I wake up to a throbbing headache. The room feels extra bright and I try to register my surroundings for a good minute. I know for a fact I'm not home but damn, where the hell am I?

The room is white with mahogany like furniture and fern plants around. I sit up and run a hand over my head, my wig is still on thankfully. But my body... I'm in what looks like a dress shirt that's twice my size and was probably put on me backwards?

I rub my eyes and step out the bed, looking around the room and notice a door leading to a bathroom. After freshening up the best way I can, I walk out the room and it dawns on me as to where I was. The corridor was all too familiar, like the house I'd been in with Christian before. I hear the door behind me open and it's a familiar face, one of Adrian's friends.

"Seun?" my face scrunches.
"Imani, you're up," he walks over to hug me, "last night was a mess but I'm glad you're okay now."
"A mess? How?" I'm confused.
"Let's get you to the kitchen where everybody else is."

We walk in to find Hannah taking Advil while Kenya and Adrian are in the lounge, they appear to be asleep.

"What happened last night?" I ask Seun who is now taking a glass of water I'm guessing. Everything around me at this point is still fuzzy to be honest.

"Please,please, please," Hannah's voice is hoarse as she stops me, making a hushing sound so we tone it down. She most probably got just as drunk as I did because that's the only explanation.
Seun hands me some painkillers to which I thank him, he doesn't look affected at all so my guess is he didn't get drunk.

But then the real question is, how did we get drunk? As far as I can remember, we had a couple glasses of wine after I walked out on Christian.

Christian... where is he?

I walk away from everyone else and wonder why what happened the night before had to happen. I'm starting to think we got drunk for fun but I knew why I wanted to get drunk. After having seen Christian in the kitchen and realizing I had nothing to say to him, I walked off to get my mind off of him.

So yeah, I'm walking into the corridor and I don't know if what I'm doing is the right thing but I do know that I want to see him.
This feels so dejavu, checking each door to find him. It clicks that the last time he was in the study, and I walk there but I stop at the door.

Why am I doing this?

I shake my head and decide to walk away. Maybe we shouldn't talk. Besides, I'd be pushing things.

I'm back in the room I was in and I find my phone by my bed; dozens of messages and missed calls from my dad. I let him know I'm okay and apologize for not communicating.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I notice my clothes are nowhere in sight. This day is just getting awkward by the second because how are they not here?

There's a knock on the door that vaporizes my thoughts.

"Yes," I answer and it creaks open. I try controlling my breaths as the body emerges and walks towards the bed.

He has a basket in hand, placing it on the ground and I notice my clothes from the night before.

"Good morning," he finally speaks. His tone is softer, inviting,no formalities whatsoever. I like it.
"Good morning," I sigh.
"You threw up on your suit," he answers my thoughts from earlier.
"Makes sense,"I respond.

We stay there in silence and he walks closer and sits next to me. I don't know why this is happening so I resort to fixing my eyes on the floor.

"Thank you..." I say genuinely, "for the suit."
"No pressure," my eyes are still glued to the floor and I notice him playing with his hands.

To say the air feels dense is an understatement. I'm literally struggling to breathe normal with him seated right beside me.

"What...um, what happened last night?" I manage to turn to him while he's in profile and take notice of his hair in a bun with an undercut... new and improved Christian, huh?
"You blacked out; you had too much wine I think? Then got some more alcohol and it also ran out so you, Hannah and Kenya begged for extra because it was your last night with Kenya," he drawls a bit.

"So how am I wearing this shirt?" I ask.
"Well, we decided if you ladies were to turn into wild ones it better not be at the same place with all the wedding stuff so we all drove here. You threw up from the ride so I was the only one that knew you enough to help you get changed into something cleaner. You wrestled me for what felt like forever," he chuckles lightly.
"Did I say anything that seemed off?" I feel embarrassed now.
"You did," he confirms, "But it really doesn't matter."

Another pause. My phone buzzes next to me and it's a text message from my dad.
Christian clears his throat and it's probably because he can see that my lock screen hasn't changed since Kenya's party.

