Page 322 of When a Soul Cries
Sugga turned and caught him.
“You crying?”
Kai's face immediately hardened. “No.”
“You are.”
“Ma, leave me alone.”
“I knew it. Big stupid ass crying.”
Kai finally looked at her. “You been crying all damn day!”
“Because my baby getting married!”
“And that's my brother!”
The pastor cleared his throat, trying unsuccessfully not to laugh.
Sugga waved a hand toward him. “Go ahead, Pastor. We done.”
Even through my tears, I laughed.
This.
This was us.
Not polished.
Not quiet.
Definitely not normal.
But family.
Zari slipped her arm through mine and leaned closer. “You ready?”
I looked at Roman again.
At Halo in his arms.
At Sugga and Kai.
At the tiny ceremony that had somehow become more than enough.
“Yes.”
For the first time all day, the word came without fear.
We started walking.
My heels moved slowly over the petal-covered aisle as Zari kept her arm linked tightly with mine. Candlelight flickered on either side of us while the sky continued darkening over the mountains.
Every step toward Roman felt like walking through pieces of my own life.
Pinehaven.
Aunt Trice.
