Page 116 of Before I Say I Don't
That’s when Serena and Lena approached us, both shaking their heads but with very different expressions.
“Well damn, Kamira…” Serena began, eyes flicking between me and Roman. “I had my doubts about you and this one, but… after seeingthat?” She whistled low. “I might be a believer now.”
Lena elbowed Serena lightly. “Ignore her. I just want you to know, you handled yourself like a queen in there. All that? That was power.”
“Thank you.” I smiled faintly, the tension in my chest loosening for just a second. “Sorry y’all had to witness that and see me in character like that.”
Serena waved me off with a laugh. “Girl, please! Don’t apologize. That was better thananyNetflix special I’ve binged this year. If anything, I should be payingyoua subscription fee.”
I shook my head, chuckling as Lena rolled her eyes.
Serena leaned in closer. “Anyway, come on, Lena. Let’s go find some liquor before I say something reckless.” She grabbed Lena’s arm and pulled her away, tossing me a wink over her shoulder.
I chuckled, the sound lighter than I expected.
Danica came over next, walking with that deliberate strut of someone whoranevery room she stepped into. She stopped in front of me, eyes shining.
“I amsodamn proud of you,” Danica expressed, her voice low but packed with emotion. “You didn’t just walk through fire today; you danced in it and owned it, baby sis! And I don’t ever want you forgetting who you are after this moment.”
Roman nodded slightly in agreement.
Danica turned her focus to him, deadly serious. “You take care of her… or else.”
Roman smirked. “Or else what?”
Danica didn’t blink. “Or else you’ll be the next defendant standing in this courtroom, and trust me, I sentenceharderthan the state.”
Roman chuckled, but there was respect in his eyes. “Don’t worry, Danica. She’s mine now. I promise you, no one will ever hurt her or disrespect her again… not on my watch.”
Satisfied, Danica gave my hand a squeeze before stepping back. “I love you, sis, but I gotta go make sure the DJ doesn’t start the Cupid Shuffle before people get their first drink. Catch you at the reception!” She winked and floated off, already halfway in hostess mode.
Seconds later, Marcus showed up, arms folded, eyes sharp.
“So… when exactly were you planning to tell me about you and Roman?”
“Today… the same time as everybody else.” I giggled, half-joking, half-truth.
Marcus scoffed, shaking his head. “Kam, you don’t just stroll into court without opening arguments.”
I tilted my head, meeting his stare. “And you don’t reveal your strategy before trial, Marcus. You of all people should know that.”
Before Marcus could fire back, Roman’s voice cut in smooth. “Careful, man—she’s been winning cases without breaking a sweat. You sure you wanna spar with her?”
Marcus chuckled, holding his hands up. “Nah. I wouldn’t even do myself like that. I like my ego intact and I also like getting an adequate amount of sleep at night. Going up againstthis onewould have me up rehearsing objections in my dreams.” The grin faded, his voice dropping into something steadier. “But all jokes aside—Kam’s like a sister to me. So if you’re stepping into this, treat her right man. No bullshit like that clown in there.”
Roman’s smirk curved into something firm, steady. “Trust me, with her, I’m all in. She won’t ever have to question where she stands with me—ever.”
Marcus exhaled a laugh, shaking his head. “I guess this means you’ll be sticking around after all, huh?”
Roman’s gaze shifted to me, his smirk easing into something gentler, more certain.
“Yeah… I’m not going anywhere… not from her. She’s it for me—the start, the finish, the whole damn reason I show up. Wherever Kam is… that’s home.”
Marcus’s jaw softened, the edge slipping away. “That’s love,” he said simply.
We chatted a little longer—just enough for Marcus to remind me he had my back, always—and then he left to join the others.
Seconds later, Taryn appeared, almost tentative.
