I rested my elbow on the counter. “I like that it’s low-key flashy. Folks won’t see the ice until the sun hits.”
Knuck kissed my forehead. “I love this shit, baby.”
The clerk folded his hands. “Would you prefer the titanium over the platinum, sir?”
Knuck looked at me, and I could read the question in his eyes. I ran my thumb over the black ring on his finger, mouth twisted. “Well, titanium doesn’t scratch easy and you stay doing the most with your hands.”
He chuckled. “Facts.”
I met the clerk’s gaze. “I’ll take the titanium, and I need the inside engraved with ‘Ride or die, Ny forever.’”
Knuck’s eyes softened behind the hard grin. “And put the date so I don’t have an excuse to forget anniversaries.”
The clerk jotted notes. “Engraving takes two business days, but I will personally rush the job, ma’am.”
He quoted the price, and I pulled out my card like that number was a casual lunch bill. Knuck rubbed his hands together, nodding his head. “Wifey shit.” While the machine processed, he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close against his chest. “I’ma suck that pussy tonight ‘til you cry.”
Heat climbed my cheeks, embarrassment mixing with affection, but I kept my voice steady. “Thank you,” I said to the clerk as he returned with a receipt.
Knuck tapped the top twice and nodded. “‘Ppreciate you.” We walked out of the store, hand in hand, and the future felt heavier and brighter than any metal in that store. “Aight, beautiful. You got that dress fittin’ at one, right?”
“Yeah, and I’m nervous as hell,” I answered, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“For what?”
“I mean… everything’s feeling so real now.”
He lifted my chin, kissing my lips. “Ain’t no turnin’ back.”
Right then, my mother pulled up with Kassim in the car. I watched her and Knuck exchange words and hugs before he got the carrier from the back seat. I kissed both of my boys and Knuck jogged to his truck.
I climbed into my mother’s rental car, nerves tangled in my chest. The drive to the exclusive bridal boutique an hour outside East Hollis felt like heading into a whole new world: the appointment clock was ticking and my whole future seemed balanced on today.
???
Is a ti nthe passenger seat while my mother pulled into the airport pick-up lane, hands folded in my lap, staring out thewindow like I wasn’t internally spiraling. “Oh, Lord,” my mother said, glancing at me. “There goes Thing 1 and Thing 2.”
I chuckled just as the back doors opened and Sia and Mikki slid in on go mode. “Biiittccchhh,” Mikki screamed, arms wide, reaching for me. “It’s wedding dress day!!! Oh, hey Ma!”
“Hey, Ma,” Sia kissed her cheek. “Excuse her loudness.”
“Always.” My mother and I said in unison, and we all broke out laughing. “I’m so glad y’all flew out. I needed this.”
“Girl, please. You got us… especially since Knuck paid for first class.” Mikki snorted, and Sia slapped her five, adding her two scents.
“I don’t know how y’all turned it around, but I’m glad. Y’all are made for each other.”
“Turn what around?” My mother asked as she peeled away from the curb, glancing over at me.
I quickly replied, “Nothing. You know how Keon can be. We just had to come to an understanding that all that crazy shit needs to chill out.”
“And he actually listened?” she questioned, brows raised.
Mikki and Sia sat in the back, giggling and shit, while I exhaled deeply, looking out the window. “He didn’t have a choice.”
“I know that’s right,” Sia leaned toward the front and hugged me around my neck. “I’m happy for you, boo.”
“Thank you,” I said softly, and I meant it. Seeing my girls in person again hit different. It had been a little over three monthssince Kassim was born, and they stayed in East Hollis for a few days. Now, we were back together until the wedding.