Sometimes Pictures Lie

Prologue

I glanced at the contract, reading everything Quincey was offering in our marriage. To be honest, I had no idea what I was looking at for real. All I knew was between the ring still sitting in the velvet box and the contract, this was a lot.

Here I was, a senior in high school with no kids, planning a wedding that would forever change my life once I put my name on the dotted line.

“Are you sure about this, Q?”

“Yes. Do you trust me, Josie?”

I did…I do.

But this.

I paused and began to gnaw on my top lip, unsure if this was the best decision. This would change both of our lives and everyone connected.

“Q, what about—"

“Listen for a second. Fuck everybody else, because at the end of the day, they won’t matter.

The only two people who will be in this marriage are you and me.

Think about it like this. You’ll gain not only a family name, but a solid ass provider, ’cause you know I’ma take care of you, and protection as well.

Congress is the first stop for me. Once I’m sworn into the Senate, our status will change, meaning security.

I promise to keep you safe, always. Shit, you’ll be able to pursue pageants full-time if you want. ”

I groaned as I put my eyes on his pleading ones.

Johnni, this is all too much, and too fucking soon. You should be focused on picking out a dress for your commencement, not deciding on wedding dresses.

I shook my head. My gut was answering for me. I couldn’t do this. That was until Quincey hit me with the ultimate statement.

“Q, are you forgetting that a requirement to compete in the majority of pageants is that I must be single, never married. Meaning, I won’t be able to compete at all if I marry you. And you know I want the crown.”

I had always wanted to be Miss Universe since the day I’d learned a Black woman could obtain the title.

“Not all of them. If you expand your range and go into more plus size contests, you’ll see they currently have more titles open to women being married and with children.”

My eyes bugged wide at his words. “Children! Now I have to also get pregnant and give you heirs? I don’t know, Q, this is all too much. I don’t think I can do this.”

“Josie, of course not. You know how I feel about kids. I was just saying, the pageant world is expanding their horizons. Look, once I reach the top, I’ll even fund your coaching career so you can continue what you and Mama started.”

I groaned because Quincey knew that was a goal of mine.

When I first got my start in this beauty pageant world, I was like a fish in the desert, just lost and dry, trying to find my footing.

It took his mother, Mrs. Stephanie, to teach me the ways.

She treated it as my introduction to society.

I took all the classes—learning how to dress, talk, hell, even walk.

I always knew I wanted to give back to young girls who were like me.

“Ugh, I swear this shit doesn’t feel right, Q. What if your family finds out, or worse, the world? Think about how bad this shit can blow up for you…and me, hell! Again—”

“Johnni, do you love me?” He grabbed my hands, caressing them gently, soothing me from jumping off the ledge. My mind was going wild.

“Of course, I do. You know that.”

“And you know I love you, right?” I nodded my answer.

“Then that’s the only thing that matters. This is our love story. We can write it anyway we want.”

“So, I’m guessing there would be an official wedding and all.”

Quincey clapped his hands as he got up, hooting and hollering as if I had really just agreed to marry him.

“Oh yeah, of course. You know my parents aren’t going to skip pushing our names into society.

Plus, when the time comes, this will help to show our status and even our growth from high school to college to marriage.

Trust me, that will matter. Paper trails from this point on will be essential pieces of our relationship. ”

“Wait, paper trails, meaning what?”

“You don’t have to worry about that part. That’s all politics, Josie. All you need to do right now is officially say yes and let me put this ring on your finger.”

Again, this is a bad idea.

I knew it and I was sure he did too, but I still said the one word that would change my life, good or bad.

“Yes.” Quincey was up, snatching me up, lifting and twirling me around in a hug.

“Ooh, Josie, this is going to be fun. Us, a power couple taking over the city. I’ma call my people and tell them you said yes! Mama is going to be so excited. Thank you, Josie.”

He released me, going to get his phone while I put my attention back on the contract and sighed before I picked up the pen to seal my fate with Quincey.

“I’m getting married.”