Page 83 of Maceo

I giggled. “No babies just yet, Auntie. I’m just ready to be his wife.”

That was a half-truth.

Throwing together a whole wedding on such short notice didn’t blow over well with the family at first, but they got on board once they saw we weren’t changing our minds. It was no easy feat. Thankfully, Salima had contracts with some of the best vendors in the city. Being Deuce’s wife gave her a little status with the community off the strength of his family’s philanthropy efforts.

We were blessed that everything came together without a hitch. The most stressful part was finding my dress. I thought back to the day we’d gone dress shopping. I’d already woken up feeling a little dreadful about not finding one, and that negative attitude carried over into the dress shop.

“No, this isn’t it,” I said, looking in the mirror.

The group groaned. With me was my mother, Aunt Karen, Maceo’s mother, Salima, Mia, and Jaeda. I’d tried on twelve dresses and had yet to find the one that spoke to my heart.

I stomped my foot in a bratty manner. “I’m never going to find it,” I whined.

“Nobody told you and Maceo to rush this wedding,” Mia stated, plucking at her nails.

Jaeda nudged her. “Shut up.”

“What! She knows they rushed this shit.”

“Mia, you can go,” I said with a voice full of aggravation. “I’m already frustrated, and I don’t need this shit right now.”

“I’m just saying?—”

“Just stop,” Salima said. “Rushed or not, it’s her wedding, and she deserves to find the dress of her dreams.”

“Everybody, just calm down,” my mother said, standing.

She stepped up to the stage and reached for my hand. I slipped her my palm and allowed her to pull me off stage. Without a word, she led me to the back and helped me out of the current dress. I slipped into the complimentary robe, and she led me back out to the showroom floor to the selection of dresses.

“Close your eyes, baby.”

“Mommy—”

“Sharina. The problem isn’t finding a dress. There are hundreds of beautiful dresses out there. You’re having a hard time because you’re just looking at them without an idea. The right dress doesn’t just pop out at you, baby. You have to have some notion of what you’re looking for. Otherwise, you are wasting your time. Now, close your eyes.”

I sighed and did as she said.

“Now, I want you to picture yourself in your ideal wedding dress. The cut and style. The length. How do you want to feelwhen you’re wearing it? How do you want Maceo to feel when he sees you walking down the aisle?”

I tried my hardest to picture the dress. I knew I wanted a sweetheart or V-cut neckline, something classy yet sexy, and some sort of texture. I knew I wanted to feel confident and beautiful as I made my way to my man. In addition, I wanted something that would make Maceo’s mouth drop and his eyes water at the sight of me.

“Do you see it?” my mother asked.

“Yes.”

“Good. Now open your eyes and go find it.”

I opened my eyes and slowly made my way through the store as she followed behind me. A good ten minutes passed before I stopped in my tracks at the sight of the most beautiful, perfect dress that had to have been made just for me. It was a floor-length, vintage mermaid gown that was covered in lace sequin. The V-cut neckline showed just the right amount of cleavage to be sexy yet tasteful. The sleeve had a beautiful and elegant lace design that flowed over my hands.

It was simply beautiful.

I quickly snatched it off the rack and turned to show my mother.

“This is it,” I declared. “This is the one.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get you in it.”

She didn’t have to tell me twice. I damn near sprinted to the dressing room. After hanging the dress up, I snatched off the robe. My mother helped me get into the dress, and as she was zipping it up, I felt the tears forming in my eyes. She smiled as she pulled my hair aside.

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