“I forgave him.”
He looked at me, but there was no jealousy or anger in his expression. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I glanced across the boat at Markel before returning my attention to Ace. “For the first time, I think I actually am.”
He kissed my forehead and pulled me closer. I once thought forgiving Markel would mean excusing what he did or admitting it no longer mattered.
It did matter. It changed me. But it didn’t affect me anymore. And as the boat carried us back toward Cancún, I realized I wasn’t leaving that hurt behind for Ace. I was leaving it behind for myself.