Page 84 of Her Marine
Alijah moved her finger over the screen, moving down the aisle before turning the view to see where she would enter.
“This is incredible, Journee. When you said you would show me visuals the next time we met, I wasn’t expecting this. I feel like I’m there. This is impressive.”
Journee smiled at her. “Thank you, but honestly, I got the idea from apartments and implemented it.”
She’d always thought it was a good idea when apartment complexes offered a 3D view of their apartments. It tended to make potential renters more interested in them. She’d first seen it a few years ago when her sisters were looking for apartments. It took her a few months after she saw it to figure out how to do it herself, but it was now always a hit with her brides.
“Either way, it’s still great. It gives me the full experience of what things will look like and honestly puts me at ease. I’m sure the other couples you help feel the same way.”
Journee waited for Alijah to finish looking at the ceremony space before pulling up the reception space and allowing her to go through it. This one had taken her a while to set up. The area was large, and the guest list was as well. It’d also taken Journee some time to figure out the best way to set the space up so that the dance area and tables seemed separate, but the reception was still intimate with the ample space it would be held in.
Alijah placed the tablet aside several minutes later when their appetizers came. They’d been out together all day and were currently having dinner as they finished up. All the decorations were finalized, and all the vendors that were decided on were paid and scheduled for delivery. One of Kieran’s friends was a chef, and one of his restaurants would be catering the wedding, so that was one thing Journee didn’t have to worry about.
The wedding was in three weeks, and while they had just about everything done, and Alijah seemed fine at the moment, Journee knew that the closer it got, the more she may worry, be nervous, or become anxious.
“So, I’ve decided on the shop you gave me the information for, for my wedding cake,” Alijah stated after eating their appetizers for a few minutes. “I couldn’t go to order something, but one of the other employees happened to be visiting family, and I asked them to bring me some things back. That, coupled with what I had at your office, decided for me.”
Journee smiled at her. When she’d given Alijah the information about Kaydence’s confection shop, she’d neglected to tell her that she knew the owner. Her friend’s treats were beyond delicious, and she knew Alijah would love them once she tasted them. She wanted Kaydence to get the business from her talent.
“Kieran and I are driving in tomorrow to place the order. I hope they have availability to get it done.”
“I’m sure they do, and you’ll be satisfied with whatever you order from them. They’re the best in the city.”
“I believe you. Now, all I have to do is find someone to do my hair and makeup, and I’ll be good to go.”
Journee wiped her hands on a paper towel and grabbed her tablet. She first brought up her little sister’s Instagram page, split the screen, and brought up Talia’s. Her way of seeing it was if Alijah hadn’t found someone yet, she could show Alijah their work. Journee always recommended her sisters and friends whenever they offered something someone was looking for, and this was no exception.
“I don’t know if you’re looking for someone in particular, but I can show you a few options. They’re in Colorado Springs, but they’d travel.”
Journee handed the tablet to Alijah to let her see what Aariah and Talia had to offer, and if she didn’t like it, then she had another stylist and makeup artist she could recommend, but she would push the two of them first.
Alijah looked at their pages for a few minutes before picking up her phone and telling Journee she would follow them and look at more later. Journee was okay with that. She’d brought them to Alijah’s attention, which was all she could do.
Once their main courses came, the conversation switched to the honeymoon, and Journee questioned where they’d decided to go. To her surprise, Alijah told her she didn’t know because Kieran told her he would plan it but refused to tell her where they were going.
Her surprise wasn’t because he was planning it. It was because she hadn’t thought he’d be able to keep it from Alijah. She’d only interacted with the couple twice, but she got the distinct feeling that he didn’t keep things from her.
Journee thought it was sweet that he wanted to plan it and keep it a surprise. She seldom got grooms that did anything regarding a wedding as a whole, and that included honeymoon planning. It seemed that he at least wanted his future wife to have one less thing to worry about.
When they finished dinner, Alijah insisted on paying since Journee drove to her for the meeting and drove them around all day. After paying the check, they left the restaurant, and Journee drove to Alijah’s condo. They said their goodbyes, and she watched Alijah walk into the building before leaving the parking lot.
Journee made the drive home listening to soft music. The traffic was light, but she hadn’t expected anything else for a Tuesday night.
She pulled into her driveway and got out of the car. Journee entered the house, closing and locking the door behind her. She placed her keys into the bowl on the entry table and went to her bedroom.
Journee placed her purse on her dresser and her satchel on the floor by it. She took her shoes off, placing them in the closet before entering the bathroom and turning on the shower. She was removing her clothes when she heard her phone ringing.
She retrieved her phone from her purse and saw that Killian was video-calling her.
“Hey, babe,” Journee greeted as she returned to the bathroom.
“Hey, Tigress. It looks like I called at the perfect time.”
Journee smirked at him. “If you’d waited twenty seconds longer, the bra and panties would have been off too.”
“I’m all for watching you take them off.”
“I’m sure you are,” she responded as she reached back and unclasped her bra, slipping it off. She then pushed her panties down her hips and allowed them to fall to the floor before stepping out of them.
