The gowns were breathtaking. All they could do was stare with their mouth’s wide open in awe. Mrs. Wang’s fall 2011 collection was to die for. Dylan was like a kid in a candy store. She couldn’t wait to try on as many dresses as possible. Tee-Tee felt the exact same way. An hour later, they’d had a full fashion show, but Dylan still hadn’t found the perfect dress.
She didn’t want your typical run-of-the mill gown. She wanted something whimsical, glamorous, and totally unexpected. She wanted to stand out. Then it happened. Mrs. Wang herself entered the room. Dylan had to place her hand on the wall to steady herself in case she became faint.
“I have the perfect dress for you,” Vera smiled as one of her consultants revealed the gown Dylan had been dreaming of.
Within seconds, Dylan was dressed and zipped up. Tears filled her eyes as she stepped out of the dressing room. Billie covered her mouth and instantly started to cry.
“You better work, bitch!” Tee-Tee gave three snaps in a
z
formation.
“Dylan, you look beautiful.” Billie hugged her.
“Do I really?” She stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself.
“Yes.”
And Billie was right. The dress was everything that Dylan wanted, and more. It was playful, romantic, and very high fashion. This was it. She didn’t have to try on another thing. This was the one.
“I think you need to rock your hair in a supertight chignon.” Tee-Tee surveyed her up close. “Ooh, and a smokey eye will set this dress off right.”
“I agree,” Dylan replied as she heard her cell phone ring.
“Someone hand me my phone, please.”
Billie went inside of Dylan’s purse and took out her phone.
“It’s Angel,” she said, handing the phone to Dylan.
Feeling like her secret had been exposed, Dylan quickly took the phone and sent his call to voice mail. He’d been calling her nonstop since they slept together, but Dylan just couldn’t bear talking to him or see him. When he came to pick up Mason, she made it her business to be gone and for her assistant to interact with him. In order to adjust to her new life, Dylan had to keep her distance. If she came in contact with Angel, she’d have to face reality, and the reality of them being together was too far-fetched. She was marrying someone else, and she couldn’t just break off her engagement without hurting Cruz in the process. She cared for him too much to do that to him.
“I’ll call him back later.” She tried to play it off.
Never missing a beat, Billie walked up behind Dylan and looked at her through the mirror. “You’re going to make an exquisite bride.”
“Thanks, luv,” Dylan beamed.
“You know I always thought . . . we’d be picking out dresses for you to marry my brother.” Billie toyed with the fabric of Dylan’s veil.
“Really?” Dylan spun around, shocked.
“I’m not gonna lie. At first, I was like, hell, no, this will never work, but after you got pregnant, I saw a difference in you. And I realized how much you really loved him. I mean, I always knew how much he loved you, but just seeing it from both sides was huge to me. So I say all of that to say,” she looked Dylan square in the eyes, “are you
really
sure want to marry Cruz? ’Cause this is a huge decision you’re making.”
Dylan wanted desperately to tell her friend how she really felt, but if she let her feelings out to even one soul, her tower of cards would come crumbling down. She had to stand by her decision. She couldn’t keep on beating a dead horse in the head. She and Angel were over. History.
“I know.” Dylan turned back around and looked down. “And yeah, I’m . . . sure.” She looked up. “Cruz is a good guy. It started off rocky, but he’s good for me.”
Billie could tell Dylan wasn’t telling the truth, but she wasn’t going to press the issue. If marrying Cruz was what she really wanted, then she’d be happy for her no matter what.
“Then that’s that. I’m gonna shut my mouth and support you 100 percent.” Billie zipped her lips and threw away the key.
“Thank you.” Dylan gave her a quick smile.
“Now, let’s try on some veils.” Billie patted her on the butt.
“Yea!” Dylan jumped up and down with glee.
“I’ve got a tight grip on reality but I can’t let go of what’s in front of me here.”
Paramore, “The Only Exception”
22
After a full month of picking out table linens, a DJ, lighting, flowers, and more, all of the planning was done. It was the night before Dylan’s wedding. She and Cruz, along with their immediate family and friends, were joined together at Lola’s for their rehearsal dinner. Lola had become a special place for them. It was where Dylan and Cruz had their first official date and fell in love.
Everyone in attendance sat together at a long rectangle-shaped table feasting on everything from mussels, Smoked Salmon Carpaccio, and Cobb Salad. There was an open bar so guests devoured bottles of wine and champagne. The atmosphere was cheerful. Excitement filled the air. Cruz hadn’t been able to keep his hands off Dylan the entire night, he was so excited.
Dylan was excited too. After meeting Cruz’s family and seeing how warm and accepting they were, the weight on her shoulders melted away. In less than twenty-four hours, she would be Mrs. Javier Nathanial Cruz, and for the first time since their engagement, she was content with that. Apparently Angel had accepted it too because the phone calls had stopped. When they did, Dylan’s whole world shut down. That feeling of it really being over ate her up to the core, but she soon came to terms that it was for their own good. They couldn’t keep on going round and round in circles. Someone had to let go eventually.
