Securitywasheaviertonightthan I’d ever seen at previous events my family held. And still, I was nervous exiting the Maybach. It had only been two and a half weeks since I was shot. The pain had subsided. In the days since leaving Monico, I intentionally found reasons to smile. The small gestures hadn’t quite chased away the nightmares, but I was noticing that some of the depression I felt was subsiding. I fought my way through the nightmares, without the help of Antonias’s body next to me. I had to put a stop to that because getting used to him lying next to me was too easy.
After days of reflecting on Kwamé’s unsolicited advice, I had to come to a full stop regarding Antonias. No matter if he spent most of his waking hours with me, I remained cordial and unfazed by his touches, words of comfort, and support. My shift in behavior had Antonias side-eyeing me. However, if I were Katrelle, I wouldn’t want my man laying up with another woman, sexual or otherwise.
“Why the hell did I let you talk me into this?” Kwamé mumbled as we walked inside of the Flora Mae Ballroom. This place was exquisite from its high ceilings to the wood beneath our feet.
“Because I wasn’t coming alone,” I told her. “Plus, you look amazing.”
She grinned uncomfortably as we entered the ballroom’s main area. I was welcomed with open arms, and Kwamé was quickly emersed in a few men’s attention. It didn’t last long. Within seconds, Adrian appeared and shot the men a look. I bounced my gaze between my brother and Kwamé, whose face frowned up at Adrian.
“Where’s my baby?” Adrian questioned.
Confused, Kwamé threw back, “Who?”
Adrian clicked his teeth. “I know you didn’t leave Jessie wit’ strangers.”
I cackled, but Kwamé rolled her eyes. “Listen to yourself, lil’ crazy. Why would I leave my baby with strangers?”
“She ain’t here. Where the fuck you goin’ wit’ that tight ass shit on?” he switched the subject and asked Kwamé.
Amused, I shook my head. Leaving Kwamé to field questions from Adrian, I started my way around the ballroom to speak. Dr. Cartright spotted me coming his way and smiled. The sprinkling of gray in his beard was funny, considering he wasn’t even thirty years old.
“Hey, Doc,” I spoke to him and hugged him.
“Hey, my girl. How you feelin’?” he asked.
“Better.”
“Glad to hear that,” he replied. “Can’t wait until you’re back in the office. You know that shit can’t work well without you.”
Chuckling, I said, “Oh, I know.” Just then, I caught Coco glaring at me, prompting me and Dr. Cartright to laugh.
Amused, Dr. Cartright mumbled, “Uh, oh.”
Coco snatched me away from Dr. Cartright and hissed, “You were supposed to be doing something about that.”
“Thatwhat?” I questioned.
She motioned towards the bar where Antonias and Katrelle were. My heart stumbled in my chest.
“That!” Coco barked lowly.
“Oh... Uh.”
Antonias looked devastatingly handsome. He’d shaved for the first time in two-and-a-half weeks but kept his curly locks untouched. Wearing a deep wine-colored tuxedo and fitted in ice, Antonias looked like a king. He knew that was my favorite color, and a part of me wondered if he chose that tuxedo on purpose. Without even trying, our outfit colors matched to a T. Then, he smiled at something Katrelle said, lighting up his dark features.
I hadn’t seen him since yesterday and it took all I could not to visualize him with Katrelle. I swore to myself I wasn’t doing that shit again, and there I was last night, fitfully sleeping because he was with his woman instead of me.
“About that,” I started, “Antonias and I are better off as we are.”
Coco’s eyes bucked. “I know you fuckin’ lyin’!” she spat. “You were just about to shit yourself when he proposed.”
Chuckling, I said, “I know. However, I’m okay with my decision.”
My sister-in-law looked like she wanted to jab me in the eyes. “Whatever,” she mumbled.
Thankfully, Adir came and whisked his wife away. As for me, I mentally reset, took a deep breath, and made my way around the ballroom. Intentionally, I waited to speak to Antonias last as if I wasn’t living under his roof.
Over Katrelle’s shoulder, Antonias’s eyes cascaded up and down my body. He licked his lips, prompting me to break eye contact. I felt hot all over and if I wasn’t careful, I’d melt right into the floor.
