Page 61 of D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding

“Nothing. These are good tears.” Mostly. Technically.

Tilting her head to the side, Kris eyed me. “You sure?”

“I know that’s right!” yelled Niesha, punctuating each word with a loud snap, a wide grin on her face. “You better check on your woman!”

Kris didn’t even crack a smile as she stared at me, waiting for an answer to her question.

“I’m fine. Better than fine, in fact. I’m good; really good. Lo prometo.”

At my Spanish, she offered me the small grin that I’d been aiming for. Slowly, I watched as she visibly relaxed, her jaw loosening and the lines of her shoulders softening. Before she released me, she leaned in and kissed me softly, not even caring that my mama and sister were right there watching us. When she ended the kiss, she took a step back and allowed her eyes to take a journey, roving me from head to toe.

“You look beautiful, mi amor.”

I started to bite my lip, but the way she immediately narrowed her eyes made me stop, a giggle bursting from my lips.

“Thank you, baby,” I responded softly.

The dress was nice, though it wasn’t my favorite—but from the way Kris licked her lips as she eyed me, I felt like I was dressed in a gown fit for Cinderella after her fairy godmother got a hold of her. We weren’t alone, but suddenly the moment felt incredibly intimate. The expression on her face, the heat in her eyes, my body’s response. It all felt like a private moment that no one else should have been witnessing.

“Well, shoot,” breathed Niesha. “Suddenly, I’m feeling a little voyeuristic.”

“Oh my gosh!” I squeaked, covering my face with my hands.

Mama chuckled, and I fought to ignore how thick and wet the sound was as she walked over to swat at Niesha’s arm.

“Cut it out! You’re embarrassing your sister.”

Kris flicked her gaze over to Mama and came back to me. The questions were front and center, and I shook my head.

“Later.”

She stared at me for a moment and I thought she would press the issue, but then she nodded, and I released a breath grateful for the reprieve.

“I’mma hold you to that.”

Her voice was light, but for some reason those words held a sense of foreboding that hit me in the gut.

Jitter Cam 07-D’Vaughn

Seeing myself in those dresses really made this thing seem real. Like...wow! I mean, sure I know that I really have a fake fiancée and we’re getting fake married, but standing on that pedestal and looking in that three-way mirror? Wearing a white wedding gown and veil? It just hit me in the chest.

I’ve always wanted to get married. My exes might not believe that—since I always refused to come out—but being somebody’s wife has been on my vision board for the past ten years. One day I want to be that friend that is so obnoxious with her sickeningly sweet marriage. The girl who’s always unnecessarily using her left hand for everything, or saying ‘Ooh, I don’t know. Lemme ask my wife about that.’

So, when I saw myself in those gowns, it felt like...I don’t know. Kismet, maybe? Like, even though this is as real as K. Michelle’s butt, it just felt right. Don’t look at me like that, Kevin. You know I see your tall self back there. I know it sounds crazy, hell, it is crazy, but it felt like I was doing the right thing. I’m on the right path for my life.

And when that feeling hit me, it was so...great, so magnificent that I started to cry. I couldn’t help it; but Mama thought I was crying for a whole other reason, which made her emotional as well and then I felt guilty for deceiving her like this. But then I wondered if I should even feel guilty if I’m doing the right thing.

Oh gosh! Speaking of feeling guilty; I cannot believe that Tanisha stopped by! Seeing her was the shocker of a lifetime, but her behavior wasn’t at all.

And...uh, about that.

I’m so used to pretending not to notice those little instances—you know, the touches and looks—when I’m around my mama that I played it off immediately, but the truth is that Tanisha was absolutely flirting with me! I’m not even surprised that Mama and Niesha picked up on that because apparently Tanisha wouldn’t know the word subtle if it stood under a spotlight and tap-danced in front of her.

Kevin, stop looking at me like that. I’m 100% certain you’re supposed to be an unbiased party. Make sure you don’t edit this part out so they can hear how you’re talking to me. He sounds like my daddy, y’all.

I didn’t even say anything! OH EM GEE! I was not leading her on! I’m not a cheater! Yes, it would be cheating because—fake or not—everyone who matters to me thinks that I’m engaged right now. The respect they have for me matters. Maybe it shouldn’t. Maybe I shouldn’t care about other people’s opinions of me, but that’s not who I am. These are my family. My church family. My friends. I’ve known them my entire life, and when this is over, they’ll still be there. It’s bad enough that this will make them question any future relationship and woman that I bring around. I don’t want them to have doubts about my fidelity on top of that. I mean, who in their right mind would cheat on Kris?

Kevin! You’re fired! Why would you ask me that? Of course I like Kris! That’s not a question. I’m not discussing my feelings for her with you. I said I like her, that’s enough. Anyways, I hope we make it to the final week because I’d really love to see her in a tux. I know she’s gonna look—mm!