"Imani," here it comes... "I'm-"
"Imani!" Hannah's groggy voice calls out in the corridor.
"I better go check up on her," I avoid looking into his eyes.
"Alright," he nods and I grab my phone, texting Wendy as I head out. I actually forgot it's Thursday and not a weekend.

"I need the bathroom," she burps and I know she's about to throw up. I can't take her to the room I was in so we detour, entering the room with the jacuzzi.

She goes in to do her business and I walk around the room, taking in the memories.
It was peaceful until I asked about Christian's father, but it was still peaceful.

***
"On behalf of the girls, Adrian my baby-" Hannah and I cough, "I'll start again. Um...on behalf of the girls and myself-"

"Better," Hannah whispers next to me. Kenya continues after giving us a glare so she could finish. We're all seated in the lounge, Kenya standing before the three gentlemen.

"I'd like to express my sincere apologies for the drama we exhibited last night. Christian, Seun, I'm so sorry y'all had to witness what happened last night," there is a pause.

"I mean, sure you're sorry but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't entertaining," Adrian chuckles lightly and the boys join in.

I look over to Christian laugh before his eyes meet mine. He smiles at me and for a moment my heart skips a beat.

"Hannah," Seun calls out.
"Ah ah!" She raises her hands feigning surrender, "leave me alone. I never did anything to you or with you."
"Granted," he nods, "But you need to narrate to apologize. You literally ran your mouth the whole night."

I'm not surprised. Hannah speaks her mind- drunk or not but anyway...

"Look point is we're all sorry, Seun," Kenya states.
"It's alright, babe," Adrian laughs and stands to hug her.

"Y'all know you're forgiven," Seun adds.

The rest of the afternoon is cloudy and chilled. I'm surprised none of them aren't concerned about work but you know what it's okay. Seun had some food ordered for us and all we're doing now is waiting.

The dining area of the house has a glass door leading outside; a beautiful garden in full view. I sit on the floor by the open door and scroll through my phone when I notice Christian walking towards me.

"Hey," he sits across from me and offers a can of soda, to which I accept.
"Hi," I put my phone aside.

Adrian plays some music and they cheer in the lounge area. I laugh at how Kenya and Adrian start dirty dancing and Hannah recording them.

"These people are mad," I roll my eyes.
"Can you blame them though?" He adds, and I burst into more laughter.
"Y'all want babies!" I shout from the door and they all laugh.
"They'd have long had them at Kenya's party!" Hannah shouts from the lounge.
"True," Christian remarks.

A slow song plays and it's calmer.

"So, when did you get back?" I pop the question casually.
"About a week ago,"
"Nice," I nod.
"I know I should have let you know and I'm sorry I didn't,"
"It's okay," I answer truthfully.
"I have a request though," he clears his throat.
"Sure,"
"If it pleases you, I'd love to take you out,"

***
Today is Saturday, roughly twelve days til the wedding. After Wednesday I'm not sure if the girls and I are still up for a girl's night before the wedding because the drinks had us messed up some how. I still wouldn't mind one more time.

My dad was concerned once I got home and wasn't wearing the suit I left the house in (I arrived on Friday morning in Christian's sweats and t-shirt, the dress shirt remained).

Back to the present, I'm getting ready for this outing with Christian. I said yes, and I'm honestly not sure what to expect to but I'm getting ready either way. I washed my hair earlier in the day, styled it into a low bun, something simple.

Speaking of simple, I'm wearing a baby blue dress shirt and fitting denim pants over white sandals. I pair this with a gold necklace and golden hoops. I won't need makeup because its a day thing and the sun is now out after the cloudy weather, the last thing I want is to sweat whilst all caked up.

I receive a text from Christian, he'll be here in ten. I make my way down the stairs and find my dad scrolling through his iPad, and on the side a notebook where he's jotting stuff down.

