Chapter 3
Chapter Three
“O kay, let’s do this,” Antonio said to Ben, then opened the groom’s room door for them to leave.
It was showtime, and he was glad that Liam had pulled him out earlier to talk. It helped. Between their conversation and the short visit with Bella, Antonio was in a better frame of mind. He was ready to be the best man.
“Wait!” Ben said.
Antonio glanced over his shoulder at his brother and closed the door back. “You better not be getting ready to say something stupid like, I can’t go through with this .”
Ben snorted. “Nah, man. I’m good. Just wanted to thank you for all your help over the last few weeks. I had no idea what all went into a wedding.”
“I know, right?” Antonio smiled, thinking about how busy they’d been in the days leading up to this moment. “I want to get married someday, but I can do without all the hoopla that comes with weddings. Glad you’re experiencing this first. Now I know what I don’t want in my future.”
Ben chuckled. “Yeah, I know. This shindig was supposed to be small and intimate, but I should’ve known that would be impossible with our family.” He sobered and glanced down at his shiny, black Stacy Adams shoes before returning his attention to Antonio. “As for you getting married, I have no doubt your day is coming. I know how hard it is for you to witness me taking this next step. When everyone thought you’d be next.”
Antonio nodded and felt like an idiot for his funky behavior since they’d arrive. “I owe you an apology. I’ve been a jerk all day. It had nothing to do with you. I was all up in my head, and I’m sorry.”
Ben stuck out his hand, and Antonio grasped it before pulling his brother into a man hug where they clapped each other on the back.
“No apology necessary. I know you’re ready to settle down and get married. And though you might not believe what I’m about to say, I’m going to say it anyway. Your woman is out there somewhere. I have no doubt we’ll be in these tuxes again soon, and it’ll be your turn. Maybe even sooner than you realize.”
Antonio was fairly sure Ben was referring to Scarlett, though he didn’t feel as confident. He could only hope something more would develop between them, but he honestly wasn’t so sure. Until he could get a better read on her, he’d try not to get his hopes up. He had made that mistake too many times with women.
While taking a break from dating, one of the things he realized about himself was he moved too fast. He was so set on obtaining his next big goal of having a family that he wasn’t taking the time needed to really get to know the women he dated.
That was going to change, and he’d start with Scarlett if she gave him a chance.
He and Ben walked to the sanctuary, where huge vases of pink and white roses sat on tall clear stands at the front of the church. Bouquets of the same flowers, held together with black, white, and light pink satin ribbons, graced the ends of each pew along the center aisle leading to the altar.
They nodded and greeted their immediate family, who were sitting in the first few pews on the groom’s side of the church.
Antonio took his place next to Ben and nudged him before leaning over to whisper in his ear. “You ready for this?”
Ben flashed him the stupid grin that always signified trouble when he was a kid, and Antonio shook his head and chuckled.
“Hell, yeah,” his brother said, then winced. “I mean, yes, I am.”
They cracked up, and once again, Antonio was glad he was there.
A short while later, the pianist started playing a familiar melody. Two members of the church, a man and a woman, stood near the piano with microphones in their hands. They’d be singing a few songs that Ben and Mahogany had picked out.
Antonio’s gaze settled on the double doors at the back of the church where his stepmother, Makena, stood. She was decked out in a long, pale pink dress, similar to Mrs. Amelia’s, and she was holding Jayden’s hand.
The singers started singing “Love Ballad” by L.T.D, and Jayden escorted Makena down the aisle. His nephew looked sharp in his little black tuxedo, and if the smirk on his face was any indication, the kid knew it.
Antonio grinned as they got closer. It was almost scary how much Jayden was like Ben when it came to self-confidence and maybe even a little bit of arrogance. The kid had been like that since he was two and started talking. If he was like this now, it was going to be interesting for all of them when he became a teenager.
Once Jayden walked McKenna over to her seat in the front row, he stood between him and Ben.
After Mrs. Amelia, Mahogany’s mother, was escorted to her seat, Bella appeared in the doorway with a small white basket. Antonio’s heart melted as she slowly made her way down the aisle, tossing a few rose petals along the way. He was so proud of her. Normally, she was shy, and Scarlett had been concerned she wouldn’t be up for this task with so many people watching. Apparently, Bella was proving her wrong.
As soon as Antonio had that last thought, Bella stopped. She’d made it halfway down the aisle, and now she was nibbling on her bottom lip, looking as if she was going to start crying. It was taking everything in him not to go to her, but…
Jayden sighed loudly, then walked back up the aisle, and Antonio and Ben chuckled softly. When his nephew reached Bella and gently grabbed her hand, the little girl gave him a timid smile as he guided her the rest of the way.
“My boy,” Ben whispered, and Antonio was just as proud of his nephew.
One thing he could say about the Jenkins men, no matter their age, they were taught early on how to be gentlemen.
