pure, brown skin bride | Suds 3

pure, Suds 3 | Episode 9

The sophisticated lot mingled, cooing over the engaged couple as they embraced.

TERRANCE grappled with her ultimatum. Then Lique's shaken eyes met his from across the lawn and flit away, firming his decision.

Terrance reached for Jeanette's hands, pried them off his neck, and clasped her hands together between his.

"I—" he started.
"You can't be serious," she whispered through a pinned smile. "You said you love me."
"I do," he insisted. "But she's my responsibility. Just like my momma. And I—"
"Don't." Jeanette cut him off, wrapping her arms around his neck again. She hugged him tighter. "Don't leave me standing here alone."

Her desperate hold secured his chin to her shoulder and he peered helplessly at Lique.

Their eyes connected and Lique smiled. Too sad for him to believe it was real.

Terrance placed his hands on his fiancé's waist, preparing to push her aside.

Just then, Darien, joined the ladies, and stirred up a conversation with the man.

Terrance exhaled, releasing the strangled breath he held onto, and relaxed his hands on Jeanette's waist. This was how it had to be. He couldn't drop everything to save her anymore.

Terrance smoothed his hands around her waist and held Jeanette tight. She was his responsibility now. Not Lique.

~

LIQUE released her death grip on the shawl, relieved that Garrett was distracted by her brother-in-law. He still smiled in her direction, but she pretended not to notice.

Her eyes met Terrance's again. His jaw set and he wrapped his hands around the woman he wanted to marry. Lique forced a smile and looked away.

Terrance didn't come to her. She bit her cheek and placed her hands on her lap. He always showed up when she needed him. But now, he had someone else to show up for.

She shook away the sadness tearing through her heart and reminded herself to smile. She was happy that he was happy. Squaring her shoulders, she decided to accept Jeanette as her best friend's wife.

~

"Reverend, huh?" Garrett snickered. "Can't remember the last time I've been inside a church." His smile leaned to the side.

DARIEN chuckled. "You'd be surprised how often I hear that." He massaged the tension from his wife's shoulder until she relaxed.

"Our church is in the city. You're welcome to join us."
"Whoa Rev," Garrett said, rubbing his hands together. "I'm not the religious type, but thanks for the offer."

A wrinkle formed between his brows. "God is more about Love than religion."
Garrett placed his hands in his pockets. "Maybe some other time, Rev. It's about time I head out."
Darien nodded. "That's cool. We can talk more at the wedding."
Garrett scratched the back of his head and left.

Darien smiled down at the best decision he ever made and reached for her hand.
"Dance with me, my rose."

~

Heat flushed her cheeks. LEILAH accepted his waiting hand and followed him to the empty dance floor beneath a zig zag canopy of flowers and mini light bulbs.

"Why did you invite him to church?"
He shrugged. "I invite everyone to meet Jesus." Darien wrapped his arms around his wife. "Some get uncomfortable and leave." He pulled her close. "Now my beautiful wife's blazing hot temper won't drag us all into a wedding brawl."

Leilah rested her head on his shoulder. "She was trembling. I had to do something."
"Give her some credit. She handled it well. Prayed. Used her words. And look at her." Leilah glanced at her little sister.