“I’d like to make a toast.” Bernard stood up with a glass of champagne in his hand. “Through my wife, Dylan, you have become a great friend to me. You’re like my little sister, and I love you, word up. But I would like to dedicate this toast to my ride-or-die chick, Teyana.” He looked down into Tee-Tee’s face.
“Lately, we’ve been fighting a lot, and it’s all because of me. At first, I was being stubborn, but I understand how you feel, Ma, for real. That’s why . . .” he reached down for Tee-Tee’s hand and pulled him, “I wanted to do this.” Bernard took Tee-Tee into his tattoo-covered arms and planted a juicy kiss on his lips.
“All right!” Dylan clapped her hands along with everyone else.
“Oh, Bernard . . .” Tee-Tee hit him playfully on the chest. “You really
do
love me.”
“You my boo, girl.” He kissed him once more.
“That was so cute,” Dylan smiled.
“You’re cute.” Cruz gave her a loving kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you.” She touched the side of his face and kissed him back on the lips.
“Did I tell you how stunning you look tonight?” He pressed his forehead against her’s.
“Yes,” she giggled. “And if you want me to continue lookin’ this way, I’ma have to go to the powder room and freshen up.”
“Go ’head and do yo’ thang.” Cruz stood up and pulled out her chair.
Dylan picked up her purse and walked toward the restroom. Strolling through the crowd, she eased her way up the stairs when all of the air in her lungs evaporated. Her eyes had grown to the size of saucers. It was as if she’d seen a ghost. Angel was coming her way.
For a second, she thought about turning around and running. But where would she run to? With nowhere to run or hide, Dylan stared at him. Their eyes instantly locked. Dylan swallowed hard. Goose bumps covered her arms. She felt trapped.
Time stood still as Angel inched closer and closer. The flame that stayed lit for him in the pit of her stomach was turning into a raging fire. Everything about him was decadent and alluring, from his bald head, to the toothpick that hung from the corner of his mouth, down to his size eleven feet. His whole swag was off the meter. Angel captivated every woman’s attention in the room, whether they were with their man or not. He made the Crooks and Castles sweatshirt, crisp, dark blue denim jeans, and six and a half-inch wheat Tims he donned look effortless.
And, yes, Angel knew he had no business just poppin’ up unannounced. But he had to see Dylan one more time before their lives changed forever. She was his, and he was willing to make a fool out of himself if need be in order for her to see that his words were true.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” His tone was low but commanding.
“Umm . . .” Dylan looked over her shoulder to make sure the coast was clear.
“Yeah,” she replied, seeing that it was.
Since privacy was of the essence, Angel led her inside the ladies’ restroom and locked the door behind them. The entire restroom was the color black and the lighting was dim.
“What are you doing here?” she questioned, perturbed.
“You wouldn’t answer any of my calls, so I decided to cut out the middle man and step to you directly,” Angel said firmly.
“But I’m having my rehearsal dinner for my wedding,” Dylan stressed. “My fiancé is a few steps away. I can’t deal with this shit right now.” She paced back and forth, frantic.
“Well, when?” Angel interrogated. “You can’t keep on runnin’ away from what happened.”
“You can’t tell me what to do,” Dylan snapped defiantly.
“Seriously, Dylan.”
“I am being serious. I’m gettin’ married tomorrow. What about that don’t you understand?” she questioned, about to flip.
“You don’t wanna marry that man. I mean, he cool and all. But he ain’t me.”
“Why would I go through all of this, then, if I didn’t really want to marry him?” Dylan retorted indignantly.
“You tell me,” Angel responded coolly.
Dylan stood silent. She knew the answer to her own question. She wanted to prove to herself that she could move on too. That she was loveable and not the same tainted woman from years before. But somehow, the rug had come out from underneath her, and she now floated on clouds made of air.
“What exactly is it that you want from me, Angel?” Dylan asked, fed up.
“You already know.” Angel leaned against the wall.
“Know what? That we’ve been going back and forth doing this same, tired, two-step for two and half years now? Well, guess what? My fuckin’ feet hurt, and I’m over it!”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do.” Dylan tried to convince herself.
“No, you don’t, so stop pretending like you do. You love me just like I love you.”
“I gotta go. Cruz is waiting on me.” Dylan turned to walk away.
“Come here,” Angel ordered.
“What is it, Angel?” Dylan stomped her foot like a child.
Angel stepped into her personal space and gazed down upon her face. “I love you, and there’s no way gettin’ around that. You’re my baby.”
“No, I’m not.” Tears flooded Dylan’s eyes.
“Yes, you are. I want you back. I want me, you, and Mason to be a family for real.”
Dylan’s heart dropped to her knees. “I can’t do this. I gotta go.” She turned around.
“Where you going?” Angel grabbed her forcefully by the arm and pulled her into his embrace.
“Let me go. You’re hurtin’ me.” Dylan tried to pull away.
“No.” Angel leaned down and tried to kiss her.
“Are you crazy?” Dylan yanked her head back.
“What you think?” Angel attempted to kiss her once more.
“You’re not gon’ keep doing this to me! You’re not gon’ keep building me up just to let me crash back down!” She pounded her fist into his chest.
