Page 6

Peering over at Lo, Bria noticed him talking to his twin brother. All the Crown men were handsome and shared a resemblance. His brothers were kind, and Devyn let her know if she needed anything to reach out. Meco was more standoffish but not rude.

Cali leaned over to Bria with a glass of champagne in her hand. “Girl, now why Dad couldn’t hook me up with your husband’s twin?”

Snickering, Bria retorted, “Girl, that man is married already. Can you believe Kaylona is his wife? I’m too fanned out that she and Satori Harper are at my wedding.”

“Yeah, that’s crazy but I don't know why you're geeked as if you're not a big deal yourself.”

Shrugging, Bria knew her talent shined brightly but she was still down to earth. Not one to gloat about all of her accolades, she preferred to stay grounded to reality instead of letting an overly inflated ego be her downfall.

“Yeah, I know but they're a big deal. I’m more lowkey with my career.”

“If you say so… hey, do you think you're going to fuck your new husband tonight?” Cali grinned.

She shrugged, not certain of what was set to happen tonight. “I’m not sure. We’re only going to a hotel since I requested that we don't go on a honeymoon.”

Cali’s brows rumpled as her head jerked back. “Girl, why would you request that? You could’ve been in Bora Bora getting your back blown out.”

Bria shook her head. This marriage had already started off unconventional.

Her honeymoon had to be blissful. It had to be filled with swoon, love, and intimacy that she read about in books.

She and Lo hadn’t arrived at that destination yet.

They were still at the starting line of a marathon called a marriage.

“No, I don't want to look back on my honeymoon and it be filled with awkwardness. It’s not canceled but pending. I want at least one of my memories to be beautiful and not forced.”

Cali rolled her eyes. “Girl, you need to quit living like one of those characters in the romance novels. I would be climbing that dick on an island somewhere. Forget that other shit you're saying.”

Bria laughed. “That’s ‘cause you're a sex-driven whore who don't know how to let that coochie breathe.”

They both shared a laugh before high fiving each other. “You're right, I don't.”

Bria noticed Lo’s mother walking across the room.

Her face wasn’t as friendly as it had been before.

Her expression was now filled with mischief while cracking her knuckles.

She approached her twin sister and bent down toward her ear.

She whispered something, and whatever was said made Maddy’s features contort into a scowl.

Ada sashayed away with a grin on her face that expressed she had won a victory.

“Fuck you!” Maddy yelled at her back.

Bria’s mouth gaped, anticipating a fight.

Some of the guests were tuned into the scene while Ada strutted across the room.

She approached Dax’s chair and the two of them made their exit out of the room.

Bria looked at Lo, who wore a grim mien.

His eyes were narrowed as he cupped his fist inside his palm.

“Is everything okay with them?” Bria asked him.

He shook his head but didn’t reply verbally.

Instead, he got up and stalked toward Maddy.

There was something brewing in their family, and Bria was anxious to know what it was.

Lo bent down toward Maddy, with his hand on her shoulder.

Bria was a little shocked to see the concern on his face.

So far, he hadn’t shown her any emotion, and she was relieved to see that there was some compassion under his guarded armor.

Enya leaned back from her seat and asked, “Girl, why that lady cursed at his mama?”

Holding her palms out, Bria confessed, “I don't have a clue.”

Lo came back over and sat back in his seat. “What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you sure? Why did your parents leave?”

“Because they weren’t welcomed here in the first place.”

Bria’s eyes grew wide. “What? You didn’t want them here? Why not?”

Lo peered deeply into her eyes. The actual act made goosebumps flourish across her skin.

“‘Cause I don't fuck with them. They only came here because my brother asked me to do a solid for him.”

Bria was taken aback by his declaration. He didn’t deal with his parents. She found a problem with that but didn’t want to express it at the moment. Not in the middle of their reception.

“Is that it?” he asked but she knew it was rhetorical.

Instead of answering, Bria nodded. Lo gave her one more look before picking up his glass and sipping on his drink.

“Okay, guys, it’s time for the bride and groom’s first dance,” the wedding planner announced.

Bria and Lo rose from their seats and walked to the dance floor.

This show that everyone tuned into was one that had Bria gulping back her anxiety.

Standing in front of Lo felt so foreign but his brown gaze put her at ease.

His hand rested on her hip with her hand inside his.

Once Shai’s “ Together Forever ” began playing, Lo and Bria swayed to the rhythm of the beat.

They stared at each other, inciting a silent connection that couldn’t be deciphered at the moment.

What had she gotten herself into? Bria was composed of two battling positions.

On one side of the ring was the optimistic side of her.

That side was hopeful that Lo would honor and cherish her.

Then, there was the cautious side of her being.

She was skeptical and didn’t have faith that Lo would live up to what she needed him to be.

“What you thinking about?” he asked, exploring her face with his eyes.

“This,” she answered, honestly.

“What about it?”

“I don’t know. I can’t believe I did this. Do you think this will last?”

“Why wouldn’t it?” A subtle smile settled on Lo’s lips, giving her another batch of ease.

“I don’t know. I feel like you’re going to be a challenge. You already gave me an instruction manual the first time we met.”

He tipped his head back, laughing quietly. Bria admired him in this mood. The one where he was smiling and not mean mugging.

“So, you like to exaggerate, huh?”

“Just a lil’ bit.” She held up her index finger and thumb with space between them.

“Yeah, a’ight… But we’ll be good as long as you follow my lead.”

Here he goes with this follow his lead mess…

Bria kept her rebuttal to herself for the sake of their wedding. Lo was a walking red flag that was equipped with endless sex appeal and an allurement that she wouldn’t be able to cure. Whatever she had gotten herself into, Bria prayed that she’d be able to handle it.