Page 47 of I Found Love

“Chill out, G.” I playfully elbowed him.

“That’s my cousin—but more than that, my brother. We grew up together, plotted together, got in trouble and then figured out how to get each other out. I’ve seen every version of him: the hustler, the player, the‘I got it all figured out but don’t really’guy… then one day I saw this guy.” He gripped my shoulder. “The one smiling at his phone, blushing like a schoolgirl.” He laughed and so did everyone else. “I was like‘fam, who got you smilin’ like a Disney Princess…’It was then I knew.”

“Fuck out of here, G.” I chortled.

“That was his response.” He pointed and the laughter roared again. “Sis, you did something I didn’t think anyone would be able to do—you brought balance to him. You brought out aversion of him that we’d all hoped would show up—and here he is, a better man because of you.” He nodded then looked around the room. “Here’s to my cousin—my brother—and his beautiful wife. May your love always be louder than your arguments, stronger than your fears and a little bit inappropriate when Nai goes to bed.”

Everyone laughed, clapped then raised their glasses. I stood to dap him up then pulled him into a hug, letting him know I loved him, then Kenya embraced him as well.

After we took our seats again, her sisters stood.

“Well, as you all know, we’re her sisters.” China said and we all laughed. “And depending on the day, she either loves us to death or acts like we don’t exist.”

“But no matter what we’ve always been three parts to one heart.” Italy said.

“One love, three times.” China looked at them both. “That’s our little saying.”

“Growing up, Kenya was always the strong one.” Italy looked down at her sister and smiled before continuing. “The private one. The‘I’ll handle it myself’one. If y’all know her then you know.”

“We get it, Munchie.” Kenya playfully spat and rolled her eyes causing us all to laugh.

“Seriously though, that’s who she’s always been, so when she started acting… weird, we noticed.”

“We were on the phone, like what orwhohas gotten into our sister because blushing at her phone, cancelling plans and laughing period wasnot her.” China giggled.

“Tootie, move along.” Kenya joked.

“Okay, okay.” Her sister laughed then Italy started again.

“So when we found out about Chez, we watched his a—behindbecause duh, he was messing with our sister.” China smiled. “But we watched Yaya more. The softness. The ways shestarted trusting. The way she allowed herself to be loved. That was when we knew you weren’t just someone new. You werethe one.”

“You made space for her to be strong and vulnerable.” China looked at me. “You matched her energy. You never tried to dim her light. You stood next to her—even when she was being a brat, and that’s what she needed. Someone that was going to be there for her even when she didn’t want them to be.”

“So from your sisters—her built in best friends and sometimes body guards—we just want to say thank you, Sanchez.” Italy gave me a nod.

“And Yaya—sis, we love you.” China gave her a nod. “You deserve every ounce of this happiness, and we’re so proud of the woman, the wife and the mother you’ve become.”

The two of them lifted their glasses together and said in unison, “to family. To forever. And to the kind of love that makes you better. We love you both. Cheers.”

Everyone lifted their glasses to drink again, then Kenya and I stood to embrace her sisters.

Midnite and Roland came out to let us know that dinner was about to be served and that was cool because everyone needed to eat so they could enjoy the open bar. I ain’t need nobody getting sick or no shit when the festivities popped off.

Nai moseyed her way over to me and posted up on the table in front of me so that we could eat together. Of course her little ass ended up eating all of my food so they had to bring another plate so that I could actually eat myself.

“Ay, you knew y’all fans said this shit when we turned them on?” Hulk asked, turning on his small fan. When it started to spin, I read “Dailey Forever’ in neon lights. “That shit fye right?” He grinned.

“Yeah, nigga, it is.” I laughed.

“Naw, give me my shit.” He snatched it. “This yo’ weddin’ you should have plenty.”

“Aight, G, I ain’t tryin’ to keep ya lil’ fan, relax.” I chuckled.

“Man, please look at Tiny.” He pointed while laughing. He was drinking out of a big ass coconut or some shit.

“Oh, those are so cute.” Kenya said. “Tell him to let me see.”

I called out for him and waved him over when he looked.

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