Chapter 10 Kamryn
Kamryn
The ladies sat around the hotel suite the next morning having breakfast before their massages. After finishing the last of
her orange juice, Kamryn said, “I didn’t sleep at all last night.”
Theresa laughed. “Excitement or nervousness?”
“Probably a little of both,” she confessed. While she could attribute some of it to nervous jitters, much more had to do with
the joy and anticipation she felt at finally exchanging vows with the man who’d stolen her heart in a single glance. “So,
for all you married ladies here, how did you feel the morning of your wedding?”
“Girl, you were with me, so you know I was bouncing off the walls with excitement.”
“Yeah, you were, Theresa. I remember the makeup artist having to threaten you with raccoon eyes if you didn’t sit still.
Giselle, you and Shawn are still relatively newlyweds.
Were you nervous at all?” she asked, trying to draw Giselle into the conversation.
She’d seemed a little more talkative during last night’s dinner and party, but today appeared to be more reserved.
Again. Kamryn had thought they were making progress, but now she wasn’t sure.
“Of course, I was really nervous. After planning for over a year, I wanted everything to go off perfectly. And there’s always
a worry whether you’re making the right decision.”
“Doesn’t seem like you made a wrong one. Shawn is a great guy. Actually, all of the guys are pretty cool. I’m going to ask
these seasoned mamas in here to weigh in because they’ve made it work beautifully for decades. Oh, and, Taylor, you might want to pay attention,”
Kamryn added with a sly grin. Seeing Taylor and Austin together would make anyone think they were the ones preparing to exchange vows.
Taylor shot Kamryn a look with a smile.
“I wasn’t nervous at all,” her mother said. “I knew who I was getting at the end of that aisle.”
“Exactly, Charlene,” Mama Yvonne said. “I recall my mother telling me the only reason you should be nervous is if you don’t
know who’s waiting for you down the aisle. If you have to be worried whether or not he’s a good man, then it’s better to walk
away before the I do’s.”
Charlene laughed. “Girl, our mamas must have gone to the same school of parenting, because my mother said the exact same thing.”
“I knew Aaron was a good man. Still is, and he keeps me smiling with all the little things he does. Tariq and Austin are most
like their father in that regard. They’re not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves and are openly affectionate. Shawn
tends to be a little more reserved in that way, but his eyes always glow with love when he looks at Giselle. The jury is still
out on Vincent. That boy has been so focused on getting into school and working that he rarely makes time for dating.” She
shook her head, and everyone laughed.
“He just hasn’t met his one yet,” Kamryn said.
“This is some good advice, and I’ll definitely be taking it to heart.
” She knew Tariq was a good man—the best—and perfect for her.
She didn’t need years to figure it out and looked forward to all the fun in their married life.
Being around her parents and in-laws had shown her that the fire could still burn bright more than thirty years later—if one invested in the relationship. And she was fully invested.
“Maybe it’ll turn out to be the cute girl at his job,” Taylor said with a smile.
“Now that would be something.” Mama Yvonne saluted Taylor with her glass.
Kamryn checked her watch. “Well, we should get ready to head down to the spa. I want to be a little early so we have time
to change and relax before our massages.”
The women stacked all the dishes on the table, then filed out and headed to the spa. It took a few moments to get them all
checked in, and Kamryn was looking forward to being pampered. She’d been going nonstop with wedding planning, work, and meeting
with Theresa to get the new venture ready to go. Spending the next two weeks in the Caribbean would be exactly what she needed
before jumping back into things.
Ten minutes into the woman working her way over Kamryn’s muscles, Kamryn forgot about everything and let the stress melt from
her body.
After she finished, there was a whirlwind of activity as she prepared to walk down the aisle—hair, makeup, and little nibbles
and tea to keep her from starving—and then she finally slipped into her dress.
“Oh my goodness!” her mother said when Kamryn entered the living room area of the suite. “The pictures Yvonne sent me from
your fitting didn’t do this dress justice. You look so beautiful, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She walked over to the large mirror and turned one way, then another, and she had to admit her mother was right about the dress. Even if it did come off the rack, she thought sarcastically. “And please don’t start crying,” she added, seeing the tears pooling in her mother’s eyes. If
she started crying, so would Kamryn, and after enduring an entire hour of getting her face made up, she didn’t want to think about having to touch up anything.
