Page 367 of Kentrell

In sickness… and in health…

To love… and to cherish…

For as long as you both shall live?”

“I do…” Her voice came out soft… like she was pushing past a lump in her throat.

Wani, being Wani, couldn’t help himself.

“Speak up!”

That sent the whole front row into a chorus of laughter—relieving just enough pressure to make her giggle through her next response.

“I do!” she said louder, laughing this time…

“That’s alright, baby…” Reverend Keys reassured her, smiling at her like a proud uncle before glancing left and right at Ayesha and Wani.

“May I have the rings?”

Zoe let go of my hand, turning toward her cousin Ayesha for my ring. I did the same with Wani, who was already digging into the inside of his jacket like he was on a mission.

Then… he came out with the exaggerated two-finger pinch hold—thumb and index finger lifted like he had something tiny and invisible between them.

The entire room broke.

Kensei, Lex, all the bridesmaids—even Zoe doubled over with laughter, shaking her head like she couldn’t believe him.

Wani had warned me months ago that the moment I found somebody I loved, he’d give me hell about it. True to form… this nigga was dragging it out to the bitter end.

“Nah, I’m playin’…” Wani finally laughed, lifting his chin and tilting his head toward Kensei—my other best man—who was already pulling the real thing from his inner pocket.

Kensei handed me Zoe’s ring with a nod.

“Kentrell… please place the ring on Zoe’s finger and repeat after me,” Reverend Keys instructed.

I took the rose gold, seven-carat eternity band—watching how the diamonds wrapped clean around, perfectly accenting her French-tipped fingers and balancing out that 24-carat blush-pink cushion-cut engagement ring I put on her hand months ago.

The gasps weren’t just from Zoe this time… A couple folks in the pews reacted too when they caught the full gleam of it under the chandeliers.

“With this ring… I thee wed… and with all that I am… and all that I have… I honor you.”

I finished with a wink, catching the soft shiver that ran straight through Zoe’s body.

Then the Rev turned to her.

“Zoe… please place the ring on Kentrell’s finger and repeat after me.”

Her hands were shaking, but she didn’t miss a beat sliding the 18-carat white gold, satin-finish band onto my finger like she’d practiced it in her head a thousand times.

“With this ring… I thee wed… and with all that I am… and all that I have… I honor you.”

When she finished, Reverend Keys smiled at both of us…

“By the power vested in me by the State of Illinois… and by the love witnessed here today… I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

I didn’t wait for him to finish the full pause… Already reaching for her veil… flipping the lace back to see that pretty brown face I’d been falling asleep next to for months.

“Kentrell… you may kiss your bride.”

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