Bobbing her head, she confessed, “I’ve never been more ready for something in my life.”
He held her shoulders and gazed deeply into her eyes. “This is forever for me. I don't want nobody else. Just you. I’m so sure about this shit that I’m not even making you sign a prenup. I’m going all in, and I need to know if you're on the same type of time.”
Irish was overwhelmed as she swallowed hard. Noble had put all of his chips on the table. He was taking a gamble on their love. She appreciated his efforts and made a vow to take the risk as well.
“I’m all in. You know that.”
A crooked grin graced his lips. “A’ight, ain't no going back. If you don't want this, walk away now ‘cause I’m not letting you goever.”
This would’ve been a great time for Irish to back away from the table. They’d started off wrong by sneaking and withholding their feelings from the world. Irish had played with her first marriage and suffered greatly from Jovanis’ death. These should've been red flags but Irish was in too deep. She had been infected with a man called Noble and unashamedly, she didn’t want to cure it.
“I want this. I’m ready to be Mrs. St. Anthony.”
He nodded, licking his lips. “Come on. Let’s go get married.”
Watching Noble and Irish become one caused Cali to encounter a flood of emotions. She was so overjoyed for them as they each repeatedI do’s. Everything about the scenic view provided the perfect setting for lovers. They were a match that only God could take praise for. Their love was inspiring and authentically theirs.
Cali glanced at Ivory, who dabbed her wet eyes with tissues. “You owe me.”
Ivory bumped her shoulder. “You knew I would cry first.”
Cali chuckled lowly and tuned back into Irish and Noble. They exchanged rings, making Cali revert to her memory. Witnessing this took her back to when she and Rio had married. It was a big production with flowers flown in from California anda dress that came equipped with a ten-foot train. Sadly, the love had been missing.
Now, it was ever so present. Bitterly, Cali wanted a cure. She desired to make a clean break from Rio so she could fully move on. Even knowing he had gotten Rozalin pregnant made her nauseous. That reality had sourly kept her up the night before. Pondering how he’d be permanently bonded to Rozalin caused her stomach to churn. Their future was no more and the past was littered with their failures. Moving on was for the best.
Fuck, Cali, get your shit together.
A tear fell rapidly, prompting her to swipe it away. One would think she was crying on behalf of Irish but that was a tear of agony. It was one last drop before she truly made strides to rid her mind and heart of Rio. It would take much perseverance but Cali was determined to suppress the love that wouldn’t go away.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. Sir, you may kiss your bride.”
“Woo!” Ivory yelled, breaking Cali out of her feelings.
Swiftly, she hopped up and started clapping. The boys jumped up and down as Noble consumed Irish with no regard for them.
“He about to have her walking funny tonight,” Cali joked.
Ivory snickered while holding her chest. “You did not have to say that.”
After their kiss, Noble and Irish walked down the beach with the boys following them. Cali and Ivory trailed behind, heading to the car so they could go to dinner.
“Hold on,” Cali requested when her phone vibrated. There was this feeling as she stared at the unknown number that it could be Rio. Did she want to answer and upset herself?Or should she continue on with celebrating her best friend’s wedding night?
“Um, go ‘head, I’ll catch up with y’all in a second.”
Ivory nodded and headed down the beach.
Cali inhaled a deep breath before answering the call. “Hello?”
“Damn you got me going to buy prepaid phones ‘cause you keep blocking me,” Rio complained.
She expelled a breath. “What do you want?”
“Listen.” The bass in his voice made her tune in. “Don't believe what Rozalin posted. I don't have nobody pregnant.”
“Good for you. Now is that it?” Cali was so annoyed that she’d revealed how bothered she was by that sonogram.
“No, that’s not it… Don't let this shit mess up the understanding we had, Calia. I don't wanna fight with you. I just… I’m not your opp. I know I used her to get my lick back but I wouldn’t go that far by getting her pregnant.”
