The barber Arnold hired for the ceremony comes to the groom’s parlor to clean up all of our cuts and beards. Marquise stops by to give us all cigars, which we enjoy before suiting up.
“Arnold, I don’t mean to show you up on your own wedding day, but I am killing this suit, my boy,” Christian says, observing himself in the full-length mirror. Our suits are a hunter green color with mock-neck collars and orange boutonnieres.
“Stupid ass,” Micah mocks.
“Yeah, yeah, you can have all the attention today. There’s only one person I’m checking for.” Arnold waves him off.
The head of the security team that Arnold hired for the ceremony pops up to tell Arnold the team completed another perimeter check so we’re good to take our places on the beach.
“Hey, Rome, hold up a second,” Arnold calls after me.
He waits until Micah and Christian leave the room to speak. “I just wanted to say thanks. I needed to get my head out of my ass, and you helped with that.”
“Always happy to let you know when you’re being an idiot, my guy.”
He chortles at that, adjusting his sleeves on both sides. “I bet. How’s Janelle doing? I haven’t had a chance to apologize to her yet, and I wasn’t sure if stopping by her room was a good move.”
“Probably not. She’s good, though. As good as she can be considering.”
He nods. “Do you think she and Ri will ever make up?”
“That’s not for either of us to try to predict. They have to figure it out on their own and all parties need to accept the outcome, whatever it may be.”
He studies me closely, his eyes squinting in concentration. “You really care about her, don’t you?”
“I do,” I offer.
He steps beside me, patting me on the back to guide me out. “I couldn’t think of a better man for her.”
The beach area has been transformed into a beautiful stage. A giant dark wood makeshift floor has been set up with rows of oak benches facing the platform where the ceremony will take place. A path branches off leading to the restaurants so that guests won’t have to walk in the sand to get to the reception.
Behind the stage is a row of palm trees and at the edge of it is an archway covered in ivy along with white, brown, tan, and pale pink flowers.
I take my place beside Arnold and wait for the ceremony to start. The music begins and Evie is the first one down the aisle, waving to a few people as she does. Dani is next, owning the aisle like she’s back on the runway.
I expect the music to change for Amerie’s entrance, but it keeps going and Janelle steps onto the platform. She looks absolutely stunning. The sun is hitting her at just the right angle, making the bright orange of the wrap dress she’s wearing accentuate her brown skin. Her braids fall against her bare shoulders in a half-up, half-down style that highlights the column of her neck and the deep slit of her dress demands attention as her thigh keeps playing peek-a-boo with me.
Her eyes never leave mine as she walks down the aisle, sending me a small wave that I return with a brilliant smile.
The song changes to “For You” by Kenny Lattimore and I’m sure Amerie looks beautiful in her wedding dress. I hear Arnold suck back a few tears so I offer him a comforting hand on the shoulder, but my focus is squarely on Janelle. I mouth “you look beautiful” to her and she tips her head slightly. I only look away once Amerie takes her place in front of Arnold.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” the officiant announces at the end of the ceremony. Arnold grabs the sides of Amerie’s face and kisses her passionately, prompting a loud round of applause from the audience. They hold their joined hands up to everyone and then walk down the aisle to get ready for the reception.
Janelle and I link arms and walk down the aisle after them. “So, what changed your mind?” I whisper.
She takes a moment to consider her answer. “Honestly, I did it for me. I still have hope that Ri and I will find our way back to each other. And if we do, I don’t want to look back and have regrets about not going to her wedding. She only gets one, we hope,” she laughs.
Satisfaction rolls over me at the fact that she’s here for herself more than anything. She’s earned the right to make decisions that serve her and only her.
“Well then, I’m glad you’re here. One of Arnold’s aunts gets really handsy when she’s drunk so now, I can have you fight her off for me.”
“Aww, that’s so romantic,” she taunts.
I drop a kiss on her forehead and lead her to the reception area.
The reception has gone well so far. The food is delicious and everyone is having a great time. Janelle’s mom has kept her distance, I have a feeling at the urge of her husband, and Amerie has been busy mingling. She and Janelle did exchange a hug, however, when she came to our table.
After dinner, it’s time for the toasts and Janelle opts to go first. The emcee introduces her and she takes the mic, standing by the DJ stand.
