Page 64 of The Plus One

Ace’s hand stilled. “What did you say?”

“I forgave him.”

He looked at me, but there was no jealousy or anger in his expression. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I glanced across the boat at Markel before returning my attention to Ace. “For the first time, I think I actually am.”

He kissed my forehead and pulled me closer. I once thought forgiving Markel would mean excusing what he did or admitting it no longer mattered.

It did matter. It changed me. But it didn’t affect me anymore. And as the boat carried us back toward Cancún, I realized I wasn’t leaving that hurt behind for Ace. I was leaving it behind for myself.

Thirteen

Ace

When Kel pulled Kema aside before the ceremony, I didn’t interfere. She had already told me he apologized, and I wasn’t an insecure-ass nigga. I knew what I brought to the table, and after the night Kema and I spent together, I wasn’t worried about another man taking her from me.

The reception was supposed to be about celebrating Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bishop. Although I met most of these people through Kel, I was grateful to know them now. Was I wrong for messing with his ex? Probably.

But one thing about me, I never gave a fuck about rules that only benefited the person who broke them first. Kel cheated on Kema, embarrassed her, and chose Tiana. He didn’t get to be mad because another man recognized what he threw away. Especially when that man was me.

Kema wasn’t somebody you could control or force into anything. She was a free spirit, and I loved that about her. Damn I said loved. I guess I wasn’t fighting the word anymore.

I watched from the bar as she danced with Sierra and the other bridesmaids. Her curls bounced around her face while she moved, laughing every time one of them pulled her into the middle of the circle. Stephen walked over with a satisfied look on his face. “What’s up, man?” He dapped me and took the stool beside mine.

I signaled for the bartender to bring us two beers. “Shit, you got it, bro.”

He nodded and looked toward the dance floor. Sierra had kicked off her shoes and was dancing in the center of the group with Kema beside her. Both of them looked happy as hell.

“You know,” Stephen said, “when Sierra first told me Kema was bringing you, I thought it was some get-back shit.”

“It was.”

He laughed. “At least you’re honest.”

“I’m not saying I came for that reason. But that was probably Kema’s plan.”

“Probably?”

“Shit, I’m not finna lie like I didn’t know that was her plan.”

The bartender placed our beers in front of us. Stephen picked his up but didn’t drink. “I always knew you had a thing for little sis,” he said. “But she was in love with Kel. When you said you were coming, I didn’t want you putting yourself in a position to lose your friend and still not get the girl.”

I took a sip. “But?”

“Your friendship with Kel is over.” Stephen looked back at the dance floor. “But you got the girl. Was she worth it?”

My eyes found Kema on the dance floor. She must have felt my eyes on her because she looked up and smirked before turning around and twerking with Sierra.

I shook my head. That woman was going to be the death of me. “Yeah,” I answered. “She was worth it.”

Stephen nodded like that was the only answer he expected. “You serious about her?”

“I am.”

“Does she know?”

“She should.”