Page 13 of The Love of Priest

Masking her face with a light smile, Britain felt all eyes pour onto her. She was late. "Hey Brit! I was about to send a search party out for you." Jadey laughed lightly, evoking laughter from the women accompanying her.

Britain shot her a tight-lipped smile. Being friends with each other for fifteen years meant Jadey knew her well enough to be able to read the expression on her face, which told her Britain really wasn't looking forward to being around the other women. "I'm here now." Britain awkwardly rocked back and forth in her heels.

She greeted the rest of the ladies before tuning them out and ultimately focusing on Jadey. Although Britain had successfully endured one of Jadey's weddings, she was set to endure one more. Jadey, who was originally from Nigeria, had committed her time to having two different weddings to please the cultural needs of her and her husband Kaymen. She had just wrapped up her traditional American wedding, but now she was planning her traditional Nigerian wedding. Just like the first time, Jadey wanted the help of all her bridesmaids throughout the process.

"I still haven't decided what colors I want to do. My mother says salmon pink and gold, but Kaymen isn't going for it. He doesn't think he should wear such a feminine color." Jadey rolled her eyes at her husband’s logic. After being together for three years, the couple still managed to give each other culture shocks day after day. Kaymen was always skeptical of Jadey's Nigerian practices and traditions, while Jadey was always reluctant to conform to Kaymen's American lifestyle. She had only lived in the States for nine years, so things were still new to her.

"Ugh," Jadey groaned. "Brit, you're so much better at this than me."

Britain chuckled at her friend. She had to admit, if she hadn't pulled the reins from Jadey's grip while planning the first wedding, there wouldn't have been a first wedding. Britain kept things organized and running smoothly. However, this time around, Britain didn't think she could do it. She didn't even know where to start when planning a traditional Nigerian wedding.

"How about you include Kaymen in the decision of the colors? You want something bright, and he wants something more masculine. You two should be able to compromise," Britain calmed her panicked friend.

"Yeah, what Britney said," Caroline, who Britain had mentally renamedClueless, agreed with her, all the while butchering her name.

"Britain," the entire group of five women all corrected Caroline.

She giggled cluelessly before nodding her head. "Right. Britain."

Bitch, you knew my name.

"Oh, your mother and father will have a field day with Ms. Clueless.” Britain rolled her eyes in annoyance as she and Jadey looked around the boutique together without the rest of the ladies.

Jadey tried her best not to draw attention to her laughter at Britain's remark. "Stop it. Caroline is nice."

Britain scoffed. "And dumb," she added. "You know your mom gets heated quick. I don't know why you asked Airhead to be a part of this wedding alongside your mother."

Jadey glanced around to ensure no one else was listening to their conversation. "Airhead is our ticket to keeping this venue for my wedding free. Keep nice, whore." Britain couldn't help but laugh at how well Jadey was playing Caroline.

"Hell is awaiting you my good friend." Britain shook her head.

Jadey laughed. "I'll meet you down there." They high fived each other with shared laughter.

Britain and Jadey had been friends for more than half of their lives. The once pen-pals had dedicated their lives to being sisters to each other, and they were keeping that promise. When Jadey finally made the move from Nigeria to the U.S for college, Britain was ecstatic. Of course, she followed Jadey to Hampton University, and after graduation, they moved to New York, where Britain was originally from. The friend she had sent endless texts, emails, gifts and phone calls was finally in her arms’ reach. Their bond was truly unbreakable.

"So, what's been going on with you, Ms. I Have to Check My Schedule?" Jadey teased Britain for rarely being available. "I haven't seen much of you since the wedding."

"First off, you just got married. I want you to enjoy your husband. And nothing has been going on. Just hanging with my dad, work, and then working at the chiropractor with my mom," Britain explained as she picked up one of the blouses on display. She held the pastel pink silk blouse against her cocoa butter skin to see how well it complimented it. Not liking the look, she ultimately put the top back.

Jadey rolled her eyes. "Truth be told, I've seen more of you than I've seen of my husband. Kaymen is just always out working, like overtime."

"It's always been like that, Jadey. He's never comfortable, and you know that," Britain sighed.

Jadey nodded before taking a sip from her wine glass. Britain couldn't help but to scan her eyes over Jadey’s beauty, from the richness of her skin to the dark oak color that swirled in her orbs. Britain always told Jadey how much she resembled the Bratz doll she used to play with when she was younger. Jadey, who never really cared to realize how much of a hottie she truly was, always just laughed her off. Jadey was gorgeous.

"I know, Brit, but damn! Can I actually enjoy him being my husband?" she pouted. Kaymen's work required a lot of his time, and he sometimes spent days away. He always spared Jadey the details since he preferred his wife not to be involved in what he did to keep food on the table. Jadey was aware of her husband's occupation, but she played her role as a wife and left it at that. All she knew was that she would always be well protected, taken care of, and looked out for by Kaymen and the entourage of family he came with.

Britain placed an assuring hand on Jadey's shoulder. "He'll make time for you. He always does. Then, you’ll go back to complaining about how clingy he is."

Agreeing with Britain, Jadey let out some laughter with a nod of her head, no longer wanting to harp on the time missed with her husband. She then shifted her focus to Britain. "So, Brit-Brat," she eased out with a teasing smirk, causing Britain to immediately side eye her. "Will there be a special someone you're bringing to this wedding?"

Britain rolled her eyes, causing Jadey to exert a laugh. Britain was the definition of single. She stayed away from relationships after recovering from the mental and emotional strain Cameron had put her through. Men were the last thing on her list, but that never stopped her from lusting from afar. Britain was gorgeous. Men flocked to her day in and day out. She never found the urge to entertain them, though. Britain was aware of how hard she loved. She just preferred not entangle herself in another toxic situation that would leave her heartbroken and with an invite to her ex's wedding.

"No, ma'am, I do not have a date, and I would like to keep it that way, so whatever you're thinking, put it to rest."

"Oh, c'mon! My brother has liked you for years!" Jadey reminded Britain.

At the mention of Jadey's brother Kobe, Britain's eyes widened. "He's four years younger than me!" Britain screwed her face up in disgust. Dating younger was never her preference. She felt it would only make her feel like a babysitter. She preferred men the same age or a few years older than her.

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