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“I’m so damn mad you didn’t think to invite us on this little trip. You act as if you have friends outside of us.”

Snickering at Bridgette’s dramatics, I looped my arms around my girls and led them through the mall. I was doing some last-minute shopping for Grove’s Isle and decided to make it a day with them.

“Bridgette, you know damn well Jules isn’t letting you out of his sight for more than an hour,” Gabby stated, and I nodded in agreement.

“You might as well tell my husband to put you on payroll as much as you stay at the office. That man gets you up every morning and dresses you for work right along with him.”

“He just wants to spend time with me and the baby.” Bridgette stopped walking and placed her hand on her hip, causing her maxi dress to shift and her little bump to show. “And I know you’re not talking, Gabby. When was the last time Rosier let you shower alone?”

Right in the middle of The Galleria, the girls had a brief stare-off.

Nicky and Luca eyed us questioningly, and that caused us to erupt into a fit of laughter.

Listening to them speak about my brothers’ clinginess was funny and refreshing.

They are such hard asses in public but putty when it comes down to their wives.

I loved that for the girls, and I wanted that for myself.

“Let’s go over there and get Chinese.” Gabby hauled us over to the food court. “I know the guys are tired of looking at bikinis and candles.”

After placing our orders, we found a table away from the crowd.

We always thought it was smart to come here in the middle of the day, but it didn’t seem to matter because it was forever packed.

Luca and Nicky were annoyed with the constant stream of people around us, so Luca sat close at a nearby table while Nicky took our bags to the truck.

“So Mimi, how’s the wedding plans coming?” Gabby asked as she stuffed her face with orange chicken. “You haven’t mentioned fittings or anything.”

Sipping my lemonade, I sighed heavily as I glanced at them.

I hadn’t seen Chan since our movie and dinner date.

The date was supposed to be him making up for the disastrous paint and sip event we went to, but the movie date was no better.

The nigga ended up falling asleep during the first thirty minutes, and the only reason I stayed was because I was able to watch the rest of it in peace.

Then, at dinner, I had to watch Chan force himself to keep his eyes on me and not on the various women who were either patronizing the steakhouse like we were or working there.

We ended the night with me expressing how pathetic he was and instructing him to leave me the hell alone until I was ready to start planning the wedding.

Since then, he’s been calling and blowing me up for days, but I was done trying.

I had officially declared the marriage to be strictly an arrangement.

There was no way I was going to even like this man as a friend at the rate we were going.

It took everything in me not to call my brothers to kill his ass for his consistent disrespect.

At this point, I was ready to murk his ass my damn self.

“I haven’t spoken on it because I haven’t put any thought into it.

” I shrugged and eyed them both. On a day we were supposed to be enjoying each other and relaxing, talking about Chandler and a wedding I didn’t want to participate in was the last thing I wanted to do.

Still, I knew it was inevitable, so I continued.

“That’s one of the reasons I’m going on vacation.

I need to take a breather and wrap my mind around all of this.

” I felt the tears pooling in my eyes, but I vowed I wouldn’t cry over this anymore.

“It’s tough because I want what y’all have…

” I motioned between them as they watched me sympathetically.

“I want the husband, the kids—I want my man to sit on the toilet while I shower or even join me because he can’t stand being away from me.

I want to sit on the back patio while our dog and baby girl chase the butterflies in the flower garden that Mama planted. I deserve that.”

Sighing deeply, I shook my head in despair. “Instead… I’m stuck with a womanizer that embarrasses me at every turn. I’m trying, y’all. I swear, I am. I don’t want to be deemed intolerable or not being a team player when it comes to the Boudreaux family, but that man is making it difficult.”

“Sis, I know you don’t see it now, but you will have everything you’ve prayed for.

” Bridgette reached out and grabbed my hand.

“I haven’t met a Boudreaux, yet that hasn’t set their mind to something and not gotten it.

I know the situation is messed up and not one you wanted for yourself, but I know that if there’s anyone who will figure out a way to make it work, it’s you. ”

“I agree with Bridgette,” Gabby chimed in with a soft smile. “You’re smart, headstrong, and as crazy as the men you share blood with.” We shared a laugh because those were facts. “You will make the best of your situation and make it work for you… I know you will.”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded because they were right.

