Truth or Dare - Danielle Allen Page 0,23

show, let me know and I’ll shoot it for you,” Eli offered. “I’ve been working on my craft.”

I put my hand to my heart. “Eli Washington—businessman by day, photographer by night. I love it.”

“Show Simone the pictures you took in Portland,” Tisha demanded, pointing at his phone. She looked at me. “He’s getting so good.”

“Yeah, I do a little something,” he chuckled, accessing the pictures on his phone.

The three of us discussed his photography and the photos. But because Tisha swiped too fast, a picture of Eli’s ex popped up in a photo, so that became the new topic of discussion.

“Oh!” Tisha remarked in a high-pitched voice. She looked around dramatically. “So, you went to Portland with Faith?”

I snickered behind my hand as I listened to Eli stumble over his words as he explained why he forgot to mention that Faith was on the trip. We got caught up in conversation about Faith when Dominick started making an announcement.

“Before you guys head out, I just want to say thank you for coming all this way to bear witness to our union. I’ve loved Chloe for a long time, and I can’t wait to make her my wife.” He looked over at Chloe who was making her way over to him. When she reached his side, he put his arm around her. “It makes us so happy to share this special moment surrounded with family and friends. I know you all have my future wife’s itinerary.”

Everyone laughed.

“The itinerary works!” Chloe contended with a giggle.

“It does, it does,” he said, pacifying her with kisses on the top of her head. He looked out at us. “There’s a lot of activities happening on the resort. Chloe listed all the free ones in the itinerary. Our beautiful mothers will be hosting a family and friends lunch at one o’clock and then you are free to relax and enjoy the rest of the day. But don’t tire yourselves out because the wedding is at seven o’clock on the beach—”

“—or in the ballroom if it rains!” Chloe interjected.

“So, we thank you all for being here and the next time you’ll see us we will be walking down the aisle!” Dominick concluded, throwing his free arm in the air.

We all cheered enthusiastically.

As I clapped my hands, my eyes flitted over to Kingston sitting with Corrine. He rose to his feet and I couldn’t stop staring.

“Are you ready?” Tisha asked me.

I blinked rapidly and stood. “Yeah, let’s go.”

We linked our arms together and exited the restaurant.

“Hey, Simone?” Chloe called out as she quickened her pace to reach us. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

Tisha squeezed my arm tightly and I squeezed hers right back.

I turned and smiled. “It’s the bride-to-be!” I cheered.

She looked around. “I just wanted to apologize,” she started. “I know nothing is going on between you and Kingston. But because you two are so close and have been so flirty lately, I just didn’t want Corrine to get the wrong idea.”

Smiling, I nodded.

“I think Kingston would show her a good time and if they hit it off, great. If not, that’s okay, too.” She rung her hands. “But if Corrine thought anything was going on with you and Kingston, she wouldn’t be open to it.”

Unsure of what she wanted me to say, I nodded again.

“Do you think Corrine and Kingston want this?” Tisha asked, her voice rising as she tipped her head to the side. “I mean, I understand wanting to play matchmaker. But Kingston and Corrine?”

“Yeah, they’ve been talking ever since I nudged them together.” She bounced on her toes excitedly. “I just want everything to be perfect.”

“Everything will be perfect because you and Dominick are perfect for one another,” I told her. “You’ve planned everything to a T.”

She grinned. “Thank you!” She looked behind her and lowered her voice. “But I’m talking about Kingston and Corrine!”

“Your focus needs to be on you this weekend. This is your weekend!” I cheered.

“And if it doesn’t work out with Kingston and Corrine, that’s not on you and you shouldn’t focus so much on that. Because honestly, I don’t see it,” Tisha pointed out.

Chloe shrugged. “They’re both hot and with both of their schedules, I think they would be able to keep each other company until they found who they were meant to be with.”

“Chloe!” Dominick’s aunt yelled out, waving her over to her.

She looked over and held up a finger. “So, I just wanted to come over and say I’m sorry if I seemed