[ Pencil scratching ]
[ Soft music plays ]
- By now, you've all read the
headlines.
"Millennials are altering the
codes of marriage, and we've
been all warned.
Millennials, dismiss matrimony
at your own peril."
I've heard it all, and I call
BS.
Look, you can blame our
generation for a lot of things,
but if the wedding industry is
in a slump, my friends didn't
get the memo.
We are all in, even if we don't
know exactly what we're doing.
I should know.
I'm a pro at bridal madness.
No, I'm not a wedding planner.
I'm a real expert, a
bridesmaid -- always a
bridesmaid.
- Together: Cheers!
- Whoo!
- Here's to lucky number 13.
- Whoo-hoo!
- [ Chuckles ]
[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Sighs, mutters ]
Mr. Henry.
Are you hungry?
Yeah, you are.
Okay. Here you go.
Most consistent male presence I
have in my life, and you're a
fish.
It figures.
Morning.
- Good morning, Ms. James.
- Good morning, Chanel.
Love that topknot.
- Corina James.
- Terrence.
- Want to hear what I dreamed
of last night?
- Not if it has anything to do
with me, Cardi B, and a
40-ounce.
- Oh, come on, those are a few
of my favorite things.
- Go somewhere.
Good morning.
Good morning!
- [ Gasps ] Oh, hey, baby.
Look at you.
Oh!
He is waiting for you.
- [ Sighs ] How are you doing
today, Ms. Ruby.
- Same as I ever was.
How was that wedding this
weekend?
- Same as it ever was.
- [ Laughs ] Oh, gosh.
You know, I remember when I was
your age.
I was a bridesmaid many a time,
too -- never caught a bouquet,
never got a ring.
[ Chuckles ] But I have my
health, my worth, my 401(k), and
King Jesus!
- Won't he do it?
- "Hallelu"!
[ Both laugh ]
So I am a-okay.
- Well, I have something for
you.
- Me?
[ Gasps ]
- Happy birthday.
- [ Exhales deeply ]
You remembered.
- Oh, it's not every day that
you turn 25.
- Well...
- We need to celebrate these
things.
- [ Laughs ] I just love you.
- I love you.
- Get in there before he starts
yelling again.
[ Rattling ]
[ Keyboard clacking ]
[ Footsteps approach ]
- In my day, it was impolite to
enter an office without
knocking, especially one
occupied by the president of the
company that you work for.
- Well, my father says life's
too short to follow rules.
That's how he built a publishing
company from the ground up.
- Largest minority-owned
publishing house...
- Both: ...in the Midwest.
- [ Laughs ]
Yeah, well, as you just said --
- I know, Dad.
You wanted to see me?
- Yeah, um, yeah.
Um, this quarter is proving
busier than the fall.
We can't piggyback on beach
reads.
We have to slide our heavy
hitters in while the book-buying
mode is stable.
- Dad, you know I can't oversee
all of that.
My new job starts next quarter.
- Don't be selfish.
Just tell them that you need
more time.
- I don't need more time.
- I need an editor, and I need
a damn good one, and you're
almost a prodigy.
- There's always Carl.
- Carl is a twit.
- Dad, Carl's your son.
- And he's a twit. Okay?
He's book smart, but he's a damn
idiot.
That boy is in Brazil right now,
trying to find himself again.
Baby, baby.
[ Chuckles ]
I just need you to see me
through this period, that's
it, and then you can go be, you
know, a, um...
- Copy editor, Dad.
You know the title.
- Well, I can give you a better
title, and I can give you more
money than the Sun-Times.
- Tribune.
- Whatever.
- Downward dog.
Just follow my lead.
- Mm.
- So you didn't say yes?
- [ Grunts ]
- Didn't say anything.
I mean, it's not like he listens
to me anyway.
- [ Exhales deeply ]
Classic nesting syndrome.
You stay in a safe, unfulfilling
job at your father's company so
that you can place the blame on
him for being stuck there.
- Okay, can we change the
subject and get off of me?
- That's the problem, girl --
you need someone to get up on
you.
- You crazy.
- No, no, no, no, no.
She needs to finally practice
radical self-love.
At some point, you have to stop
people-pleasing and please
yourself.
- Yeah, girl, when you got a
minute to yourself late at
night, run that showerhead full
blast.
- Yes.
- O-Okay.
Yes, maybe that, but, also, you
need to start dating.
- And they're right about you.
Even in college, you were on
every sorority committee, doing
the most.
- Mm-hmm.
- Trust me, it's okay to say no
sometimes for your own sanity.
- When is wedding number 14,
anyway?
- This weekend, and I don't
keep count.
- Girl, please.
- Pace yourself 'cause my
wedding is coming up, and it's
gonna be lit!
