“Dante is a lot of things. But he seems to be all in with your sister. Literally from their first meeting he had stars in his eyes.”
Anika came bounding toward us. “Did you see us out there? We practiced our first dance for weeks.”
“It was great. I would’ve probably omitted the part where you twerked against him but?—”
“What, you didn’t like that modest display of affection?” Aldridge teased. “That was my favorite part. Well, it’s a tie between that and when he hoisted you in the air like Patrick Swayze in that one movie.”
“That was actually the best part,” I agreed.
“When we practiced the lift I fell a lot. Had to go to the hospital for head trauma but in the end it all came together.” I laughed nervously, hoping she was joking.
The bartender knocked on the bar top signaling my drinks were ready. Grabbing both, I handed them to Anika. “For the bride and groom.”
“Thank you. I’m gonna get so fucking wasted.” She took both drinks to the head. “Alright, I’m going to find my husband.” She cackled flashing her wedding rings before walking off.
“Did she say head trauma?”
Anika found Dante in the crowd of people and their faces lit up, elated to be reunited even though they’d only been apart for minutes.
“Are you okay?”
“I feel like a shitty sister for not taking her and Dante seriously. But when I saw how sincere she was during the vow exchange, it all made sense. This hasn’t been some massive con she actually loves him.”
“He feels the same.”
“It’s like the end of an era. I never thought my sister would settle down and get married.”
“It was a beautiful day.”
“It was. And she’s a beautiful bride. And the wedding was exactly what she wanted, no compromises and that’s what I love about my sister. She’s always going to be unapologetically her authentic self.”
“That’s all anyone can ask for. Now come dance with me.”
After toasts, dinner, and cake cutting, it was time for the garter toss. Dante used his teeth to remove the garter and the moans Anika made were obscene. Upon retrieval, he twirled the garter in his hand before handing the garter to Anika and claiming her bouquet. The two cast devilish grins before heading in Aldridge and my direction. Dante made a big show of handing me the bouquet and Anika, well Anika stuffed her garter in Aldi’s mouth.
“You’re next, my dude,” Dante shouted. Aldridge tried his best to conceal his disgust while removing the garter.
“Are you okay?”
He flicked his tongue like a dog. “Am I gonna have to get shots?”
I hit him playfully with the bouquet.
By midnight I was feeling great and was out on the dance floor with Anika and Jemini shaking our asses to Juvenile “Back That Azz Up.” Even I had to admit we were some bad bitches. We may not always agree, but my sister and mother knew how to have a good time. And Jemini was in heaven because this reception was a smorgasbord of fine eligible men, and she was making the rounds.
Anika tossed her arms over my shoulder, and we slow danced to a bass-heavy XYZ Baby song. “Sissy, thank you so much for being there for me.”
“Of course.”
“I know you didn’t approve, but you stood by me.”
“You deserve the world, and I just needed to make sure Dante was capable of giving that to you.”
“He’s great, he really is.”
“Yep, I’m so very happy for you, and I meant every word in my toast.”
“You do know you’re so next?”
