At the venue, Kas stood in front of Onyx, helping him fix his tie. The coordinator had come by a few moments prior and let them know they had about fifteen minutes until go time. The wedding party was being lined up, and Kas soon needed to go out as well.
“You nervous, nigga?”
“Hell nah, fuck I look like being nervous? Baby stuck with a nigga regardless, this just a formality.”
“An expensive ass formality.”
“Fuck yea. But shit, once we start renting this venue out, we’ll make a lot of that money back. How you feeling, though? You sure you good?”
“I’m straight. I’ve been at about 90% for like two weeks.”
“Good, but still, let somebody know if you start feeling bad.”
“Nigga, I said I’mma be straight.”
“Ight, come on, let’s get this shit over with so I can get my wife alone and start trying to make us a lil’ girl.”
“Damn nigga, Kian can barely formulate a full sentence yet. Troi Baby coochie probably ain’t back to regular size and you talking ‘bout another one.”
“Kas, I’ll knock yo ass out if you ever mention my wife pussy again.”
“Shit, I’m just saying. Better make sure she---” Kas’ words faltered as his attention was drawn to the door being opened. It was like his body and mind were frozen in time, and he couldn’t will himself to move.
Following his brother’s line of vision, Onyx’s eyes lit up when he noticed Yanna walking into the room. “Yanna!”
“Nyx, I missed you!” Yanna held up her dress, jogging to close the space between her and Onyx. Onyx gripped her so tight, he lifted her from the ground.
“I missed yo’ ass too, man. Look at you, you got hair.” Onyx observed, smoothing his hand over Yanna’s bob. The wedding hairstylist put a jet black rinse in Yanna’s hair, gave her a silk press and added a few tracks. The look not only made Yanna’s facial features stand out but made her look a little more mature at the same time.
“Yea, it look good, huh?”
“It does.” Onyx smiled, elated that Yanna seemed to be doing well. He’d spoken to her once since the night in the hospital and knew she’d reconnected with her father.
Yanna could feel the heat on the side of her face from Kas’ staring. She was trying so hard not to look at him but knew it would be weird and she’d come off as petty if she didn’t acknowledge him. As soon as her eyes connected with his, she wished they hadn’t. Her brain and mouth forgot how to work together, and she fought to get her words out.
“K-Kas, hey.”
“Hey,” Kas responded simply. His eyes roamed her, noting the subtle changes in her face and body.
Noticing the awkwardness, Onyx tried to ease the situation. “Oh, Yanna, tell them we about to come out now.”
“Oh, yea, about that,” Yanna stated nervously, finally remembering why she’d gone into the room.
“Ah shit, Troi Baby done ran off on you.”
“She know better…right?” Onyx asked Yanna, not liking the look on her face.
“Well… not yet.”
“Fuck you mean, not yet?!”
“Calm down. She’s in the other room, but she said she not marrying you until you make up with Ms. Layla. Because one of the reasons she fell in love with you was the way you treated your mumma. She won’t feel right reciting vows to you knowing there’s discord in the family,” she repeated Troi’s words verbatim.
“What the fuck? Aye, Onyx, you want me to go yoke her ass up right quick? She tripping.”
“Kas, please. Damn, Troi, don’t she know it’s bad luck for me to see her and shit?”
“She don’t believe in luck, but just to be on the safe side, she’s hidden.”
