Page 360 of Kentrell

“For giving me the chance to do this.”

“Well… you are my daddy,” I whispered, my voice cracking just enough to make him smile.

“Don’t cry, baby,” he said, finishing with my tears, then locking eyes with me again.

“And you right… I am your daddy.”

He leaned down, kissed the center of my forehead, then gently lowered my veil back over my face.

“A’ight, man…” he exhaled deeply, like the weight of the moment just hit him full force. “I’m just now getting you back… and now I gotta give you away.”

That broke me.

I tilted my head back, staring up at the ceiling to stop the tears from falling… And failed.

“I’m still coming out every week to see you,” he promised, trying to hold it together too.

I sniffled and giggled, nodding as I reached for his hand.

Well…That’s all, folks.

See you—with my man—at the altar.

KENTRELL | THE ALTER

Forever might not be long enough…

My mind was racing… heart working overtime as I stood there, waiting… impatient as hell… for this wedding to finally start.

Already me and my three groomsmen—Wani, my best man… Kensei… and Lex—were posted up behind the grand oak door.

Waiting on Markeisha’s assistant, Shelby, to come give us the final cue.

Soft R&B from the 90s through the 2020s played low through the speakers, keeping the guests mellow and the noise level in check.

The Refugees’ “Sweetest Thing” had just faded out… and Daniel Caesar’s “Get You” was rolling in next.

I kept glancing over my shoulder, looking down the corridor toward the grand staircase… hoping for some kind of sign…

Something to tell me it was finally time.

I felt a dip on my right side… turned my head just in time to catch Wani leaning in close, resting his damn chin on my shoulder like we were posing for a prom picture.

I yanked my shoulder forward hard, making him stumble back as Kensei and Lex both cracked up laughing behind me.

“Say, slick… you ain’t got’ta act like that!”

Wani dropped his voice low and slow… mocking that old-school 70s jive like he was auditioning forSuper Fly.

“Quit playin’ with me, dawg,” I muttered, keeping my face stone cold… but that only made them laugh harder.

“Hey, you actin’ like a real jive turkey… straighten up, cat daddy. Yo smooth, brown, foxy cold Medina is sho’nuff comin’.”

He kept going, ignoring my warning glare like always.

I was about two seconds from swinging on him—just to get the nerves out—when Mars appeared at the top of the landing with Ayesha and Stacia right behind her.

They broke left, headed our way… and just like that… my nerves eased.

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