“I know, I know. I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry.” She grabbed a tissue and dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
Kamryn chuckled and shook her head. “You’ve already messed up that promise.” They shared a smile. “The photographer said she’d
be back in a few minutes to take more pictures before we head down.” The young woman had left right after Kamryn finished
dressing to get some candid shots of Tariq.
Twenty minutes later, the woman returned with Kamryn’s father.
“Wow! Baby girl, you look beautiful.” He carefully hugged her and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Even though you’re a grown
woman, I worried about you with us being so far away. But I had a long talk with Tariq last night, and he assured me that
he would now assume responsibility for your welfare. He’s a good young man, and I’m proud to call him son. You’re marrying
into a wonderful family, sweetheart, so your mother and I won’t worry so much anymore. I love you.”
“Oh, Dad, don’t make me cry. I love you too.” She had always been a daddy’s girl, and having his strong arms around her always
made her feel safe and loved. He’d been her protector, her sounding board, and the man who showed her what real love looked
like. The moment was interrupted when the photographer called them over. Soon only Kamryn and her father remained in the room.
“Are you ready to go meet your young man?” he asked.
She smiled. “You’d better believe it.” Any nervous jitters she had evaporated when she recalled her mother and Mama Yvonne’s words.
The only reason you should be nervous is if you don’t know who’s waiting for you down the aisle.
Kamryn knew exactly who was waiting for her, and she couldn’t wait for them to start their life together.
When she saw Tariq standing beneath the bower looking so handsome in his tuxedo, it took everything inside her not to take
off running. He must have interpreted her thoughts because he smiled, shook his head, and mouthed, “Don’t do it.” He knew
her well. Reining in the impulse, she slowly made her way toward him on her father’s arm, smiling at the small gathering of
sixty guests who’d come to witness their joining.
Tariq stepped forward when her father placed her hand in Tariq’s. “I’ll take good care of her, sir.”
“I know you will, son.” He moved back to stand next to her mother.
“You look beautiful, baby,” Tariq whispered.
“And you look good enough to eat,” she whispered back.
He laughed softly. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you, girl.”
“But you will later.” Kamryn faced the minister, smiling inwardly at his shocked expression.
Less than fifteen minutes later, she heard the words she’d been waiting to hear since the day Tariq proposed. Somehow, the
kiss that followed the pronouncement seemed sweeter and more amazing than any that had come before. “I think that was the
best kiss we’ve shared.”
“I agree, and do you know why?”
She smiled and shook her head.
“Because it’s the one that says you’re mine from now until forever. And it doesn’t get any better than that.”
Tears filled her eyes, and the love she felt for this man who’d blown into her stagnant life almost overwhelmed her. “I love you so much.”
“And you are my life.” Tariq kissed her once more. “Now, are you ready to get this party started?”
“Oooh, yeah! Let’s do it.” They danced their way back up the aisle and to the area set up for the cocktail hour. After a couple
of minutes, the photographer pulled them away for more pictures.
When they returned, their families greeted them with hugs.
“Oh, it was such a beautiful ceremony,” Mama Yvonne gushed, tears glistening in her eyes.
Everyone expressed the same sentiment.
“Girl, this dress looks even better on you today than it did when you tried it on in the store,” Taylor said, hugging Kamryn.
“Tariq, you did good.”
“I know.” He placed a kiss on her cheek. “So did you,” Tariq added with a wink.
Kamryn chuckled when Austin pulled Taylor closer. “Maybe we’ll be shopping for you sometime soon.”
“On that note, we’re going to take advantage of these predinner snacks.” Taylor grabbed Austin’s hand and rushed off.
Kamryn and Tariq looked at each other and burst out laughing. Shawn and Giselle approached them last, and Kamryn braced herself
for any rude comment Giselle might make about how the ceremony wasn’t like hers.
“Congrats, bro,” Shawn said, grabbing Tariq in a bear hug.