[ Laughter ]
- Well, show me some of your
poses you gonna be doing at the
party.
- Oh, okay, I got one for ya.
This right here I call
"The Lil' Kim."
[ Laughter ]
- A good marriage is dependent
upon many things, but the first
prerequisite is a strong bond of
friendship...
- [ Whispering ] Is it me, or
is this dress getting tighter?
- [ Whispering ] I love it.
This fabric's got me snatched.
- Snatched?
[ Winded ] I can't breathe.
I can't -- I can't --
- Oh, oh!
- [ Normal voice ] Oh, sorry.
- [ Laughs ]
[ Cheers and applause ]
- You okay?
- Just like to make a quick
toast.
I have known Kenny for about 10
years -- actually, ever since I
took his starting position on
the football team.
[ Laughter ]
My bad, bro.
- It's all right.
- Seriously, man, you've done
good.
I mean, you couldn't have found
a more beautiful and caring
woman to begin your life with.
So, raise your glasses.
- Wait.
Don't lift your glass yet.
- We wish you all nothing but
happiness.
Salud.
- Salud.
- Hey, girl, hey.
- Hey.
- I'm so glad you're okay.
- You saw that?
- Girl, everybody saw that.
You were kind of on display.
- I just need to catch my
breath -- literally.
- Good luck in that dress.
- Who's that guy over there,
the best man?
- Mm. That's Mark Randall.
Fine, ain't he?
- He's just -- He looks so
familiar.
- You know him.
He went to Hampton with us.
- Ohh, really?
- He's an accountant now.
Girl, he making much bank -- I'm
talking paid.
He moved to Chicago two months
ago, and he already lookin' at
lofts, girl, in the Gold Coast
area.
Gold Coast!
- Janelle, how do you know that
kind of stuff?
- Girl, I believe in fiscal
responsibility.
And your boy secures the bag,
okay?
- That can't be her.
- Yes.
She and Tracy were in the same
sorority.
Now, Corina was the queen of the
stuck-up crew.
- Yeah, but not without reason.
I mean, even almost falling on
her ass, she still looked good.
- Ohh, you still nursin' that,
uh, that crush, I see.
- Negro, please.
I ain't never had no crush on
Corina Blakeston.
- Okay, well, I'm-a leave you
alone to rewrite history.
- Ha!
- You hear that?
That's my wife calling.
Don't that sound good?
"Wife."
- Do you want me to reintroduce
y'all?
- No.
He just looked familiar.
That's all.
- [ Clicks tongue ] Okay.

- Let me get one minute.
Corina Blakeston.
- Corina James, actually.
- Oh.
You're married.
- No, um, I am --
- Divorced?
- No. Single.
Never married, so never
divorced.
I go by my mother's maiden name
now.
- Mm. Okay.
Why?
- It's a long story.
How are you, Mark?
- I'm --
[ Chuckles ]
I'm shocked that you remember my
name.
- Yeah, it's been awhile, but I
did get some help.
You know Janelle is still the
one-stop source for
headline-breaking news.
- Yeah, even Black Twitter
can't compete with Janelle.
What's her motive?
- You know, I have no idea.
She told me everything about
you, though, except for your
Social Security number.
No, wait, she told me that, too.
I'm thinking of getting a
Mastercard in your name.
- Well, please be gentle with
my credit.
I wouldn't want that chump Trump
blaming me for an economic
slowdown.
So, how are you?
- Ready to get out of this
bridesmaid's dress.
I am starting to think this
whole bridesmaids thing is a
patriarchal conspiracy.
- Oh, a way of browbeating you
into submission.
Eh, they keeping a good woman
down, huh?
- I think you might be onto
something.
- You are, too.
So what do you say?
Let's toast to the shared
disillusionment of modern-day
wedding rituals in the hope that
there's something more.
It was good seeing you again,
Corina James.
Take care.

[ Pounding on door ]
- My fingers are getting numb!
[ Pounding continues ]
- Okay, okay!
Why are you knocking on the door
like a crazy person?
- Why are you taking so long to
answer the door?
- [ Chuckles ] 'Cause this wife
of mine is in there trying to
cook vegan, and somehow I got
enlisted to being her sous chef.
- Is it too late to fast?
- I heard that.
- But I started it.
- Mm-hmm.
I'm sure he did.
Hi, best friend!
- Hello!
- You look good.
- Thank you, girl.
Damn!
When are you gonna get your new
pictures?
- Well, I'm actually gonna put
photography on hold until my
next book.
- Ah, my father's gonna be
happy to hear that you're
starting a new one.
- Who said that he would be
publishing it?
- 'Ey.
- I got your back.
- Can I be the one to tell him,
please?
- [ Laughs ]
[ Knock on door ]
- Who's coming over this late
besides me?
