Page 104 of Before I Say I Don't
The nervous energy in the room transformed into a series of chuckles.
“Not her turning the wedding into a Judge Mathis show!” someone shouted.
I nodded, smiling wider. “Now, I strongly encourage y’all to stay because food will be served after. Yes—y’all gon’ eat.”
My uncle blurted, “As long as y’all still serving chicken, I’m staying!”
A roar of laughter burst through the crowd, folks easing back into their seats with fans waving again.
I scanned the crowd, taking in my colleagues and partners from the firm, whose expressions were stiff as mannequins.
I sighed into the mic, lips curving. “Now, before we get started… let me just say this. To my coworkers, colleagues, and everybody associated with the firm or others—” I gesturedtoward their section, “—I apologize in advance for what you all are about to witness.”
Some shifted uncomfortably, eyes darting around like they were waiting for HR to burst through the doors at any moment.
“And if my firm fires me after today, I’ll understand. This isn’t exactly in the handbook. But let’s be real…” I let my eyes sweep across them. “Who else closes cases like me? Who else bills hours like me? Who else wins trials half-asleep with a venti latte in their hand?” I shrugged. “If y’all cut me loose, that’s fine. I’ll just start my own practice, hang my name in bold letters, and take all the clients with me.”
The room cracked—claps, whistles and somebody hollered, “Talk yo’ stuff, sis!”
I wanted to add,Because the truth is—Iamthe firm and it would feel a whole lot emptier without me. Don’t get it twisted.
That wasn’t cockiness; it was the truth and about freedom. If they cut me loose, so what? I’d been carrying that firm on my back for years. I was the late nights, the closed deals, the miracle worker they paraded in front of clients. They might’ve signed the checks, but I’d built the brand. If they let me go, I’d just build my own. And honestly? It’d probably be better.
I nodded, satisfied. “Alright. Now that the disclaimer is out the way…” I lifted the mic higher. “Court isofficiallyin session.”
Viangelo lurched forward, hand shooting out like he meant to snatch the mic from me.
The crowd gasped, then murmured like waves hitting a pier.
Before he could get close, two of the security guys stepped in smoothly, gripped his arms and locked him in place. He fought against them, but they held him steady, muscles bulging under black sleeves like they’d been waiting for that moment.
I spoke, unbothered. “Oh no, sweetheart—don’t interrupt me. I’mnotfinished.”
From the corner of my eye, I caught Roman shift like he was seconds away from stepping in.
I slid my gaze over to him and gave the smallest, sharpest side-eye, gesturing,Not yet, baby.
Roman nodded, then casually folded his hands in front of him. But his eyes stayed locked on me—steady, protective, and lethal if I gave the word.
I tilted my head, watching Viangelo simmer. “It’s funny how you never showed this much urgency when I needed you to actually show up… but let me grab a microphone, and suddenly you’re Usain Bolt.”
Laughter crackled through the room—half shocked, half playful.
Diane jumped up from her seat in defense. “Kamira, you will not embarrass my son like this!”
I turned to her, wearing a devilish grin. “Ma’am, you ordered a wedding, not a muzzled bride. Don’t worry—you’ll get your refund.”
The entire left side of the room erupted in laughter.
I adjusted my grip on the mic, steady.
“Now… as I was saying, this isn’t just about vows; this is about me finally valuing myself enough to not settle for crumbs dressed up like cake. See, y’all thought this was about a happily ever after. Oh, no. This is a PSA… a cautionary tale.”
I cleared my throat and let my voice settle into that courtroom cadence that had paid my bills.
“Now we can keep pretending this was ever about love, or I can give y’all the real show. And trust me…” I raised my phone, screen glowing with damning evidence, “…the highlight reel is better than cable. That being said, let’s begin. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I present to you, the first case on the docket…Kamira vs. Taryn: The Case of the Hidden Baby Mama.”
The crowd erupted into a cacophony of hollers; a few individuals even stomped the floor like it was Showtime at the Apollo.