“I won’t,” he promised.
“Yes, you will! ’Cause as soon as I do or say something that reminds you of what I did, you’re gonna push me away again!”
“I’m over that shit, I swear to God.” Angel softly kissed her neck.
“Bullshit. Get off of me.” Dylan placed her hands on his chest and pushed him.
“I love you.” Angel ignored her protest and kissed her lips intensely.
Weighed down by the commitment she made to Cruz and love she kept locked away for Angel, she slapped him. But her hit only invigorated Angel. As Dylan tried to strike him yet again, Angel restrained her by grabbing each of her arms. Not one to back down from a fight, Dylan did her best to break loose from his grasp, but her attempts were futile. Angel was ten times her size and twenty times stronger.
“Just let me go,” Dylan begged, still trying to escape.
Using brute force, Angel lifted Dylan up and held her in his arms. His hands rested on her butt as he sat her down on the sink. Dylan tried to force him off of her, but the cream building between her thighs caused her to stop putting up a fight. Then their mouths met. At first, their kiss was rough, but after a brief moment, their mouths formed an untamed rhythm.
Caught up in the sweetness of his tongue, Dylan parted her thighs, allowing him to come closer. This shit was crazy. She wished that she could stay there with him in between her thighs forever. Angel knew just what she liked. She could almost feel him biting the lips of her pussy as she screamed out his name. Dylan wanted to do everything her body was yearning for, but a loud knock on the door brought her back to reality.
“Dylan, you a’ight?” Cruz asked, concerned.
Dylan stared at Angel with fear in her eyes. “I’ll be out in just a minute!” she answered, never taking her eyes off him.
“I’ma wait on you out here.”
“Okay.”
Dylan dropped her hands down to her side.
“You don’t have to do this,” Angel finally said.
Dylan didn’t utter a word. The tears that slid down her cheeks relayed her emotions. Closing her eyes, she licked her bottom lip. She could still taste Angel on her tongue. Everything inside her was saying stay there with him, but the man outside the door needed her more. Closing her legs, Dylan picked up her purse and hopped down.
Angel stood back and watched her with tears in his eyes. He wasn’t the type of dude to cry, but Dylan was breaking his heart. If it were any other woman, he would’ve loved her, left her, and moved on to the next one, but Dylan was different. She was his baby, his rib, the mother of his child. He couldn’t just let her walk away without giving it his all. But now, her decision was final. Cruz was who she had chosen.
Dylan stood at the door with her hand on the handle. This was it. If she walked out the door, her choice would be set in stone. Choosing what was right over her own selfish desires, Dylan plastered on a fake smile and pulled the door back and walked through.
“Time to get up, Chunky!” Candy turned on the lights inside Dylan’s bedroom.
“Huh?” Dylan opened her eyes in a daze. It had taken her forever to fall asleep. All night she kept thinking about Angel.
“Why do I have to get up?” Dylan pulled the covers up over her head.
“Umm . . .’cause it’s your wedding day. The most important day in our lives.” Candy snatched the covers back.
“You mean
my
life, don’t you?” Dylan said in a sarcastic tone.
“I know what I said. Now here.” Candy set a tray on Dylan’s lap with a silver dome on top.
“Eat up.” She lifted the lid and revealed a bottle of Jack. “Breakfast of champions!”
“You never cease to amaze me,” Dylan huffed, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Where my baby at?” Dylan sat up and stretched her arms.
“Clyde in there playin’ wit’ ’em. Oh, before I forget, I also got you this.” Candy handed Dylan a long jewelry box.
Dylan’s eyes sparkled as she opened it. Inside the box was her grandmother Dahl’s vintage Chanel bracelet.
“Candy!” Dylan cooed, becoming misty eyed.
“Don’t go gettin’ all sappy. It’s just jewelry.” Candy downplayed her token of affection.
“It’s gorgeous though. Thank you.” Dylan gave Candy a warm smile.
“Yeah, yeah, enough of that. Eat up. Your hairstylist and makeup artist will be here soon.”
By midafternoon, Dylan was dressed and at the church. She and Cruz were having a Latin Catholic ceremony because of his family’s faith. Seated in a chair, Dylan tapped her foot anxiously. She wondered if everyone could see on her face the panic she felt on the inside. All morning long she’d been trying to keep it together, but the closer the ceremony came, the more she unraveled.
“Girl, it’s a full house out there!” Tee-Tee pranced in the room dressed in his caramel-colored bridesmaid gown.
“Really?”
“Girl, yeah. I can’t wait to get this show on the road.” He snapped his fingers.
“Well, it’s time,” Mindy Weiss, Dylan’s wedding planner, said.
“All right now!” Tee-Tee tooted his lips and popped his booty.
“Where’s Billie?” Dylan looked around.
“Right here, darling.” Billie waved, coming into the room.
“Can you all just give me a minute please?” Dylan’s voice cracked.
“Sure, sweet thang.” Tee-Tee rubbed her back, then left.
Billie grabbed her bouquet and turned to leave as well.
“Ah, uh, not you, Billie. You stay.” Dylan clutched her hands together tightly.