"Hey, dad! How do I look?" I sway in his direction, placing my handbag on the sofa.
He takes his glasses off to examine my outfit, "Nice," is all he says.
"Nice," I repeat his remark with a tight lipped smile, ok.

The doorbell rings and I check the time on my wristwatch.

"I'm going out dad," I walk over to kiss the side of his temple.
"I'll be going for a walk later so do communicate this time. Have fun," he pats my arm as I go to answer the door.

I'm welcomed by a bouquet of white flowers- Chrysanthemum to be exact, soon as the door opens. Christian looks handsome as ever in a white dress shirt and dark dress pants with white sneakers to match. His scent is so inviting, I'm taking in his presence and its amazing.

"Good afternoon," he smiles, "These are for you." I reach for the bouquet and  return the greeting. I can tell he's nervous but I know he's good at hiding it.

"Let me just put these in a vase,"
"Ima, you're still here?" my dad calls from the living room and I bite my inner cheek, Christian looks over my shoulder and waves at my dad who is now approaching the entrance where we're standing.

"Mr Greear, what a wonderful surprise," he beams, shaking his hand. They walk into the living room while I find a vase.

"We can go now," I return to where they're seated, my bag in hand and signaling to Christian.
"Mr Yané it was good to see you. I will return with your daughter in a few hours," my dad laughs, walking us to the door.

"New car," I point out to the Audi suv parked in front of the house, Christian nods his head and opens the car door for me to enter. My eyes follow him until he's inside.
"New car," I say again.

"Yes. I own a new car, Imani," he chuckles lightly. I never thought I'd say this but I missed his smile. I missed everything.
"It looks nice," I compliment as the car purrs to life.

The drive is quiet, there's soft music playing on the radio and Christian does that thing where he taps the steering wheel to the beat of the music . I say nothing and just focus on the road.

We arrive at an open air restaurant surrounded by palm trees and string lights and all aesthetically pleasing decorations. There's not many people here, it gives a secret location vibe.

Christian leads me in as I continue to marvel the place, we're ushered to a table with a view and settle down.

"This place is beautiful,"
"I knew you'd fancy it," he looks down briefly, and I'm certain he's still nervous.
"I do..." I smile, noticing him regain composure.
"I never got the chance to properly compliment you; you look beautiful,"
"Thank you. And I must extend the same compliment, you look handsome, Christian,"
"Thank you," the waiter interrupts with the menu but we pay no mind.

"So, are you ready for the wedding?" I ask.
"Of course. I'm actually looking forward to be a groomsman, it would be my first time," he explains.
"Really?" I'm surprised by this new information.

We continue to converse about it until we talk about weddings in general. Its crazy because now I have to explain how the pressure my mother applied about weddings made me view marriage differently for a while.

I'm happy we're currently having such broad yet insightful conversations; talking about the most random things while sharing a good laugh.

We get to eat (finally), converse some more until the sun begins it's golden hour.

"That was fun," we're now walking to the parking lot.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it,"
"I did," I grin at him.
"Imani," he stops me once we're in the car, "I actually have been meaning to talk to you since the day you were nursing your hangover... um," he takes a deep breath.

"I know this isn't even an appropriate setting for what I wish to say but... I'm sorry for how I dealt with things before I left. Being away from you gave me time to realize how I needed to heal, but it also made me acknowledge how us taking a break from each other shouldn't have happened. I- I know alot happened the day we parted and we said things but... I love you and I want to make it up to you. I am certain that we can fix this together," he reaches for my hand hesitantly but I hold it reassuringly.

We sit in silence briefly as I gather my thoughts.

"Maybe the distance was helpful," I admit,"Everything happens for a reason. Of course I was upset with the sudden left we took, but I got to understand that I had to empathize with everything going on, and understand the season you're in. I'm here for you as you're healing, Christian. And I'm sorry for how I wasn't as conscious to what you were going though then."

He gives a gentle squeeze and looks ahead.

"Car talks are always the best talks," he smirks. I smile at him in profile, lowering my eyes to our intertwined hands.

_____________________________________