The last curl was placed in my head, falling down my shoulders perfectly. Sage ran a wide-toothed comb through my curls to loosen them before fluffing my hair out.
“Perfect,” she said.
Sage was one of the best stylists I had met, and I was happy she was becoming part of the family since she and Preach had started dating. When she removed the cape from around me, I got up, gave her a hug, and headed to the girls who were eagerly waiting for me.
“Girl, come on. We’re late,” Morgan said.
I rushed to the door, ready to swing it open, when Paige came forward. “I got it, princess.” She winked.
A wide smile eased on my face. Dio said he wanted to throw a dinner party for me because I was leaving soon. It was hard for me to break it down to Chevy and Zaria. Although I knew they wanted to say hell no, they gave me their blessing, but not before Chevy gave me a long speech on how he would kill somebody if something happened to me.
I almost questioned this because the last time Dio said we weregoing on a date, it ended in bloodshed. However, when Harvey, Sage, and Yana said they were pampering me for the dinner, I knew they weren’t lying. Zaria had gotten me a beautiful orange dress made. It was a satin mermaid style that crossed around the chest, was open around my belly, was tight around my hips and waist, and had a high side split. My undergarments were simple. An orange lace strapless bra with lace thong-style panties.
It was cool having everyone come to Covana. However, I wasn’t sure where we were having dinner because the town was so small. Paige drove as I kept looking in the mirror and checking my makeup.
“Wait!” I shouted.
Alyse, Paige, Morgan, and even Phoebe stared at me. “What?” they shouted.
“I’m scared. I- I don’t want to leave Dio. I—”
Morgan rolled her eyes. “Samara, respectfully, shut up. Sit back and ride. We’re going to have a fun party to celebrate you and move on.”
Alyse shouted. “This is to new beginnings!”
Paige hit a sharp turn into the parking lot of a yacht dock. Everyone got out and went toward the beautiful black yacht except Paige. She helped me by carrying the bottom part of my dress.
“This feels like a wedding, and Dio and I haven’t talked about that yet,” I said as we walked up the dock.
“Today is about you, not a wedding. Let’s enjoy,” she said.
Once we were near the yacht, she released the bottom of my dress and got on, leaving me there. Moments later, Chevy came out and halted when he saw me. His lips slowly curled up as he nodded.
You look beautiful. This dress is kind of—”
I laughed before I became serious. “Dad,” I paused.
I hadn’t really addressed Chevy or Zaria as mom or dad, but in this moment, I felt like it was needed. I watched as his face changed. It softened a bit, so I continued. “Dad, I want to thank you foreverything. Since the day I stepped into Toussaint and met you, you’ve been my biggest advocate. You’ve done things for me that I prayed for so many times and never thought I would see. Age means nothing to me because in my eyes, you are my father. I love you, Chevy. When I take this summer trip, I am coming back. I would never leave you, Zaria, or my brothers. I am a Calloway.”
He nodded with tight lips as he tried not to get emotional. He flicked his nose. “You are a special girl, one I’m happy to have my last name. We needed each other, and God’s timing was perfect. It’s your time to shine. Your time to be welcomed to the jungle and declare your seat. Samara, you are perfection.” He winked. “You look beautiful. Come on,” he said, holding his hand out.
Before taking his hand, I needed to know something. “Shantel,” I paused. “My mother, what are—”
Something flicked in his eyes. “You let me worry about that. Remember what I told you. It will be handled.”
I trusted him and decided to let the chips fall where they fall. I took his hand as he helped me onto the yacht. When I turned to go inside the large cabin, the tears were instant.
“Hail to the princess!” they shouted.
More tears. The entire space was dark, intimate, filled with orange flowers and candles. Dio stood at the front in a black suit, looking good as hell. He slowly rocked back and forth as his head nodded. Chevy walked me to him, and the closer I got, the more I cried. The violin played, carrying the sweet tune of love. When I spotted the big sign that stood behind Dio, butterflies had an escapade in my belly. Dio took my hand and gazed at me. He bit his bottom lip as he tried to hold back his tears.
“Damn, gang. You got me crying,” he said as he caught a falling tear.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek while trying to keep my shit together. That was when he got on one knee and gazed up at me.
“Shit, what can I say? Here we are. I knew I would never find a love like this in this lifetime. I know we’re both young, but you are my choice. It doesn’t matter about the arguments, the time lost. At the end of it, I choose you. From New York to Toussaint, you’re still here. Mars, you are my fucking star, my heart, my world, my gang. You know what I will do for you, no matter where you are. I love you more than you’ll ever know.” He paused.
My tears landed on his hand and face as he continued. “You are my peace, my savior, and my best fucking friend. Samara Calloway, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