Jayden walked Bella over to the bride’s side in front of the pews where normally other bridesmaids would stand. But she and Scarlett would be the only two standing up for Mahogany. Jayden had barely returned to his position when Bella scurried over to them, and the wedding guests laughed.
She glanced up at Antonio, and he winked at her, making her smile. What shocked him, though, was when she slipped her small hand into his. He bent down to whisper in her ear. “You did great, baby.”
She flashed another adorable smile at him. “Thank you.”
Ben cleared his throat loud enough for Antonio to glance at him, and his brother motioned with his head for Antonio to look toward the back of the church.
Air lodged in his throat. Scarlett, in all her glory, stood in the doorway of the sanctuary, and Antonio was sure he had never seen a more beautiful sight. As she started down the aisle, stepping to the beat of the music, it was as if everyone in the room disappeared. All he could see was her.
Beautiful didn’t begin to describe how stunning she looked with her hair pinned up in an elaborate twist, makeup flawless, and that sexy ass dress had him clutching his chest. Antonio cursed under his breath as a heaviness pressed down on him. Though he was sure no one heard him, Ben chuckled and nudged him with his arm.
Antonio ignored him. He couldn’t tear his attention from Scarlett. She commanded the room as she glided toward the front of the church as if being carried on a cloud.
From the first day Antonio met her at Mahogany’s birthday party months ago, he had thought her the prettiest woman he’d ever laid eyes on. But it was more than that. She had beauty and brains. A dangerous combination where his heart was concerned.
As his gaze followed her every step , an intense, overwhelming sensation settled around him. There was an electric current pulsing between them even from a distance, and it was taking everything within him to stay up right.
“Goodness,” he murmured, suddenly struggling to get air into his lungs.
“Breathe, dude. Can’t have you passing out on us,” Ben cracked, and Antonio ignored him.
She’s the one , a voice in the back of his mind yelled. She’s. The. One.
The words were blaring in his head like a car alarm in a quiet neighborhood, and Antonio felt them to the depths of his soul. Was his brain messing with him? Or was this some type of premonition? Or maybe he was losing his mind.
“I told you. Your day is coming,” Ben whispered. “The Jenkins men’s myth is not a myth. Brace yourself. Your world is about to be rocked .”
“Man, shut up,” Antonio said out the side of his mouth.
He had heard about that stupid myth. He didn’t believe in such crap, but before he could say as much, Scarlett’s gaze slammed into him, and she smiled. The electric current charging through his body was more powerful than being tased, and Antonio stood frozen in place.
He tried to return her smile, but he wasn’t sure if his facial muscles were cooperating. He couldn’t move, and it was starting to wig him out. It wasn’t until she was in her spot on the other side of the aisle across from him and Ben that he snapped out of whatever fog had descended on him.
He swallowed hard and blinked several times before gazing around the sanctuary. Thankfully, no one seemed to be paying him any mind. That was intense and scary as hell. Like nothing he’d ever experienced before. His breathing was still a little erratic, but after inhaling and exhaling slowly, he didn’t feel as lightheaded.
Be cool , he told himself, and then Bella squeezed his hand while she was shifting in place. Antonio had momentarily forgotten that she was standing next to him. Yeah, he was tripping, and he needed to pull himself together before he embarrassed himself.
He leaned down and whispered into Bella’s ear. “Do you want to go and stand next to your mother?”
She glanced at Scarlett and then back up at him and nodded. After a slight hesitation, she ran to Scarlett’s side.
The music changed and as the ushers unrolled the white runner for Mahogany to walk down the aisle on, the guests stood. Seconds later, Mahogany appeared in the doorway looking like an angel. The two soloists started singing “The Point of It All” by Anthony Hamilton, and everyone oohed and ahhed at the sight of her. His dad, dressed like him and Ben in a black tux, looked dapper as he escorted Mahogany down the aisle.
Ben tugged on his bowtie as beads of sweat popped out on his forehead. Antonio leaned close to him. “You all right, Bro? You aren’t going to pass out on me, are you?” he whispered, and chuckled when Ben growled under his breath.
Unable to help himself, Antonio stole a glance at Scarlett and was shocked to find her looking at him. She dropped her gaze quickly as if surprised to be caught staring. He didn’t know what was going through that beautiful head of hers. Did she feel as off-kilter as he’d felt a moment ago?
She’s the one , the voice inside his head screamed again.
Jeez , could Ben be right? Was the Jenkins men’s myth true? Could his mind, body, and soul really know who he’d end up with? Who his soulmate might be?
Antonio shook the thought free. No way. All types of nonsense went on within his family. He’d lived the craziness for the last thirty-three years. This myth thing was probably another ridiculous conception that some family member made up.
But what if it wasn’t? What if Scarlett really was the one for him? And if she was, how would he know for sure?
He had more questions than answers, but maybe if he took his time and didn’t scare her off, he could get a better read on her. Maybe.