Chapter 13
Three months later . . .
The soft piano chords of John Legend’s “So High” were stroked, making this moment very real.
My breath was shaky as I took slow steps down the aisle.
The red rose petals fit the black and red theme perfectly.
The fishtail dress I wore ensured that I had no choice but to take my time.
When I passed by Quadior sitting in the crowd, he winked while sporting the sexiest smirk.
I smiled at him before continuing into position.
Hileevee came down the aisle after me, looking just as beautiful.
Then it was time for everyone to stand, as our baby sister finally made her presence known.
I’d already seen her and shed tears, yet here I was, once again, stumped like it was the first time.
When I glanced over at Angel’s soon-to-be husband, Roland, all I could see was pride in his eyes.
He was just as ready to be her husband as she was to be his wife.
You would think I’d feel some sadness or nostalgia, watching my sister get married, but it was so easy to celebrate her with Emir’s death.
It was like I knew I could finally put the past behind me.
While the world was still being thoroughly entertained by the truth of who Emir really was, I finally found freedom.
There were no charges brought against me, because my case was strong.
I had physical proof; plus, Quadior was a witness to the whole thing.
As far as I was concerned, Emir got what he deserved.
With that thought in mind, all I could do was wish my sister the very best.
During the entire ceremony, all I could do was watch Dior, and he had the same idea.
The smile tugging at the corners of his mouth was my anchor.
He’d been my strength through everything.
Between invasive media, who lacked empathy, and law enforcement that still wanted to pretend that I wasn’t the victim in this, I needed him in my corner real bad.
No matter what was said, he remained by my side, even willing to take the brunt of it all so I could have a peace of mind.
When I left home that night to go to Angel’s bachelorette party, I never would’ve guessed the many things that would happen after that. But it was the best choice I made for myself. Well, other than deciding to open my heart for Dior. He was a blessing in more ways than one.
After the ceremony, we filed out one by one behind the bride and groom. We took a million pictures before it was time to head next door to the reception area. I couldn’t wait to get to my man, knowing he was waiting for me.
I danced my way down the aisle to my seat, happy for the chance to rest my feet because they were throbbing.
The reception was set up beautifully, and everyone was enjoying themselves.
After the siblings’ toasts, I finally excused myself to answer the call of the man across the room.
Dior was already waiting for me when I walked up on him.
“You are the most beautiful woman in the room,” he complimented the second I was in his space.
My heart fluttered when I returned his grin. “Thank you, baby. You are looking mighty dapper yourself.”
He centered his tie and expanded his chest. “Even cutthroat niggas know how to clean up, mama.” He extended a hand that I happily accepted. “Could I have this dance?”
“Of course, you can.”
He led us on the dance floor as Faith Evan’s “I Love You” began to play.
Dior’s arms went around my waist while mine went around his neck.
Two-stepping to the beat, we got lost in a world of our own as we sang the lyrics to each other.
Without a doubt in my mind, I knew we both meant it.
Maybe even a little more than the other could imagine.
“I love you,” I sang proudly with every part of me.
“I want you,” Dior followed up, and I melted into his arms. His lips brushed against mine, and the world around us continued to melt away into a portrait of colors I wished I could recreate. The only reason we separated was because Lee and Laprada walked up to us.
“Um, y’all need to get a room instead of dry humping in the middle of the dance floor,” Laprada said with a shake of her head like she was disappointed. “It’s kids in here.”
“And they can mind their business. Come on, Sister. It’s time for the bouquet toss,” Lee said, taking a hold of my hand and pulling me away before I could say anything to my man.
I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see Dior snatching his sister into a headlock. Only God knew what she’d said to him, but since I was being carted off, my mind was left to wonder. Lee pulled us all the way to the front as Angel got in place with her beautiful bouquet of red roses.
All the women were giddy as hell when she began her countdown.
On three, she tossed the bouquet behind her with full force.
Without even trying or moving an inch, it automatically landed in my hands.
My mouth fell open in surprise because it was the last thing I expected.
I was not the superstitious type, but if I had to get married again, I knew exactly who it would be to.
“Oh shit,” Lee teased as Angel squealed before running up to me. I searched for Dior, only to find him across the room being hyped up by Keem, Mo, and Laprada. He winked at me, and I knew what that meant. He wouldn’t mind.
The men flooded the floor next for the garter toss.
My man stood right at the front, ready to catch a little something.
All the men seemed to have the same idea, because when Roland tossed the garter, they all moved out of the way, leaving Dior as the only option.
For the ones who didn’t know why, they kept them out of the way.
That was the kind of respect he deserved from his crew.
My insides turned into mush when he motioned for me to come closer. He hooked my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “What do you say, mama? Can you see a future with me?”
I nodded twice. “I can see a million lifetimes with you.”
He shook his head with this expression of adoration that sedated me. “I fucking love you, Harlo.”
“I fucking love you more, Quadior.”
I knew without a shadow of a doubt that in Dior’s arms was exactly where I belonged.
The love and protection he offered me would always be enough to carry me through my hardest days.
I knew the love we had ran deep. Deeper than the scars from my marriage to Emir.
For that, he would always have every part of me.