- I don't know.
Baby, you expecting somebody
else?
- Yes, can you please get the
door for me?
- Okay.
[ Chuckles ]
Wow. Welcome.
Uh, those are nice.
What the runner-up get?
[ Chuckles ]
- Oh!
[ Chuckles ] Yeah.
Like, a pageant, right?
- Sure.
- [ Chuckles ] Leave the jokes
to me, Bradley.
[ Laughs ]
- Okay.
Well, welcome.
Babe?
- Dawson!
- "Tam"! Hi!
- So happy you were able to
join us.
- Thanks for the invite.
- Oh, he's joining us?
- Yes, I figured, since he's
new to the neighborhood, I would
invite him over for dinner to
meet some of our friends.
- Okay, well, only one of our
friends is here so --
- Brad, can you go in the
kitchen and get that for me?
- Okay. I get it.
- Thank you.
- [ Whispering ] Yeah. Right.
Yeah. Yeah.
[ Chuckles, inhales deeply ]
[ Normal voice ] Hi!
- Hi.
- Dawson.
- Corina.
- Yeah.
I squinted, and I said, "That
doesn't look like a foot to me!"
[ Both laugh ]
'Cause I'm "The Foot Man"!
- Right!
- [ Laughs ]
No, I say that to say, in all
jest, that you can really tell a
lot about a person just by
looking at their feet.
- Oh, no way.
- Corina?
- [ Clears throat ] More
dessert, anyone?
Baby?
Guys want a --
- No, no, I'm totally fine.
- You s...
- Don't -- Don't be ashamed.
I mean, you have short, stubby
toes.
- Okay.
- No, don't be shy.
Look, my feet, I have really
long toes.
You see, the second one says
that I'm a great reader.
- Wow.
- Not just the glasses.
I am a great reader because I
can elongate my eyeballs because
it's connected to my toes.
- Wow, I never knew that.
- That's not science.
- You learn something new every
day.
- That's incredible.
- Yeah, yeah.
I, uh -- I got to say, this was
an amazing meal.
I hate to rush off, but I have
to catch a flight at 6:00 a.m.
- Oh, no. So soon?
- Yeah, I'm off to Detroit for
a-a symposium on the diabetic
foot.
- A symposium!
- Yeah, it's like a whole
podiatry thing.
It's like a TED Talk for feet.
"Ped Talks," if you will.
[ Both laugh ]
Ped Talk.
- Okay. All right.
Okay, well, let me walk you to
the door.
- Yeah, uh, Corina, um...
- Okay.
- It was, uh, totally my honor
to meet your acquaintance and
break bread with you.
I'm really looking forward to
seeing you again, hanging out,
and getting to know you
further.
- Oh, I'm sure Tamala...
arrange something.
- Yep, okay.
Well, let's, uh -- let me walk
you to the door.
- All right, yeah, sure.
Okay. I appreciate it.
- Thank you so much for coming.
- Thank you, Tam. Amazing.
And you're right -- she looks
way better in person.
- [ Chuckles ]
- Yeah. All right.
Pleasure meeting you.
All right. Thank you, Tam.
- Thank you so much.
You're welcome back anytime.
- Thank you.
- [ Laughs ] Ped Talk.
[ Door closes ]
Uh...

- [ Mutters ]
- [ Sighs ]
- Have you ever been set up
against your will?
- Why, I'm fine, Corina, and
thank you for complimenting my
sermon.
- I'm sorry, Pastor.
I loved your sermon.
- Yeah, yeah.
Who's meddling in your love
life?
- Tam!
Matchmaking, can you believe
that?
I mean, she forced me to date.
- Well, she's probably just
concerned about you.
You've been through a lot with
your mom's passing and your
strained relationship with your
father.
I'm sure she's just trying to
help.
That's what best friends do.
- I know, but it's
embarrassing.
Why can't people just do what
you want them to do?
- That is not how life works,
Corina, and you know that.
God gives each of us free will
to use as we see fit, and for
the record, that's not a bad
idea.
- What?
- Dating.
In all of our sessions, you
never mention dating.
Tell me, Corina, do you date?
- Huh?
- Do you ever accept
invitations from eligible young
men to have coffee or attend
movies?
Do you date?
- [ Sighs ] Not really.
But, listen, it's not like not
dating is the decision that I've
made.
It's just --
[ Sighs ]
Okay.
When I was taking care of Mom, I
didn't have the time, and now
that she's gone, I'm just -- I'm
just trying to figure it all
out, you know -- life, love,
career, just everything.
- I understand.
But you do realize that every
day you make choices that affect
your life.
When it comes to love, you're
either preparing to be someone's
wife or to remain single.
