Page 85 of Before I Say I Don't
“And listen,” she added, voice softening. “If you go and your body says, ‘not tonight,’ drink his tea, lay on his chest, and let that be the blessing. If your body says ‘tonight,’ then baby sis…” She raised her brows. “Pack an exit strategy, a gallon of water, two Advil, a heating pad, wig glue, backup edges, and an excuse for work tomorrow—because you gon’ need all of it.”
I burst out laughing, nearly choking on air. “Girl, you got way too much faith in him. That man better hope he can even keep up with me.”
Danica handed me a tissue, then another gem.
“That part! Last thing, so I can sleep good tonight. Sis, we don’t trade our peace for red flags disguised as love. When you step on that aisle, you’ll be stepping on lies, not faith. And when you speak, the room won’t forget. Swallowing your voice to keep the peace only guarantees you’ll choke on silence later. Stand tall, even if your knees shake. Choose truth, even if it costs you comfort. Because the moment you honor yourself, you stop living in someone else’s shadow—and that’s where your real freedom begins.
Her words sank into me like stones tossed into water, rippling deep.
Before I could respond, my phone vibrated again.
Roman: If tonight, I’ll be up. No pressure. I just wanted to give you a space to breathe if you need it.
I smiled.
Danica leaned over and tapped the screen with one manicured nail. “Go get your oxygen,” she ordered, eyes soft but insistent.
I stood, heart lighter than it had been in days. “You’re right.”
“I usually am,” she replied smugly, then swatted my hip like we were teenagers again. “Now go get ready! I’ll clean up! And don’t let me hear you dragging your feet!”
I rushed into her arms, burying my face against her shoulder. “Thank you, sis. You’re the best.”
Danica squeezed me tight, rocking me side to side. “Always. That’s what I’m here for. Blood doesn’t make our bond strong—loyalty does. I got you in every lifetime, and don’t youeverforget it.”
When she finally let go, her eyes were shiny, but her grin stayed steady.
“Now go! Before I change my mind and start charging you a co-pay for these therapy sessions.”
I laughed, swiping at my face.
Danica wasn’t just my sister; she was my friend—probably the only person I could call a true friend. Her presence was a reminder that even in betrayal, even in heartbreak, I wasn’t standing alone.
Roman opened the door, and I didn’t even bother with words; I just folded into him… arms locked tight and my face pressed to his chest like I’d been running for miles and finally reached the finish line.
He chuckled low against my hair, the sound rough but steady. “Damn. I missed you, too.”
But when I tipped my head back and Roman caught my eyes, everything about him shifted.
“Who the fuck made you cry?” he snarled.
His tone wasn’t curious; it was dangerous, the kind of edge that made my pulse stutter.
I half-laughed, half-sniffled, wiping under my eyes. “I almost forgot you were a lawyer for a minute.”
His jaw flexed, eyes burning hotter. “Yeah, well, counsels can still catch a case. But the lawyer in me? He’s on break. The man who’ll bury somebody for hurting you?” He leaned closer, voice dropping into a growl. “He’s still on the clock.”
Roman’s gaze never left mine, scanning my face like he could read the whole story in the cracks of my expression.
He guided me over to the couch, his hand firm but careful at the small of my back. We sank down together, his thigh pressed against mine, grounding me.
“Talk to me,” he said, the softness in his tone doing nothing to blunt the savagery in his eyes.
I told him everything—Kendall’s unlocked phone, the messages between her and Jayla, the fake smiles that twisted in my face when I wasn’t looking and how every “congratulations” tasted hollow once I knew what was said when my back wasturned. It wasn’t just betrayal—it was humiliation dressed up as friendship, and it cut deeper than I ever let them see.
“And you still want to go through with the wedding?” Roman asked carefully.
“I’m not calling it that,” I muttered. “I wanted to call it off… right then. But Danica said, “No, we don’t run, we reveal.” I tried to smile, but it landed crooked. “And… she’s right. If I walk now, they win. I’m not giving them that.”
