Page 42 of The Plus One

“What if we had gotten married?”

Ace looked at me. “I would’ve stood beside that nigga and watched him marry the woman I wanted.”

Something tightened in my chest. “And you would’ve been okay with that?”

“Hell nah. But I would’ve dealt with it.”

A knock at the door saved me from having to respond. “Room service.”

Ace climbed out of bed and returned with the cart. We ate while watching a movie neither of us paid much attention to. By the time it ended, I was lying against him with my head on his chest and his fingers moving slowly along my back. “You want me to move?” he asked.

I should’ve said yes. Instead, I wrapped my arm around his waist. “No.”

Ace pulled me closer. Sex with him was easy. We were attracted to each other and I did like him. But everything we were doing this week was becoming a lot. We were sharing a bed, and pretending to be together for a week. This was becoming a lot. I knew we were crossing lines that would either ruin me or him.

Lying in his arms while he rubbed my back and squeezed my ass every once and a while I felt like this could be something I could do for the rest of my life. And I never had this feeling with anybody else. The crazy part was I was okay with that.

Nine

Kema

The next day, we had a few things on our agenda. Sierra told me she had scheduled an excursion, so I figured we were getting on a party boat or going horseback riding. Boy, was I wrong. And now I was going to have to kill her. “You said excursion.”

Sierra adjusted the strap on her helmet. “This is an excursion.”

“No. An excursion is getting on a cute little boat, drinking margaritas, and looking at dolphins. This is attempted murder with a waiver.”

She laughed. “Girl, stop being dramatic.”

“I just signed something saying if I die, it’s basically my fault.”

“Because it is.” I stared at my best friend. This bitch was crazy.

The wedding party had been driven almost an hour away from the resort for what Sierra called a fun adventure day. What she conveniently left out was that her definition of fun involved four-wheelers, mud, and jumping off the side of a fucking cliff.

Everybody looked excited. Even Tiana’s ass. Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out if my travel insurance covered stupid decisions. Who would bury me if I died? I don’t have family. It’s just me. Lord, I’m finna die.

“You good?” I turned toward Ace. He walked over with his helmet tucked underneath his arm, looking good as fuck. If I was going to die at least his good dick ass would come with me. We could fuck on the other side.

“I was until Sierra decided we needed to risk our lives hours before her rehearsal dinner.”

Ace laughed, “Girl you ass ain't finna die.”

“You don’t know that.”

“We riding four-wheelers, Kema.”

“And we cliff jumping. I love how you didn’t include that.” He stared at me before busting out laughing. “It’s not funny.”

“You scared?”

“I am. Ace, I don’t have family. If I die who goin' to bury me?”

“Kema, I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

“How are you going to protect me?”

"Shit I’ll go to war with God to bring you back if something happened.”