One isn't better than the other,
but dating helps you figure out
which is best for you.
You're in a lot of weddings,
Corina.
It may be time to decide if you
ever plan on being a wife -- or
not.
- Hi. Excuse me.
I'm looking for Miss Jenkins.
- Ah, bonjour, mademoiselle.
Mademoiselle Jenkins is just
getting ready.
- Okay.
Wow.
- Mm-hmm.
- These dresses are...
they're beautiful.
- [ Speaks French ]
They are our best sellers.
You would look magnificent in
one.
- [ Chuckles ] Thank you.
- Here comes the bride
- Damn!
Oh, my gosh!
You look so beautiful!
- I know!
[ Laughs ]
Girl!
My boobae king sent to get the
best.
They had the offer, honey!
This is $20,000, sis!
Check me out!
Are you ready for this
bachelorette party?
It's gonna be so lit!
- What do you have planned?
- This time you don't even want
to know.
- Uh, yeah, I'm sure I don't,
but tell me.
- Just think about this --
the theme is "Lingerie on Fire."
And you got to check your cell
phone at the door.
[ Laughs ]



- Well, that was an adventure,
and I'm glad you made it back in
one piece.
But I commend you on deciding to
attend.
You made a choice.
- Yeah, but once again, I felt
stupid.
I mean, why do I keep saying yes
to these weddings?
It's like I want to punish
myself.
- Love is beautiful, Corina.
- Love is hard, Pastor.
And being betrayed by love is
even worse.
Like my mom and dad.
I don't think I'm ever gonna get
over that.
- Hmm! Well, that'll be
unfortunate because your mom
forgave your father, and that
was their marriage not yours.
Little girl, you got to get over
all this anger and fear if
you're ever gonna heal and learn
to love.
- I just don't think this love
thing is for me.
- God is love, Corina, so love
is for everybody.

[ Keyboard clacking ]

- [ Sighs ]
Corina?
- [ Gasps ] Nancy!
Do you live in Chicago now?
- I do.
When was the last time we saw
each other?
Your sorority mixer before
graduation?
- Right, it was the night that
you and the dean from the Kappa
line got caught.
- Hey, well, it just happens I
married the dean of the Kappa
line.
[ Chuckles ]
And congratulations!
How's married life treating you?
- What are you talking about,
Nancy?
I'm not married.
- Really?
Well, someone said that they saw
your wedding pictures.
Well, weren't you in Sharon's
wedding and Diane's and --
- Yes, yes, and probably yes.
- Huh. Isn't life funny?
Who would've thought you,
"Ms. Popularity," would still be
single after all this time?
Hmm.
You're 30, right?
- Uh, 29.
- Which, come on, is 30.
Huh.
Life...is...funny.
I don't know.
Maybe you're just perpetually in
that unmarried gray area.
- Corina! There you are.
Tam and "D" are on their way.
- [ Exhales deeply ]
- Hey, Nancy.
- Hey.
- Long time, no see.
- Yes.
- Listen, girl, is that your
"mom van" outside, because
somebody is keying the mess out
of it, and a cop is writing a
ticket, and they towing it,
girl.
- Not my X7!
- Oh, yes, your X7.
You better run and get it.
Adis. Sayonara.
Bye, Felicia!
Bitch.
- Thanks for the save.
How did you know that was her
car?
- I didn't.
I just figured she drove a mom
van.
Girl, I always got you.
Friends don't let friends get
hated on.
- But, Janelle, I don't know.
She might be right.
I'm almost 30, and I'm still
single.
I mean, even my cousin "Toy-Toy"
got married, and she's doing 20
years to life.
- Gimme your phone.
- Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
- What you doing?
- What you too chicken to do.
Look, if you really want a shot
at love, you just got to dive
in.
- I didn't say I wanted a shot.
- Mm-hmm.
And to answer your question, I'm
activating all the dating apps,
linking you into all the meet-up
groups, and basically expanding
your social circle.
Voil. Let the love begin.
- Ahh
- Now, before I send you out
into the wilderness, we got a
few rules.
First, you need a "pop spot," an
out-of-the-way place you can pop
in and out of just in case the
date goes awry.
- I got one -- right by my
office, very little foot
traffic, discreet, quiet.
- Perfect.
Meet them there, and watch out
for these traps.
Micro-dating, aka clandestine
flirting, is when a man has all
the sauce but he's sharing the
flavors with others.
- Oh, that's easy to spot.
- Think again.
- Then there's "love bombing."
It's what I like to call "doing
the most."
It's always way too much, way
too soon.
The love bomb is Dr. Jekyll,
and, sadly, you'll soon meet
Mr. Hyde.
- Mm.
- Then there's the
"text-tationship," engaging in
an entire relationship via text.