“Thanks, big bro. Glad to be joining you in marriage land.” Tariq slid an arm around Kamryn’s waist. Staring into her eyes,
he said, “I know it’s going to be amazing.”
“Welcome to the family, sis.” Shawn hugged Kamryn and kissed her cheek.
“Thanks,” she said, still reeling from Tariq’s words and heated stare.
Giselle, with her bright smile, reached up and hugged Tariq. “You look so good. I never thought I’d see you settle down so
soon. I hope you’ll be happy.” She smoothed down the lapels of his tux.
It took all Kamryn’s control not to knock the smile off Giselle’s face. And the way she was all over Tariq again had her close
to boiling. She recalled the woman doing the same thing the day they met, and then at every gathering, Giselle found some
way to be near him.
Surely she’s not in love with my husband, especially when she has her own. Was this the reason for all the tension? Lord, I hope not.
Giselle finally turned Kamryn’s way, her smile all but gone. She mumbled a congratulations and gave Kamryn a quick pat masquerading
as a hug. “Shawn, we should get a little something before dinner too.”
As they walked away, Kamryn shifted her gaze to Tariq, who had a raised eyebrow. “See what I mean? She had no problem being
all smiley with you, but she barely acknowledged me. I’ve never done anything but try to be nice to her, and this is always
the way she acts.”
“That was a little weird,” he admitted.
“You think? Whatever her problem is, I hope she gets it together. I don’t want to have to worry about fending off her attitude
at every family gathering.” She waved a hand. “Okay, woosah. This is our day, and I’m not going to let anybody mess it up.
Are you ready to mingle a little before dinner?”
“Lead the way, beautiful. And don’t worry about Giselle. I’m sure everything will settle down.”
“If you say so,” she mumbled. If it didn’t, she just might have to risk falling out with the family and knock Giselle into the middle of next week. The two circulated, greeting and thanking their guests. Afterward, they enjoyed a delicious meal, then it was time for all the after-dinner activities.
When it came time for the bouquet and garter toss, Tariq said, “You know, instead of wasting my time, I’m just going to hand
it to Austin. That boy has been in love with Taylor since he was fifteen. He just didn’t know it. I’m glad he’s finally figured
it out.”
Smiling, she said, “I love that idea. Taylor gets the bouquet because I know they’re going to be next.”
She followed Tariq’s gaze to where Austin and Taylor stood off to the side laughing, touching, and stealing a few kisses.
“Yeah, you might be right.” He sent a sharp whistle through the room to get everyone’s attention. When the room quieted, he
said, “It’s time for the bouquet and garter toss, but Kam and I are going to take a little detour from tradition.”
They crossed the room to where the couple still stood. Kamryn handed her bouquet to Taylor and whispered, “Let me know when
you want to go shopping.”
Tariq stuffed the garter into Austin’s breast pocket and clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s been a long time coming, little
bro.”
The room erupted in cheers.
“I guess that means everyone agrees,” Kamryn said, laughing. “Let’s party!”
They danced for the next two hours almost nonstop. The DJ called out a last dance and played a soft ballad.
“Mmm. I love being in your arms, Tariq.” She rested her head against his shoulder as they swayed in time with the slow tempo.
“And I love holding you. As nice as this has been, I’m ready to start our wedding night.”
Her head popped up. She gave him a sultry smile. “I don’t have a problem leaving now if you don’t.”
“You ain’t said nothing but a word.” Tariq swept her into his arms and strode toward the exit.
Kamryn couldn’t stop the laughter that poured out of her. On their way out, she spotted Taylor and Austin on the dance floor.
She could feel the love between them. Nope. It won’t be long.
When they entered the suite, Tariq gently set her on her feet, then stood with his back braced against the closed door. “Nice
room.”
“It is. And I can’t wait to share it with you.”
They’d made love for the first time a month into their relationship, but tonight it would be different.
He pushed off the door and slowly closed the distance between them. “I love the dress, and I love you in it. But I’m ready
for it to come off.” Turning her gently, he trailed his lips across her bare shoulder.
Her eyes slid closed. She was ready for it to come off too. Kamryn wished everyone could experience this same kind of amazing
love.