Page 98 of Before I Say I Don't
Him being the self-proclaimed party animal, I expected pushback, but to my surprise, he nodded almost too quickly, like even he felt the night slipping sideways.
I straightened my posture, then turned to the crowd, smile snapping back into place like I hadn’t just been simmering inside.
I clinked my glass gently. “Can I get everyone’s attention, please?”
The room hushed, faces turning toward me with polite expectancy.
“Viangelo and I would like to not only thank you all for coming out tonight, but for being part of our wedding. It means so much to us. I hope you all enjoyed the meal, the laughs, and the company. We’re grateful for every single one of you being here to celebrate with us. Seriously—get some rest, be on time tomorrow, and drive safe going home. We want our day to be beautiful, but it won’t happen without y’all showing up and showing out.”
I let my gaze sweep the room, lingering just long enough on a few faces before I added, voice sweet but edged, “Tomorrow’sabout love, respect, andtruth… and I know everyone here will rise to the occasion.”
Danica’s brow arched ever so slightly. The room nodded, oblivious.
“Danica will send the final call sheet in an hour,” I finished, smile never faltering.
“Fifteenminutes,” Danica corrected with a smile.
The room believed her.
Chairs scraped and people drifted toward the exit in clumps of whispering.
I joined Danica again, pulled her to the side, and told her everything. Each sentence tightened her jaw another notch.
“So what we about to do?” I asked, my earrings already in my fingers before I realized I’d reached for them.
Initially, I was okay with just hearing it from Jayla and Kendall but saying it out loud made me realize just how everybody had really been playing in my face.
Danica chuckled. “Oh, you’re mad-mad. But no, ma’am. Now, any other time? I’d say take ‘em off, pull your hair back, and let security earn their check… not tonight, sis.”
She covered my hands with hers, folding the jewelry back into my palm.
“Save it for tomorrow. Let them all dress up. Let them smile. Let them show up thinking they got away with it.But tomorrow, in front of God, family, and everybody—including the DJ and whoever’s refilling the sweet tea—give them a show. They wanted a fairytale? Tomorrow, they’re getting a plot twist.”
“Damn right.”
“Besides, none of them are worth it…andJayla’s pregnant,” Danica reminded me.
“I don’t care if she’s carrying twins named Consequence and Karma, with a godparent named Payback, and the baby shower sponsored by Bad Decisions,” I said heartless.
Danica chuckled. “Sis, you can’t be going to jail. Who’s gonna pay for brunch and keep my wine fridge stocked if you’re locked up?”
I laughed in spite of the situation because that was Danica all day—selfish-funny, flipping sharp truths into humor that kept me from drowning.
“But she was my best friend?—”
“She’snot,” Danica interjected, soft voice, sharp words. “Say it. She’snot.”
“She’s not,” I grumbled.
Danica’s thumb rubbed the back of my hand once, grounding. “Breathe. One more day.”
“One more day,” I exhaled.
“And if you need to let off a little steam,” she added, her mouth twitching at a memory only she and I shared, “you know exactly how. Also, the bride and groom aren’t supposed to see each other tonight… and you’resupposedto be staying with me.”
“Trueeeee…” I drawled, the wheels turning inside my head.
“So…”