Yes, people do that.
Don't do that.
And then "sidebar," when a man's
more in love with his devices
than he is with you.
Beware.
- What y'all over here talking
'bout?
- Girl, I'm just giving her the
ins and outs on dating.
- Ooh, she need it, too.
- Mm-hmm.
- And last but not least, the
"Bergerac," like
Cyrano de Bergerac -- dating by
committee?
- I don't get it.
- Okay.
So, you know how these rappers
hire their homies to ghost-write
raps for them?
We gonna ghost-write your text
messages!
- [ Squeals ]
- It'll still be you.
- That's better.
Four heads are better than one.
- And, also, I'm getting my
whole life right --
- Oh, no, I can write my own
messages.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
We have a match.
- Girl, your baby daddy!
- Look who it is.
- [ Gasps ] Oh, no!
He cannot know I'm using dating
apps.
- They're ain't nothing wrong
with it, though.
-Say hi!
- How do I delete my profile?
- No!
- Wait, wait, wait.
What did I just do?
[ Both chuckle ]
- You did the best --
- You just swiped right on that
ass!
- [ Laughs ]
- Is that bad?
If it's bad, it was an acci--
- No, it's good, it's good.
- I didn't swipe right -- I
palmed right.
- Same thing.
He calling. Hit answer.
Answer! Put it on speakerphone!
- No, no, no!
- Sexy voice, sexy voice.
- Hello, Corina?
- "Hey, Daddy."
- Hello?
Hello?
- Say hi.
- Hey, Mark.
- So, I just got this
notification that we are a
perfect match.
Interesting.
- You know what?
I don't know who put my
information on that site.
I don't do that.
Uh, I might be getting catfished
or kidney-fished or flat-fished
or some type of fishin'.
- I figured.
- [ Sighs ]
- So...tell you what.
Now that this catfish has stolen
your identity, we need to get to
the bottom of this.
- Ooh, girl.
- Listen, put it on mute.
Girl, listen, tell him that you
gonna come over after you had
some coffee.
Tell him to light a candle, to
bring Henry.
Y'all --
- Why my fish got to be
involved?
- Because you need an audience,
girl.
Some people are into that.
- Push the tits up.
I know you ain't got much, but
push 'em up.
You look right.
- So y'all got my number, and
let's talk soon.
Oh, and don't worry, Corina.
I'll catch her.
- [ Laughs ]
- Say, "Bye, Daddy."
"Bye, Daddy."
"Bye, Daddy."
"Bye, Daddy."
- Bye, Mark.
[ Laughter ]
- Yeah!
- You goin' on a date
You goin' on a date
You goin' on a date
- So, I finished my notes on
the manuscripts, galleys,
uncorrected proofs, and ARCs.
And it actually took a lot less
time than I thought.
- [ Sighs ]
- Well, um...
since my time is winding down
here, I just...
- You'll be back.
This is just another one of your
little phases, like the time you
went away to write your
so-called book.
I told you then that you'd be
back, and we see what happened.
You're back.
- No.
I came back because Mom was sick
and you said you needed my help.
- I need your help now.
- Dad, I need to do this for
me.
- Everything you do is for you.
- Are you kidding me?
Nothing I do is for me.
That's the problem.
- You know, the only
consolation is, is that your
mama's not here to see you just
leave me high and dry.
You know she wouldn't
understand.
- You out of anybody should
know how understanding Mom was.
- Now, what's that supposed to
mean?
- Nothing.
- No, no, no, I want to know
what you meant by that
little...statement.
Corina?
- It's just I saw you, okay?
- Saw me -- Saw me where?
- I saw you with her.
The woman?
The one that used to work for
marketing, the one that would
always disappear when Mom would
come to the office?
- I have no idea what you're
referring to.
- It was a work night.
It was late.
You were in your car, and I
just...
- Okay, okay, we're not
discussing this anymore.
- Mom knew, didn't she?
That last argument before you
went to the hospital, Mom knew.
- Okay, Corina, that's enough!
- Dad, she was sick!
Did you even care?!
- We're not doing this!
If you're lucky, you will learn
about marriage, okay?
What goes on between a man
and -- and his wife --
- And his mistress?
God, Dad.
When I was little, you were my
hero.
Now I doubt that they even
exist, and that scares me to
death!
- This is over with!
- Yeah, it's over!
[ Raps desk ]
You're right.
[ Footsteps depart ]
[ Soft music plays ]




- You did it.
- Hey, I know I did.
I told you I wasn't shooting no
blanks.
[ Cell phone ringing ]
What?
- Hold on, hold on.
- What?
Oh, yeah.
- Mickens residence.
- Let me talk to her.
- Wait, wait, gonna put you --
- She my friend.
