Page 66 of The Plus One

We walked back toward the bar with our hands intertwined. I ordered her drink, and Kema leaned against me while we waited. Tiana’s voice rose behind us. “Stop looking at that bitch.”

The conversations around us quieted. Kema stiffened beside me and I wrapped my arms around her tighter to keep her from moving. I looked over my shoulder and saw Tiana standing in front of Kel with tears in her eyes.

“You left her for me,” she continued. “Now you want her back?”

“Tiana, lower your voice.”

“No. I’m tired of watching you stare at her. The whole trip, all you’ve done is watch Kema and worry about what she’s doing with Ace.”

Everybody was looking now, including Sierra and Stephen. Kel reached for Tiana’s arm. “We’re not doing this here.”

She snatched away. “You already did it here.”

“TIANA.”

“You made me look stupid for a woman you said you didn’t want anymore.”

Kema wiggled her way out of my hold. “I’m not doing this.” She grabbed her champagne from the bar and started to walk away. Tiana looked at her. “Of course you’re not. You got what you wanted.”

Kema stopped. I placed my hand against her lower back. “Keep walking baby.”

“No.” She turned around. “Since everybody wants to have a conversation about me, let’s have it.”

“Kema,” Sierra warned.

“I didn’t make Markel stare at me,” Kema said. “And I damn sure didn’t ask him to leave you. Whatever problem y’all have is between the two of you.”

Tiana laughed bitterly. “You came here with his best friend just to make him jealous.”

“That might’ve been why I asked Ace in the beginning, but it’s not why I’m still with him.”

I looked at her. Kema didn’t look back. She didn’t have to her words said enough and Kel heard them just like I did. His jaw tightened. “So what? Y’all together now?”

“That’s none of your business,” Kema said.

Tiana stared at him for another second before wiping beneath her eyes. “I’m done.”

She grabbed her purse from a nearby table and stormed out of the reception. Kel stood there watching the door.

For half a second, I thought he might go after her. But he didn’t. Instead, he reached for another glass of liquor from a passing tray. That told me everything I needed to know.

The music slowly started up again, and people attempted to return to the reception. Sierra gave Kema a look that said they would talk later before allowing Stephen to lead her back toward the dance floor. Kema exhaled and picked up her champagne. “You okay?” I asked.

“I’m fine.”

“You want to go outside?”

“No. I’m not letting them ruin Sisi’s reception.”

I kissed her temple. “All right.”

For the next half hour, we tried to enjoy ourselves. Kema went to take pictures with the bridesmaids while I returned to the bar. That was when Kel approached. I could tell he had been drinking too much. His eyes were low, and the way he walked told me the liquor had finally caught up with him. The bartender glanced at him when he took the seat beside mine. “Whiskey,” he ordered.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t serve you any more alcohol. I can bring you water.”

Kel looked at her. “Did I ask for water?”

“No, sir, but—”