Page 354 of Kentrell

She was still locked up at the time… but with how fast her appeal had started moving… I knew it was only a matter of time before she’d be home.

I was right.

And now… seeing her in it?

I had never been more right about anything.

That dress screamedShaniece.

And just like I knew she would… she wore it like it had been sewn on her skin.

“Wow!” I beamed as she lifted her arms, palms up, then let her hands fall with her fingers turned over like a dramaticta-da!

She gave me a slow spin and we both giggled like two schoolgirls.

“You look amazing!” I told her.

“Don’t I know it!” Shaniece grinned, stepping fully into the suite with that mix of style and grace she carried like it was stitched into her DNA.

“I’m sorry I was late getting out this way—Hinsdale is way too far,” she complained, fanning herself like the drive had worn her out, even though I knew good and well she loved being in that guest house tucked right behind our home.

“I’ma need me something downtown,” she huffed, like she was already putting in a request. “Somewhere I can move around.”

She kept complaining… but I could see through her.

This made her happy.

Being close to us… just a short walk away… she loved it more than she’d ever admit out loud.

“Now, you know your son…” I teased, giving her a look. “And he already said you not going nowhere.”

I could already hear Kentrell’s voice in my head, saying it just like that—deep, low, final.

Shaniece waved me off, rolling her eyes with a laugh. “Girl, he just acting like his daddy… tryna keep tabs on me.”

No… he was acting like a son who’d missed way too many years with his mama… and was trying to get as many of them back as he could.

But I kept that thought to myself.

“Anyway…” she said, giving a dramatic little flick of her hand like she was casting a spell to change the subject. “Speaking of that man… he told me you picked this one out for me… and how you wouldn’t let nobody talk you out of it.”

Her smile softened, eyes glimmering with something that sat right between pride and gratitude.

“Because I just knew it was you.”

My eyes ran all over her, taking her in, as she did the same to me.

“Lemme look at you, Miss Zoe,” she gushed, circling around me like I was on display.

I stood there smirking… loving every second of her energy.

This cream-colored, A-line, lace-overlay, delicate off-shoulder dress hugged me just right through the bust… flowing soft and loose over my small bump.

I felt like a Bond girl… real chic… real grown.

I chose cream because it felt like me. Slightly off-white… warm… soft… a perfect contrast against the deep chocolate tones of the bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen suits.

And yeah… I wasn’t a virgin—not by a long shot. My five-month belly made that clear enough. But I was marrying the only man I’d ever given myself to… and honestly? That should count for at least a few purity points.

---