Page 110 of Forever Mine
“It’s my witchy magic.”
“Do you mind if I have a private word with my son?” Dad says.
Ash picks up his leather toiletry kit from the dresser. “The nail polish fairy needs to visit the other groom.”
He painted our nails earlier. Even Dad is rocking a rainbow manicure.
Jessi hooks her arm through his. “I’ll see if Pixie needs anything.”
“Is that code for S-E-X?” Ash asks as they head out.
“Duh.”
The sea breeze brings the sound of waves and the distant chatter of guests through the open window. The fiery, orange-yellow ball hanging in the sky is starting its descent, casting a golden glow over the beach. The decorations, the runner, the flowers, the wedding arch. Everything looks beautiful.
A flutter of sudden nerves hits me, but it’s overshadowed by the pure joy that hasn’t dissipated since I woke up this morning. In just a little while, I’ll be walking down the aisle and pledging my love, heart, and soul to my man.
Reaching up, I touch David’s necklace.Wish you could be here.
I think about him and Lamar every day. Miss them every day. David’s birthday is coming up. Julien and I are going to drive to Durham and meet up with Shaun and Yo at the gravesite. It’s more important to celebrate David’s life, not his death.
Dad joins me at the window, his profile matching mine. It amazes me how much I look like him now. Adult me and Dad. If I had a beard, we’d probably be as similar as Julien and Jayson are to one another.
He readjusts his tie, loosening the knot a bit. He hates wearing them.
“You nervous?”
I trace tiny hearts on the windowsill with a fingertip.
“A little,” I admit. “But mostly, I’m just excited. It feels like I’ve waited for this day since seventh grade. Since the first time I saw him. One look, and I knew that Julien Jameson would change my life forever.”
Dad loops his arm around me and pulls me into a hug. I let myself lean into it, drawing strength from his embrace.
“You and Julien are going to have a beautiful life together.”
A spectacular life.
Subdued, he inquires, “Have you spoken with your mother?”
My relationship with Beverly is precarious at best, cautious at most. She wanted to be here but said she understood when I told her I didn’t think it was a good idea.
It’s hard to let her back in, even a millimeter. My right to be wary is justified. She hasn’t pushed, which is good. If she tried, I’d push her right back—straight out of my life again. But she hasn’t. She calls me every week, and we talk. It’s a start. Baby steps.
“This morning.” I nod in the direction of the wedding arch. “This giving you any ideas?”
Julien and I think wedding bells are in store for Dad and Pamela soon. He hasn’t said anything, but anyone with eyes cansee how much they love each other. Julien may call me Angel, but Pamela is my angel. The way she loves Dad, how happy she’s made him… I’m so fucking ecstatic that he got a second chance at finding love again.
He laughs and squeezes my shoulders. “Maybe.”
April flies into the bedroom, a whirlwind of red-haired excitement.
“This was just delivered for you.”
She emits a high-pitched squeal that threatens to burst my eardrums.
“Why are you squealing?”
“You’ll see. Open it.” She thrusts the FedEx envelope at me.
