Alex
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?” I ASKED.
“Yes.” Moses replied as he picked up the black leather suitcase and walked back into his closet.
I followed him and was awestruck at what my eyes were absorbing. The only other closet to rival this one, is mine. Everything was meticulously placed. Suits stored in glass and wood cabinets and the shoes were lined up in a cabinet almost as tall as the room. The ties were on brass poles occupying a narrow, open faced cabinet near a full length mirror. If we get married, we’ll need a house just for our clothes.
“I ask for time and you issue an ultimatum.”
“That’s correct.” He didn’t even bother to look at me.
He lifted the suitcase over his head and placed it on the top shelf. My eyes were fixed on his toned behind and biceps. Maybe he was right. Maybe more time would be a problem. He turned around and walked past me, and I got a whiff of his cologne. I think it was a combination of natural pheromones and his Clive Christian scent. God, he smelled good.
I desperately wanted to tell him the reason my nap wasn’t successful was because I was having a few of those repentant thoughts about him.
“Uhm…”
He turned and faced me. “Yes?”
“I don’t…,” I stepped closer and looked up into those mesmerizing light brown eyes. I was flushed with emotion and desire. He’s right, waiting would be dangerous. “I want to marry you…day after tomorrow.” I waited for a reaction from him, but he was stoic for what felt like an eternity.
With those words, he covered my mouth with his, stoking the flames of passion we’d both been hiding from. He pulled me closer and my body went into a tailspin. That kiss was just as I remembered. I tried to resist the fire rising between us, but I couldn’t. I gave in to the passionate embrace and pulled him deeper into my space. His hands slid lower, caressing my behind. The intensity of the moment was interrupted by his bulge pressing against me. I immediately broke the kiss and pulled back, smiling.
“See what you’re doing to me,” he smiled.
“I think I’ll go downstairs.” I hurried out of the room to the elevator, stepped inside and leaned up against the wall, taking deep breaths.
In the past, kissing Moses hadn’t been that intense. That kiss, was dangerous. It was bringing to life feelings that needed to stay asleep a few more hours. I couldn’t afford to feel those emotions before taking my vows. That kiss settled it. In order for us to make it to our wedding without a slip up, we couldn’t be left alone.
Moses had never kissed me with such passion, as he did earlier. I think if we had been alone in the house, it would have ended differently.
I couldn’t reach Bas. I really wanted him to send me that pink Elie Saab gown from the charity fashion show. Moreover, I really needed to talk to him.
I went back to my wedding To Do list, which looked like one of Moses’ short stories. Knock…knock…knock. “Come in.”
“I heard someone was getting married,” said a familiar voice. I turned around, jumped up, ran over and threw my arms around my pseudo brother.
“What are you doing here?” I pulled back and covered my face trying to hide the tears.
“Am I fired?” Bas asked, as he wiped a tear that escaped my eye.
Shaking my head. “You should be. What are you doing here?”
“I was told to bring this.” He held up a long, pink garment bag. I unzipped it and pulled out a dress.
“It’s the white J Mendel.” I started crying. “How did you know?”
“I was going to bring the pink Elie Saab, but your mother said she thought you should wear white.”
I dragged my hand along the front of the dress. “She’s right. I should wear white.”
“Oh,” he placed the bag on the bed. “ And, I brought the perfect accessory.” He stepped into the hall and quickly came back. “How about a Maid of Honor?”
“Kendell!”
“Alex.”
“Oh, my God.” I ran over and hugged her. “I can’t believe you’re here!”
“That makes two of us.” We pulled apart. “What’s going on?”
“I’m getting married.”
“I got that part. Bas was trying to fill me in, and I gotta say, I’m shocked.”
My smile got wider as I looked behind her and saw Moses. “Sounds like a party in here.” Bas turned around. “Hey man, I was wondering where you were.” They shook hands and hugged.
“Congratulations man,” Bas said.
“Thanks,” Moses replied.
I walked over and stood next to Moses. “Kendell, this is my fiancé, Moses Adair. Baby, this is my cousin, Kendell.”
“Bas’ girlfriend.” Moses extended his hand toward her. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“That’s more than I can say about you.” Her sharp tone was obvious.
“I know this sounds a little…,” Moses started to explain.
“Bizarre, insane, impulsive, ridiculous, foolish, absurd…”
“Kendell...” I bounced back.
“What? Aunt Connie called me at some God forsaken time this morning…at least I think it was morning. I don’t know for sure, because it was dark outside. She said I needed to come to New York immediately with Bas because you needed me. I spent over five hours on a private jet with my boyfriend, who barely filled in the blanks, only to discover my cousin is about to marry some strange man,” she ranted.
“Kendell, calm down.” Bas walked over and rubbed her shoulders.
“No.” She brushed his hands away. “I want to know what’s going on? Is this a joke? Because, it’s not funny if it is...”
“Kendell, it’s not a joke. I’m getting married.” I held up my left hand showing my ring.
“Oh my God, that thing is huge!” Kendell blurted out.
“Nice ice, bro,” Bas shook Moses’ hand again.
“Thanks. She deserves it,” Moses replied.
“He did good,” I smiled.
“So what’s the plan?” Bas asked.
“That’s what we…,” I started to respond.
“You’re serious about this?” Kendell jumped in.
“What is going on with you?” I was shocked at her behavior.
“Hey Bas, why don’t we let the girls catch up. I saw Mrs. Joseph taking a banana pudding out of the oven.” He kissed me and ushered Bas out, closing the door behind them.
“What is going on with you?” Kendell retorted. “This is Terrence and Paris all over again.”
I told myself to stay calm. “I know it’s a lot to take in.”
“Are you pregnant?”
“What!”
“How else do you explain all of this?”
“Love.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“So now you’re in love.” She stood with her arms folded across her chest. “When did you meet this man?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but Moses and I have been together over a year.”
“So he’s the reason you turned down Terrence’s proposal.”
“I turned Terrence down, because I wasn’t in love with him.”
“I thought you said it was because he was married?”
“What’s with you? I thought you’d be happy for me.”
“I would be if I thought you were in love, but—”
“Get out.”
“The truth hurts.”
“Here’s the truth. Terrence stalked me with Jonathan’s help. They kept that little secret between them and I probably never would have known had I not bumped into Terrence at the airport. My entire relationship with Jonathan was a lie. He was living out some sick boyhood fantasy while being coached by my ex-husband.”
“I didn’t…”
“I don’t want your apology, and I don’t care what you think about my relationship with Moses. We are in love with each other and tomorrow, we’re getting married.” I walked over and opened the door. “We aren’t registering for gifts. But here’s one I’d like from you, your absence at my wedding.”
She walked out and I slammed the door behind her.