Page 11 of Allure

“What kind of question is that to ask? Aren’t you getting married today?” she asked.

I looked between them and they all held the same expression of annoyance. I held back my smile because it made me feel good to know they had my back, even though they didn’t fully support it. I nodded, then made my way for the stairs, leaving her question unanswered. I hopped in the shower, making sure I was cleaner than I had ever been. I wanted to make the best first impression.

It wasn’t like I didn’t usually keep up with myself, but this moment was different. I was meeting the woman I would spend the rest of my life with. I had gotten my hair re-twisted and an edge up. I threw on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt with a matching jacket to the sweats, then slipped on my sneakers before grabbing my suit garment bag, the gift I got my wife and anything else I knew I would need to be right.

I made my way downstairs and my sister let me know the limo was outside and it had just gotten there. I nodded as my brother walked out of my kitchen with a bag of popcorn and a bottle of water.

“Why are you always over here eating shit? You couldn’t eat before you got here?” I asked.

“I had a late night, and now I need to replenish. Your big head ass sister woke me up, rushing me to come over here early. I planned to come to the wedding, but not your house. Yo’ ass wasn’t even ready when we got here, so be glad I didn’t get a nap in too.”

I waved him off because there was no use going back and forth with Kole.

“Aight, y’all ready?” I asked.

“Absolutely. The question is, are you ready?” Alexis asked.

I knew what she was asking without her needing to say the words.

“I’m more than ready. If you hold any doubt, Lex, stay here, man,” I told her.

She held her hands up in mock surrender.

“I’m behind you. If you’re sure, then I am happy for you and will support you with your new wife. Let’s go get you married, baby brother,” she said.

Alexis leaned forward and flicked my dreads before walking around me and heading for the front door. Matthew gripped my shoulder with a smile and followed her out. Kole walked over and gave me a pound before following them out.

I followed them and stopped at my front door. I glanced back inside of my bachelor pad, taking in the fact that the next time I came back, I would be a husband. I smiled and closed the past behind me.

My family got in the car they came in so they would have a way home afterward and I rode in the limo up to the venue space Arranged Hearts provided. They laid out the red carpet for us and I couldn’t be more appreciative. Shit, how they threw a wedding and reception together in just a couple of days would always be shocking to me.

The ride over to the venue wasn’t long, or at least it didn’t feel that way to me. I had been going over some of the questions I would ask her when we got the chance to be alone. I knew I was overthinking this shit, but I think that comes with the territory when you do something like this unconventionally.

Cars were being waved into the parking lot, which shocked me because I hadn’t told many people. So, I figured it was my wife’s side of the family piling into the parking lot. The limo took me over to the groom's entrance, I guess to make sure this was truly a first look for my wife and me.

I walked through the side entrance and Kole was jogging lightly around the building to follow me inside. The moment we stepped inside, Joy stood off to the side with one of her assistants. She had the biggest smile on her face as she reached out to hug me.

“Hi, I’m Joy the matchmaker.” She introduced herself to Kole.

Kole was practically sopping this woman up with a biscuit, so I spoke up for him.

“Joy, this is my older brother, Kole, my sister, Alexis, and her husband should be trying to find their way over here now,” I said.

Joy smiled knowingly and waved.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kole,” she said, reaching a hand out to shake his.

This man reached out and shook her hand a tad bit too long if you asked me. She giggled while sliding her hand from his. This man was acting like he didn’t see that big ass ring on her finger. She cleared her throat and looked back in my direction.

“How are you feeling this morning? Nervous?” she asked.

“Overthinking is more like it. I just want today to be special for her.”

She nodded with a smile and clasped her hands in front of herself.

“That’s normal with this process, but let me get you out of this hallway so you can get changed. Your bride has a little something for you in the room,” she said.

I lifted a brow because I thought I would be the only one handing out gifts, but I guess I was wrong.

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