Page 7 of Allure

“I think you heard me very clearly. I am getting married on Saturday. I would love it if you came, but if you don’t, it won’t bother me. I only want people in attendance if they’re there to pray positivity over it. If not, stay home.” I instructed everyone at the table.

My dad looked down at my mother. “Olivia, it’s time to go now.”

He didn’t wait a moment before storming out of the dining room. My mother gave me an apologetic look as she hugged me and whispered in my ear.

“Congratulations, honey. I’ll talk to him,” she said before pulling back to follow my father out of the house.

Matthew and Kole were still eating like nothing had happened. All the while, Alexis gave me the I told you so stare. But I didn’t give a fuck. I meant what I said, and it went for every one of them. If they weren’t there because they wanted to support me, they could stay at home. This moment was for my wife and me only.

“Damn, so is she fine?” Kole asked.

Alexis and I looked over in his direction with irritation written all over our faces.

“Shut the fuck up, Kole,” we said at the same time.

I sat back down and continued to finish my dinner. Although this night didn’t go exactly as I had planned, what happened tonight didn’t change the fact that my forever would start on Saturday.

THE CALL

I stood in front of rows of different paintbrushes. I didn’t know why every time I came into this shop, I pretended like I was open to any brand besides Princeton Heritage. I guess I didn’t want to feel too constricted to one thing.

It had been almost a month since I did my interview with Arranged Hearts and I was feeling as if maybe they couldn’t or wouldn’t find my match. But, then, the reasonable part of my brain reminded me that this was more than a boyfriend kind of commitment. I wanted them to take all the time necessary to find the right man for me.

“Lore, if you don’t hurry and grab the brushes you always get. We don’t have all day, girl. My stomach is growling and you know Lemon’s will be packed soon,” Mahalia announced behind me.

I rolled my eyes with a smile, ready to grab my usual, when my phone rang with my signature ringtone: “On My Mama” by Victoria Monet.

“Girl, can you answer that? You got everyone in this store staring at us,” Mahalia said with a closed smile.

I laughed and answered the phone. I didn’t care if the entire world was watching me. I loved this song, so it didn’t change a damn thing for me. According to Mahalia, I was the last person in the world who had a song as their ringtone.

“They’re staring because they want to figure out who has such good music taste,” I told her with a wiggle of my brows.

She waved me off as I focused on my call.

“This is Lore,” I answered.

“Hi, Lore. This is Joy, and it is so nice to hear you’re in such good spirits. But we have good news! We have found your husband.”

My mouth dropped at her declaration. I would have never imagined this was something I would hear over the phone, let alone, ever. Even with the most open upbringing, my parents had a few questions about the process. But, now here I was, ready to step into forever.

“I don’t know what to say. I am lost for words. Is there anything you can tell me about him, or do I go in completely blind? When is the wedding? I feel like I have so many questions,” I told her.

Joy laughed. I was sure she was used to my erratic behavior by now.

“Take a breath for me, Lore.”

I closed my eyes briefly and took her direction. Once I opened them again, Mahalia was standing directly in front of me with a bag filled with the brushes I had come for. I hadn’t realized she had taken them from my hands or that she had walked away. She nodded toward the door, so I followed her out.

“Okay, I’m good now. What’s next, and what do I need to do?” I asked calmly.

“I love to hear it. So, to answer all your previous questions, I’ll start there. No, I will not share any details about him. But trust me when I say, we did that!” she responded, shocking the hell out of me.

I laughed at her use of modern-day terms.

“You didn’t think I knew how to use that, huh?” she asked.

I laughed as Mahalia led me over to a bench so I could focus on the conversation.

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