Rosier gave me options, but I needed to be sure I was making the best one for me.

I know what marrying Chandler will entail.

I also know what not doing it may mean as well.

I never wanted to bring drama to my family, and not going through with the duty set before me would most likely cause a war.

I didn’t want that, and despite how unhappy it would make me, I wouldn’t let that happen.

“Anyway…” I shook off the misery that was creeping in. “I’m excited about my vacation. I’m going to Grove’s Isle, and I read a lot of great reviews about it. Dre is in the city for a little while, too, so I’m going to link with him.”

“Is he the only one you plan to see?” Gabby gave me a knowing look as she finished her food. I wouldn’t call her out on it, but the way she’s been putting her meals away, I’d bet she was pregnant again. “From what I saw at Dre’s house, a certain Mills brother couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”

Thank goodness for my skin tone because if I were any brighter, I’d be cherry red. “Jordan and I are just friends. Nothing is going on.”

As much as I hate to admit it, I like Jordan more than I should.

He’s so attentive and sweet—I couldn’t help but to be drawn to him.

He has an energy that exudes from him, drawing you in and making you want to bear your soul to him.

He’s dangerous, and common sense would tell me to stay away. Sadly, common sense wasn’t common.

“All I’m going to say is, be careful,” Gabby said as we stood from the table.

It was a good thing we were done shopping because that food had a little bit of melatonin in it.

“You know what type of family you’re in as well as the type of man you’re engaged to.

Certain things won’t be tolerated, sis.”

Rolling my eyes, I said nothing as I grabbed my purse and led us toward the exit. We made small talk as we walked through the sea of people, only stopping when someone called out to me.

“Noemi Boudreaux! I thought that was you.” I turned as Angelina approached me with a smirk on her face. “I haven’t seen you since the night of the event.”

“I see you know my name now,” I replied flatly.

I wasn’t here for her sarcasm, and she knew it.

I wanted to beat her ass for trying to make herself known the night Chandler was at her home, but I wouldn’t give her my energy.

Besides, I couldn’t afford to beat her ass in public.

“There’s no need to be seeing me anywhere because I should never be in the same room with someone like you. Enjoy your day.”

“You, too, boo!” she called out behind me. “By the way, tell Channie I said, “Hello.” Her words paused me. “He’s been in my bed since the night I picked him up from that ghetto date you dragged him off to. Matter of fact, can you give this to him for me? It’s one of his favorites.”

The girls and I eyed her as she went into her purse and removed a black silk tie. I knew it was his because of his initials monogrammed at the end. Dangling it between her fingers, she stepped toward me, causing the fellas to move in as well.

“He left it on my dresser and—ugh!”

Grabbing her by the throat, I listened as my sisters called out for me to let her go. I watched as her eyes bucked in fear. She had the wrong bitch on the right day, and I was going to let her know it was never a good idea to try me.

“Listen here, and listen good…” I squeezed her neck tighter, causing her to claw at my hand.

“Don’t you ever approach me in public about you being a man’s whore in private.

I hope the dick was worth you dying over because this will be the last time you challenge me on some woman-to-woman shit.

You’re not Barbara, and I’m sure as shit ain’t Shirley.

I will murder you, bitch.” Snatching the tie from her, I watched as she fell to the ground and gasped for air.

Stepping over her, I held my head high as people stared and moved out of my way.

No one said anything as we filed into the awaiting Escalades.

“Noemi, your brother wants to speak with you.” Nicky and I made eye contact in the rearview mirror. “He said you’re not answering your phone.”

“Take a right at the light, please.” I ignored him and the buzzing of my cell. Rosier and Chandler were blowing up my line. “Park by the meter in front of Chandler’s building, Nicky.”

Doing as I asked, he parked and turned the hazard lights on. Stepping out, I heard a door close behind me, and I knew it was either him or Luca. Entering Gourneau’s Headquarters, I bypassed the front desk as I took the elevator to Chan’s floor.