“I saw your bride.” Devyn grinned. “She’s fine as fuck.”
“I know just like Tori,” Lo joked.
Devyn’s face turned stone. “You want me to fuck you up so bad.”
Meco smirked, shaking his head. “Look at his ass. He already got a soft spot for her.”
“I don't even know her like that.” Lo snorted as smoke sauntered from his lips.
He passed the blunt to Meco, who took a few hits. Devyn wasn’t a smoker, so he gave it back to Lo.
“You know Ma and Pops are here,” Meco informed him.
“Yeah, and I hope Devyn told them what I said.”
Devyn watched cars pull into the driveway. “I told her. They won’t say nothing to you.”
The real reason Lo sparked up right before the wedding was to take his mind off seeing his parents. The triggers that awaited him were intimidating. There was no way around it. He would be tormented after this day, and Lo wasn’t mentally prepared for it.
“So, what about pictures? You know the family take pics with both sides.”
Lo shrugged. “I guess I ain't taking none.”
“You know this stubborn-ass nigga about to make it awkward,” Devyn complained.
“If you know this, then why did you present the idea of your people coming?”
“I told you already. Ma and Pops wanted to be here.”
Lo put the blunt out and grabbed his jacket. He opened his glove compartment and grabbed his Oud Silk Mood cologne. Once he sprayed it all over himself, he got out the car and exhaled deeply.
“Let’s go get this shit over with. I already wanna leave.”
Meco shook his head. “You about to be the worst husband in the world. I damn near wanna tell ol’ girl to focus on herself.”
Devyn chortled. “Right, I hope she ain't expecting no romantic-ass nigga ‘cause she’s in for a rude awakening.”
Lo smirked as they hiked the stairs and entered the house. The cocktail hour had brought forth guests that were dispersed throughout the lower level. Lo didn’t speak to anyone as he headed toward the backyard where the ceremony would take place. God must've sent a memo to Mother Nature because the weather was perfect. The sun was the only headliner in the sky without a cloud in sight. The eighty-degree temperature was perfect with the humidity down from its usual ninety percent.
Lo strolled down the aisle that was lined with a white, silk runner. He stopped at Maddy, who was dressed in a black dress with her silver curls styled in a fancy bun.
“You straight?” he asked, hugging her.
She pulled back, sporting a smile that unveiled how happy she was.
“Yes, I can’t believe you're about to get married. Auntie is so proud of you.” She hugged him again. “I’ve prayed for this moment for so many years. God really does come on time.”
Lo’s brows furrowed. “Why did you pray for this?”
“Because.” She gently held the side of his face. “I’ve always wanted you to find your happiness and share it with someone special. For years, I thought it would never happen, but God knows what’s best. I’m so relieved by this moment.”
Lo mulled over her words, drinking them in like a shot of Henny. Did she not know he had no emotional attachment to Bria and probably never would? His book was sealed shut. No one could turn the pages, especially not a woman, who he was only taking her hand in marriage for business purposes.
Lo noticed Durand next to her and shook his hand.
“You still got time to run,” he joked.
Lo smirked. “Nah, my word is everything, and I gave it to them that I would be here.”
