Page 9 of Embrace

Tears pooled in my eyes which caused me to look away. “Blaze…”

“I’m serious. The man you marry will be lucky to call you his wife.”

“And the woman you marry will be blessed with an amazing husband. No matter what, I am so glad to have you in my life.”

Blaze pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“Ready?” Mama asked. Her voice brought me back to the present. She slid a stray piece of hair behind my ear and smiled.

“Please keep the waterworks, Ma! You know if I see you tearing up, I’ma cry too!” My red lip poked out into a pout.

“Both of y’all keep it together! Dad is waiting! C’mon, wife-to-be! Let’s go meet your husband!” Mari cheered.

We filed out of the room with my mother leading the way. We lined up at the entrance, and my father met me outside the doors to the area where the congregation awaited my presence.

Morris Summers was the first man to ever spoil me. As my father, he didn’t know how to say ‘no’. At sixty-three, his low cut fade had hints of peppered gray with a beard the same color.

Mari and I took after our mother with appearance and height. Our father stretched up to about six feet and two inches in height while the women in his life were much shorter.

“Daddy, please don’t cry.” I sniffled as I looked away from his glossy eyes.

He cleared his throat before he wiped away a fallen tear. “You look so beautiful. I’ve never seen you look this stunning, Susu.”

My lip quivered as an emotional burn rested in the base of my throat. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“Are you ready?” he asked as he offered me his arm.

With a short nod, I looped my arm with his and the doors to the venue pulled open. From my position at the entrance, I could see the beautiful décor. Red and cream roses adorned the rows of seats. A beautiful floral arch with starry lights sculpted the altar. The aisle was decorated with fallen rose petals. Twinkling lights dangled from the ceiling which created a magical experience. The view felt like it’d come straight out of a movie.

The speakers began to play “Fall for You” by Leela James.

“Before I take another step, would you catch me if I fall for you?” Leela James’s soulful voice sang through the audio as me and Daddy took the first step down the aisle. Everyone stood and looked at us, but my eyes were locked on the man waiting with his back to me at the altar.

Blaze.

It hit me immediately because all of his angles were permanently branded in my mind. Not to mention, I’d been present when he got the suit. I looked around again, but this time I took a closer examination of the faces in the seats. Sure enough, his family were all seated in the assigned rows.

“Oh my goodness,” I whispered in disbelief. A burning sensation tickled the back of my throat as my eyes watered. Blaze was the man I was supposed to marry. He was my perfect match… It didn’t seem real. Despite the shock, my soul felt at peace with the reveal. It was as if I’d known all along he would be the one—my one.

“Didn’t expect to see Blaze, huh?” Daddy asked in a low voice as we continued our strides to the altar.

“Not at all…”

The music faded as my father gave me away and took his seat beside my mother. When Blaze turned to me, his eyes widened in shock, just as mine had. Who would have thought we’d be each other’s perfect match? My best friend, my homie, and my personal bodyguard would soon become my husband… It felt surreal.

“Suvi, you’re my match?”

“Yup. Are you okay with that?” The question caught us both off guard. If he had any reservations, I provided him an outlet to run for the hills.

“I knew you were my soulmate. Nobody gets me like you do,” he stated with a wide grin.

I couldn’t help but smile. We’d always joked about the idea of dating and marriage, but today would make those jokes a reality. The thought made butterflies swarm my belly.

What if we didn’t work out? What if we realize we’re better off as friends? How could I live my life without my best friend?

Blaze’s hands gripped mine, bringing me out of my internal turmoil. I blinked to clear my vision and focused on the man standing in front of me. His gaze was intense, as if he’d been in a similar thought bubble.

“The groom has chosen to say his own vows,” the minister explained.

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