MILA

While Mila stood in the lobby, which had somehow just become very loud, she clicked on a group text with her sisters about the venue they were considering.

YASMIN: A Castle in Ireland?? I love it.

LIDO: NO! HELL NO!

YASMIN: WHY???

Mila started to navigate her phone for Lido’s contact when she got a call from Yasmin.

“That bitch is being a hater,” were the first words from her oldest sister’s mouth.

The phone buzzed. It was Lido.

“Hold on, Yas, that’s Lido—”

“Well, I want to speak to her too.”

“Then hold on. Damn, I’m going to conference her in.”

It took a few minutes to figure out the logistics of a conference call, but soon, all the sisters were on the line.

“You can’t marry him in Europe. Europe is out,” Lido said.

“And why is an entire continent out?” Yasmin was instantly on the defensive.

“Because he married Diane in England. Ireland—England! Too close.”

“All of Europe is out?” Yasmin snapped.

“Wait, Yas. She’s right, now I don’t want to get married there,” Mila huffed. “Before Blake and I met with Thao, I was tagged in a comment with this winery in Napa Valley. It’s owned by three black sisters, and the photos were—”

“Are they new?” Lido asked.

“Yes, I commented and congratulated them on their new winery. I—”

“Then you don’t want a bunch of newbies screwing up stuff,” Lido said.

Yasmin scoffed. “Aren’t you so pessimistic. I would mention how somebody doesn’t like supporting our people, but actually, I agree. Lido might be right.”

“Oh, is that a first.” Lido laughed.

“Hello, this is for me.” Mila cut in. “I see what you’re saying but let me get into the convo. And I still would like to support them in the future, so . . .”

Lido commandeered the conversation. “We can have the bachelorette party there. Bam! See, I can represent for the melanin chicks when I wanna!” She sounded excited. “I’ll be in charge of it. I am the maid of honor, Yas.”

“Alright, I like that,” Mila said, almost laughing at her response.

“Let me know if you need help.” Yasmin spoke up. The inference in her tone was thick even through the phone.

“Bye, ladies,” Mila hung up before either of her sisters could throw another harsh comment to each other.

She headed back into the lounge. Another text message came through.

YASMIN: It doesn’t matter where you get married, Mila. YOU WILL BE THE STAR.

A smile started at the corners of her lips. She then continued past the bar to the alcove where the men were chatting aimlessly. “I changed my mind about Ireland.”

“Alright, baby,” Blake said. He caressed her cheek and planted his lips against hers for a soft, delicate kiss.

“Name a place that feels most comfortable to you two,” Thao asked. “Tell me, are we still talking destination? Where did you first vacation?”

Mila tried to focus. She continued to tell herself that this marriage had nothing to do with Blake’s previous marriage. This one, unlike the last, would last. “You made me take some sick time from work,” she said mischievously.

“We went to Tokyo.”

Thao played with the silk lapel of his suit while in thought.

“We’ve had some good times there.” Blake softly growled in Mila’s ear. They were acting like lovebirds. “Mila chased me all the way to Asia when we broke up for a time.”

“Oh, so you’re going to forget that you tried to catch up with me in Ethiopia?” She laughed.

“I’m thinking of the oriental lily,” Thao said. “Mila, give me a couple of days, and I will have the perfect idea.”

 

About twenty minutes later, they were shaking hands with Thao. Blake and Mila cozied up in their seats after Thao departed. Blake had ordered the best champagne the lounge had.

“Oh, so we’re celebrating now, Blake?” Mila cocked an eyebrow. The music was low, and the dimly lit room had an enchanting aura about it. Mila freely caressed a hand along his chest.

“Every day is a celebration when I’m with you.”

She scoffed but couldn’t help the giddiness creeping into her cheeks. Blake slid his hand between her thighs.

“This is not a sex club,” Mila warned.

“Me screwing you as they watch.” Blake’s baritone voice was laced with desire, though his hand had moved, resting at mid-thigh. Mila had stopped breathing. Her lips were on his mouth. She was subconsciously begging him to work his way higher.

Emerald eyes twinkling, he stopped. “Still not a finger bang boy.” He laughed at her and removed his hand.

She did the only thing she could do in this situation. First, she took in a hitch of much-needed oxygen. Then she slapped Blake’s arm.

The waiter was at the table, holding out a bottle when Mila’s cell phone vibrated. As Blake gave the go-ahead, she pulled out her phone and saw a text from Veronica.

VERONICA: No warning? What sort of friend are you :/

Sighing deeply, Mila thought of the best response. A heads-up that Lido was in town would’ve been nice. She could only assume that Lido had found and cornered Veronica since Lido wasn’t offered the chance to mooch off her and Blake.

MILA: Sorry. What’s going on?

VERONICA: Nothing I can’t handle. To be honest, L just showed up at our house. She left without acting up though.

VERONICA: My House.

MILA: Wow . . . she’s acclimating back to polite society.

VERONICA: I guess. Well see you 2moro. Pray for me.

MILA: Always.

“You look relieved,” Blake said, holding out a flute.

She had much to be thankful for and yet . . . in the back of Mila’s mind Todd was there. She had been trying to downplay it, but no matter what she did, he was always there when she closed her eyes. Blinking back the notion of him kissing her, Mila nodded. “Lido is acting like a civilized human being.”

Blake chuckled. “See, another reason to celebrate.”

His mouth descended on hers, and the momentary worry about Veronica’s first text message and the nightmares of Todd faded away.