I want to tell her the good
news.
- Brad, Tam, it's Corina.
- Hey. Great news, great news.
Can you guess it, can you guess
it?
- Why are you so --
- I'm excited, all right?
We pregnant!
[ Both laugh ]
- What?
- We pregnant, girl.
[ Laughs ]
- We literally just found out.
You have perfect timing.
- Wow.
I'm -- I'm happy for you guys.
- [ Screams ] Thank you.
- I'm so excited.
- Aww! Love you!
- Let's put another in --
- Wait, wait, wait, I'm already
pregnant with your baby.
Corina, I'm sorry, I'm-a call
you back, okay?
I think you're --
- This how you make twins.
That's how you make twins.
- So you said you were happy
for them, and you really aren't?
- It's not that I'm not.
It just made me feel like I'm
going nowhere.
- Love is a choice, Corina.
- I know.
I'm just not good at this dating
thing.
I tried.
- "Do, or do not.
There is no try."
- Jesus?
- Yoda!
- Mm.
- Ooh, girl.
It's worse than I thought.
[ Smooth Latin jazz plays ]

[ Whipcrack! ]
- What's up, Terrence?
I'm on a serious deadline.
- Yeah, yeah. Got that.
Uh, Corina James...
I heard that you were going stag
to your cousin's wedding this
weekend.
- Were you eavesdropping at my
door again?
Didn't I tell you not to do
that?
- What? No, no.
See, I was walking by your door,
and I overheard you telling Ruby
that you were going alone, so I
figured, "Why not let a brother
tag along?"
- And why on God's plentiful
green Earth would I do that?
- Because God is good all the
time, and all the time God is
good.
Damn, Corina.
Give a brother a chance.
Seriously, how long have I been
in your ear?
- Too long. Way too long.
- Good point, but, like
"Dolt 45" says, "What do you
have to lose, though?"
- Okay, you know that logic
doesn't work on 94% of black
women?
I'm in that number.
- Come on, Corina.
It's just one date, right?
I love weddings.
- [ Exhales ]
[ Breathes deeply ]
Okay.
I will give you one chance not
to embarrass yourself or me.
- [ Whispering ] Yeah
[ Normal voice ] Sorry.
Yes.
But I promise you that I will be
the best date you ever had.
Believe it.
- Yeah, that doesn't really
work, either.
- Ladies and gentlemen!
[ Cheers and applause ]
Homies and homegirls, let's get
this party started!
[ Cheers and applause ]
- [ Echoing ] The masters.
- Ow!
- Keep the light on
- Keep the light on
- They're gettin' mad 'cause
I want it now
We keep the light on, 'ey
- The light on
- We gettin' mad 'cause I
wasn't getting
- Light on
- Keep the light on
'Ey
We gettin' mad 'cause I wasn't
gettin'
- Light on
- Keep the light on
- Keep the light on
- We gettin' mad, gettin'
mad...
- You know, we really don't
have to stay.
I'm usually long gone before all
the shuffles and slides -- you
know, "Cupid," "Electric,"
cha-cha.
- Oh, girl, loosen up, alright?
The night's still young.
Here, drink this.
- No, no, no, I'm fine.
And don't you think maybe you
should slow down a bit?
- What are you, my AA
counselor?
- Don't lie
- You have an AA counselor?
- Yeah, it's -- it's part of my
probation -- trumped-up
drunk-and-disorderly charges.
[ Scoffs ]
- Okay.
How did human resources miss
that?
- Proper vetting's a lost art.
- Don't I know.
- Mm.
- She won't leave me alone
- You want some cake?
Cake is great.
I'm gonna get us some cake.
How 'bout that?
- Yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'm gonna go to the bathroom,
you know, go handle some things.
[ Chuckles ]
- Take your clothes off,
clothes off
Got, got, got to, got to,
unh!
Get it light on
Keep a light on
[ Singing indistinctly ]
- Your catfisher's profile
never mentioned you had a sweet
tooth.
- Ha ha.
This is actually for someone
else.
- Right. Uh, your...date.
Well, in that case...
I suggest you use two forks.
- I was actually going to get
one.
Thank you.
- [ Chuckles ]
- What are you doing here,
Mark?
- Well, my cousin Bryan --
he's the deejay.
Small world, right?
- Tiny.
- Yeah. I, uh, helped him bring
his equipment to the
reception...
and I stayed when I saw you.
I'm...
I'm happy that I saw you.
- Is he bothering you, Corina?
- I'm sorry?
- Is this clown in the monkey
suit bothering you?
- Wow. I'm impressed.
It's not every day you get the
double-barrel
clown-in-a-monkey-suit insult.
I have to shake your hand.
I'm Mark.
- "I'm Mark."
