Chapter 3
THREE
Johnni
“Hollis, can you please repeat that?” I asked in a teasing manner as I put my hand behind my ear like it would help me hear her words better. All I got was a sound of annoyance as she released a heavy sigh and kissed her teeth.
We were sitting in my living room officially planning Mickey’s wedding. It still blew my mind that in under a year she had gone from single mother to engaged with a new baby.
“Hell no, heffa, and you pushing it. Can you just pull up a couple of presentations of the five thousand weddings you mocked up or not? I mean, I came prepared with magazines too. We can cancel your shit all the way out. It doesn’t make me no never mind,” Hollis said, challenging me, picking up her glass of champagne and sitting back on the couch.
I huffed, blowing out a sigh as I crossed my arms. This was what we did.
And as crazy as it sounded, this was how I knew this was my sister for life. We argued about everything, especially when it came to our little sister Mickey and now our goddaughter Minnie. But at the end of the day, we were riding together.
“Ugh. Can’t never just let me shine and admit that my mock-ups are finally coming in handy,” I said while I began to browse through my files on my phone for a couple I thought would fit BK and Mickey perfectly.
Even if this was never the intent for them.
In all honesty, I did this for me. Yes, I was married but I still had fantasies about my dream wedding. Mine and Quincey’s wedding was over the top and very lavish, per Mama Steph and her planning, but it was that, her planning.
I wanted a redo, from the menu, centerpieces, hell, even the flavor of my cake.
Of course, I was being dramatic as hell, but sometimes not being free like I wanted made me feel as if my life was no longer about my own dreams from the moment I decided to marry Quincey.
It was like being in a prison where I had two wardens who planned every detail of my life.
I shook off my own bittersweet feelings as I scrolled through my music app on my phone until I came to my ever-growing wedding playlist, picking the perfect song for the first presentation.
“And yes, I’m setting the scene. It’s the only way this works and you can appreciate the beauty and vision I had when I created them.
I give you, forever in paradise,” I gushed as I clicked the first presentation of a wedding with all the beach vibes.
Pretty cool blues, vibrant oranges, and pinks to match.
The music playing in the background gave island appeal to fit what I hoped to achieve when I pictured myself walking barefoot in warm sand to him.
Johnni, your him doesn’t exist and you sealed your love for life already. Focus.
I put back on my bright smile as I went into detail about the dresses, décor, and flowers I saw for this theme.
“Ooh this is cute, but BK and I were thinking fall vibes. Ya know, around our one-year anniversary or something. And it’s way too cold to be half naked on the beach in October.”
“Wait, which anniversary date are we using again? Is that the dick down date or when you two stopped playing with each other?” Hollis asked, causing me to snicker lowly while I shook my head.
“Anyways, it was the date we made it official. The other details are none of your business, Hollis. You can continue, Johnni,” Mickey said.
“The dick down that told you playtime was over, got it,” Hollis said. That had me and her both cracking up while Mickey flipped us off as she shifted Minnie in her arms who had just fallen into her breastfeeding coma.
“Heffas, y’all do know the final lineup of my bridesmaids isn’t made. Keep playing with me and I’ll have only Amber standing up there with me.”
“Mickey, please, like that will ever happen. I’m maid of honor, Johnni’s old married ass is your matron of honor, and Amber is your only bridesmaid.
Now, Johnni, you can continue. Got this heffa talking crazy like she had an option of us not being up there with her ass.
As a matter of fact, pass me my baby so you can pay attention.
” Hollis didn’t even give Mickey a choice on the subject as she scooped Minnie out of Mickey’s arms and put her over her chest, laying her little head on her shoulder.
I snorted as I got back into my groove.
“Fall vibes… don’t worry, Mickey, I got that too.
How about this one?” I picked another favorite of mine.
Soft jazz began to play just as I clicked.
“Picture this. Set in a vineyard with warm honey hues paired with deep pomegranate wines and plums. Now you can add in some rustic golds if you want or some soft creams to help offset the strong tones you have already. Jazz is the playlist with a good duck or lamb chops being on the menu. Ooh, and the lanterns will be lit, of course, to keep your guest warm. Your girls, it’s just three of us still, right?
