Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty-One

TEN MONTHS LATER…

ELIJAH

"How's JD?" Dad asks when I get off the phone.

My cousin can't be here today because of a family emergency.

"Worried about Connor. His surgery went well, so that's good."

"Hold still or you'll mess it up," Jessi says, forcing my head back around.

She's been primping, styling, and doing I don't know what to my hair for the past half hour.

"Is it necessary to put this much effort into something that's just going to frizz as soon as I step outside?"

"Yes, and trust me, Julien will appreciate the effort."

Julien. The love of my life. My soulmate. From the first time we locked eyes at the swim meet—every touch and kiss, every time we make love, every time we fight, every spoken word, the hard times, the good times, the really great times, the tears, the smiles, the laughter and happiness—has led us to this day. In less than an hour, I get to marry the man of my dreams.

Ash chuckles from his spot by the window. He's been watching Mr. Jameson fuss over the bows on the seat coverings.

"He could wear a paper bag over his head, and it wouldn't matter."

"You're a man, and therefore have no idea what you're talking about," Jessi replies. After rubbing some pink goo between her hands and applying it to my hair, she declares, "Okay, done!" She steps back to admire her work. "You look hot. Like, if I was into guys, I'd do you right now hot."

Getting up, I walk over to the full-length mirror, shocked by the man looking back at me. I look damn good. Sophisticated. GQ-polished. I also see a man who is ready to start the next chapter of his life. A man who is about to marry the person who completes him in every way.

"You win," I tell her.

She beams a smile and flips her rainbow-streaked ponytail with flair. "Told you."

Ash whistles. "Julien's gonna lose his mind when he sees you."

Other way around. I'm about to come out of my skin waiting to walk down the aisle to my man. Look into his silver-gray eyes, eyes that always look back at me like I'm the most important person in the world, and recite my vows to love him forever.

Shit. My vows.

I pat my shorts pocket, then the other one, and start to freak out when I don't feel the folded piece of paper I swore I put in there.

"I can't find my vows."

I panic. Heart-feels-like-it's-going-to-hurl-itself-right-out-of-my-body panic.

"They're in your right pocket."

"I just checked! They're not there!"

Like a madman, I begin tearing around the room in search of the piece of paper that contains the words that took me months to write. Words I rewrote over and over again until they were perfect.

Jessi grabs my arm in a forceful grip that belies her tiny stature. "They're in your pocket."

Her hand digs in and produces the folded square of paper that wasn't there a second ago.

"Oh, thank God." I snatch it out of her grasp and kiss her.

"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 can see 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.

It's from Fallon.

Taking it, I pull the tab and rip it off. Inside is a plain white envelope.

April hops around me like a human pogo stick. "What does it say?"

I wonder if she'll get over her Fallon crush someday. Unlikely, but a brother can hope.

"It's none of our business," Dad kindly interjects and guides her to sit down on the chaise lounge.

Wondering what Fallon could have sent, I slide my finger under the flap and open the envelope.

El,

I wish I could be there to see you and Jules tie the knot, but we both know it's best for Elizabeth's sake that I'm not. Africa is a wonderful place to find yourself when you need to do some serious soul-searching. We're almost done with the framework for the women's center. You and J should make a trip out sometime. On my dime, of course.

Speaking of dimes, I've set up a joint trust in your and Julien's names. Just a little something to help make things easier. Spend it however you like. And fuck you if you don't like it. Friends support friends, and you've been the best goddamn friend I've ever had. Don't tell Ry.

Love you.

Fallon

My brain short circuits when I look at the attached bank summary he included—and all the zeros. So many zeros.

"So?" April says.

My face blanches. I look at Dad, and his brow draws down in concern.

April huffs. "Elijah, come on! What did Fallon send you?"

My mouth opens. Closes. Opens. Closes. I glance down at the letter again to make sure I'm not hallucinating. I'm not.

Holy shit.

Holy fucking shit.

"He sent me two million dollars."