Yeah, well, I'm T-Weezy, brah,
and Corina -- I'm Corina's date.
See, what you -- what you need
to realize, "I'm Mark," is
when to back up, all right?
This right here -- this is my
time, all right?
I've been waiting three years to
defrost this ice queen.
- Excuse me?
- And tonight she's my
property.
Comprende?
- All right.
- Mnh-mnh.
You need a mint and a clue.
I am not real estate.
- Oh, oh, hell, no, all right?
This ain't Blakeston Publishing.
Out here, I'm the man, Corina,
all right?
Who you think you talking to?
- All right, look, I think it's
time for you to check your tone,
Slick.
- Or what, Mark?
- [ Gasps ]
- Okay. All right.
- Oh. Oh, no.
No, no. I'm sorry.
I just -- Let me just get --
- All right, look.
- Stop! Unh!
- Mnh. Here.
- Just --
- Excuse me.
I'm gonna save your ass.
- What? Ow!
I bruise easily, man! Come on!
- [ Sighs ] Damn it!
- Don't wanna miss that
- [ Sighs ]
- I remember you
[ Singing indistinctly ]
[ Both laugh ]
[ Sighs ]

Aren't I a beauty?
- Yes. Yes.
- Thank you so much for the --
- Oh, you know what?
Don't even mention it.
And three words for you --
"you" "deserve" "better."
Well, this is definitely the
drunkest wedding I have ever
been to.
- Yeah.
- I mean, even the bride and
groom are lit.
- Yeah.
But that's love.
- Has to be.
- It's not tidy.
- Nah.
- Not pretty.
- Oh, definitely not.
- Or politically correct.
- You got that right.
- But it's real.
We are looking at real, true,
till-death-do-us-part love.
And I have no idea what that's
about.
Uh, excuse me.

[ Insects chirping ]
- So, you swipe right...
but you don't call back...
and you just leave me...
just like that.
Rude.
- [ Chuckles ]
I'm sorry.
It's just [Sighs] it's been a
long day.
My feet hurt.
I'm ready to go home.
And I just realized I didn't
drive.
Terrence did.
- Mm.
Well, lucky for you, you have a
few options.
- Oh. I do?
- Oh, yeah.
Chivalry is not dead with me.
- Okay.
- Option 1...
- Uh-huh.
- ...you can wait in the car
with T-Weezy while he sleeps it
off.
Yeah, I, uh -- I couldn't let
him drive home.
Option 2 -- you let me take you
home and I come back and pick my
cousin up and his gear.
Or option 3, I call you an Uber.
What will it be?
- Let me think. Uh...
huh.
Uber.
- Well, then [Clears throat]
Uber it is.
- All right. [ Chuckles ]
- T-Weezy?
- T-Weezy.
- Huh.
- Yeah.
- [ Snoring ]
[ Whipcrack! ]
[ Snoring resumes ]

- Well, the Uber should be here
any minute.
- Thank you again, Mark.
Are you sure I never talked to
you in college?
- [ Chuckles ]
Yeah, I'm pretty sure.
Uh...I always took it you were
too cool for me.
- No. Uh, no.
I guess I was just an idiot back
then.
I'm sorry.
- Oh, you're sorry now?
What, you think that tired
little "sorry's" gonna make up
for it?
Girl, you hurt me!
My life took an ugly turn in
college.
- Well, if it's any
consolation, so did mine.
- How so?
- I don't know.
It's like everybody thinks that
I have it all together.
But most of the time, I have no
idea what I'm doing.
Not weddings.
Weddings I'm great at.
Uh...my life, you know?
I have no idea what I'm doing
with my life.
- Who does? I'm serious.
And if anyone else our age says
otherwise, well, they're in
denial.
How's this?
I'm an accountant who hates
crunching numbers.
What sense does that make?
- Not much.
- Feel better?
- Uh, no.
Actually, I just feel like we're
both crazy.
- [ Laughs ]
Well, you got a point there.
Ah.
- Oh.
Uber Black. Impressive.
[ Chuckles ]
I owe you one.
- No, you owe me nothing.
Okay, fine. You can owe me once.
- [ Laughs ]
Let me take you to lunch or
something, or...
come to a dinner party at my
friends' house on Tuesday.
- I don't know. I mean, groups?
- No, no, no. It's just...
those two and us.
Come on, Mark. Say yeah.
- How could I say no?
Let's get you home.
[ Knocking rhythmically ]
- Terrence, I promise, I bought
mace this weekend just for you,
and if you --
- Oh, okay.
So you macin' dudes now.
- [ Shouts indistinctly ]
- [ Laughs ]
- Wait, wait.
What are you doing here?
I thought you were in Brazil.
- No, I got back on Saturday.