Anyway, we could alter the colors in any design you pick. ”
“And it better not be ugly or I’m not wearing it, Mickey. So if you go with this idea, please make better choices than Johnni included,” Hollis chimed in.
That had us all laughing as we focused on the heavy tulle options I had on the screen.
“I was mad at y’all when I picked them out,” I stated as I went to the next slide that had the centerpiece options.
“Heffa, mad for what? And I’m still not understanding why you were planning a wedding when your ass is already married. That has never made sense to me.”
Because I never got the one I wanted.
“Because I love everything about them. The planning, picking out the colors, the dresses, the flowers. Hollis, you act like you weren’t a young bride like me. You remember the excitement when you planned yours,” I said as I went to the next slide of flowers.
“Now I know you tripping over reality. You know the rule, Johnni. We don’t speak on my stupid mistake.
And plus, girl, I know we discussed this before, mine was nothing like yours.
It was in that asshole’s backyard. Nothing special.
” Hollis waved me off while Mickey and me both stared at her while she got lost in her memories.
I forgot she’d actually gotten to plan hers, but unlike mine, money played a factor.
Mickey cleared her throat, pulling us all back into the room.
“Anyways, this is cute, Johnni, and we would definitely be swapping out those dresses. We can add it to the list. What else do you have? Ooh, can I see the grand church one next?” I smiled widely as I nodded and got set up to show her the grand wedding, where the colors were classic, powdery white and silver with a pop of red in the flower details.
Not at all Mickey’s style, but I was sure she picked this one for Hollis.
It was only a few I planned for them and we knew this one was for Hollis.
No matter what she said, I knew she wished her marriage had lasted. Back then, we were both so young, but we bonded over the fact that we had found our forever so young. Not even a year later she was telling me that she was getting a divorce.
“Yes, this is the one. Let us please take a minute and give that dress the proper attention that it deserves.” Mickey gushed over the mermaid style dress covered in the gaudiest jewels and detailing.
Hollis kissed her teeth. “It’s cute or something.”
“Born to be a hater. Hollis, be for real. It’s a whole moment,” Mickey said.
“Ugh, fine. I still say this is one of the best ones you’ve ever planned, Johnni.
The only thing you fucked up was them damn bridesmaids dresses again.
You might want to work on that part of your craft because you don’t have it, bookie butt.
” Between me and Mickey, we groaned our frustration before we got back into it.
I had no desire to be a wedding planner, but being able to give my friend a vision of something she felt she’d lost forever was another great reason to continue my mockups.
After the girls left, I found myself still sipping wine as I scrolled through my presentations, not ready to give up my dream just yet until my phone vibrated, ruining that idea.
I put my glass down and saw a text from Quincey who was due back today.
Q: Josie, I need you. I made reservations for dinner for six. Put on the black dress with the high split that I love you in. See you soon.
Me: Okay.
I closed my laptop as I got up to get ready. It was already a quarter to four and I knew I had to be in full glam. This was more than a simple dinner reservation. No, I knew another couple or people of importance in Quincey’s world would be there.
I hopped into motion, heading upstairs without a second thought. After I found the requested dress in my closet, I grabbed the shoes and accessories to match before hopping into the shower.
Forty-five minutes later, I was putting the finishing touches on my flawless makeup as I heard Quincey’s voice calling out to me.
“I’m in the closet, Q!” I smiled as he stood in the doorway, already dressed in a custom suit to complement my fly.
“And when they ask who the most beautiful woman is, my answer will always be, my Josie. You look stunning, honey.”
I got up and walked over to greet my husband who had been away for a week and a half.
“Thank you, Q. I must admit, this suit is working real nicely with my outfit, sir. I see that plan of yours came together perfectly.” I hugged him and kissed him lightly on his cheek, careful not to smudge my red lipstick.
He chuckled as I stepped back to shut off my vanity mirror while he hit the main light.
“Gotdamn, Josie. I knew you would execute this look well. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes. Where are we going?”
“Diablo’s. I figured protein would be the best call while you’re training.” I didn’t say anything else as he led me downstairs, grabbing my thin jacket before placing it over my shoulders.
Twenty minutes later, Quincey and I were walking to our secluded booth.
When I noticed just two plate settings, my eyebrows rose as my grin spread across my face.