Now, I heard that you have been
finally planning on leaving this
place after several false
starts.
- Ha, ha.
- You know you're killing the
old man, right?
- Oh, he's too old and bitter
to die.
- He's threatening to write you
out of the will.
- The day I resigned, he told
me he was never in it.
- Ooh. That's crass...
- Yeah.
- ...even for Dad.
So...what's the plan?
You gonna bum around the
Caribbean?
- Me and whose trust fund?
- You're right.
- No, that's you, bro.
I am actually going to finish
writing my first novel.
- Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa.
Write?
Dad said that you were gonna be
a fact-checker for the
Sun-Times.
- Copy editor for the Tribune,
and why are you asking me
questions if you think you
already know the answer?
- Conditioned behavior.
- Mm.
- So, wait. Back up. Back up.
Tell me more about this writing
thing.
- [ Sighs ]
So, after Dad and I's last
argument about me leaving, um...
I don't know. I realized...
I still wasn't choosing me or
what I wanted to do.
So I decided to take a year off
and finally finish writing my
first novel.
Yeah.
Writing's my passion.
That's what I really want to do.
- Hmm.
You okay?
- I don't know. I just...
I've been thinking about her a
lot lately.
Why do you think she married
Dad?
- [ Laughs ]
Temporary insanity?
- No, no, no. I'm serious.
- I don't know.
I think maybe she loved him.
- Everybody acts as if that's
magic or something.
I think she picked wrong.
And, I mean, is that genetic,
you know -- the inability to
pick the right person?
- No, it's not genetic!
Why? What -- What --
What are you worried about?
You ain't getting married.
- Why would you say that?
- Well, 'cause you said it to
me once.
- No, I didn't.
- Yeah, you did. I remember it.
You had broke up with some
knucklehead, and you was like,
"I am never walking down the
aisle."
And, so far, you've been acting
like you meant it.
- [ Inhales deeply ]
[ Exhales sharply ]
- Corina, all of your focus has
been on work and other people.
But, sis, remember, you matter,
too.
The book you're writing matters.
And you can do it.
You can do anything you put your
mind to -- anything.
Remember that.
- Thank you for saying that.
Hey. Hey. Ha! Ah!
- Ah!
[ Doorbell rings ]
- Hey. Upstairs to the left.
[ Sighs ]
[ Exhales sharply ]
Behave.
Yes. Thank you. It's new.
- I figured you were a tulip
person.
- [ Chuckles ] Hi.
Thank you.
They're beautiful.
- Yeah.
- Come in.
- Uh...it's nice.
- You think?
- And you have a fish.
- Yes.
This is Mr. Henry.
Mr. Henry, meet Mark.
- Ooh. You know I'd shake his
hand, but he and I just met, and
I like to take things slow.
- Oh, that's a smart move.
He's a prude.
- It's beautiful.
- Thanks. Tam took it.
That's my mom -- Corrine James.
- Right -- the last name.
- I changed it after she died.
I just thought it would make me
feel closer to her, you know?
- Hmm.
- We better get going.
They're expecting us
at 7:00 sharp.
It's -- It's our ritual.
Come on.
- Okay. "Pompomsity."
There it is -- "pompomsity."
"Pompomsity's" a word.
- That's not a --
What does it mean, Brad?
- It --
- Self-important cheerleaders?
- Okay.
- [ Laughs ]
- No, okay.
'Cause of the "pompom."
I see what you're saying. Mm.
Let me take that --
- Actually, that's a "W."
- Is it a "W"?
Why are you selling me out, bae?
You're supposed to be
on my side.
- My husband, the idiot.
- Okay. Well, look.
It's still a triple word score.
Add it up. Damn!
- Corina, do you want to help
me in the kitchen?
- Oh, I'm okay.
- I got you, bae.
- Brad, you can sit down.
Corina can help me.
- Okay.
We don't need the violence, Tam.
- What, is it that obvious?
- "Corina, help me in the
kitchen!
Wink, wink!"
What was that?
- I couldn't wait.
[ Squealing ] Corina!
- I know, I know, I know.
- Really, he is articulate.
- Mm-hmm.
- He is...educated.
Has a sense of humor. He's fine.
He's got butter pecan skin.
- And he's pretty sure you two
are in here talking about him.
I'm just here under the guise of
getting more water to find out
for sure.
- What do you think, Brad?
- Oh. I mean, I think you guys
are kind of the gossipy sort,
so, yeah, you probably are in
here talking about him.
- She's talking about Mark.
- Oh, oh, Mark?! Mark?!
- Shh!
- [ Chuckles ]
Yeah, Mark -- he's cool people.
- He better than cool.
- Girl, he fine!
- He fine! Mmm!
- Okay.
- You fine, too, though.
- Thank you, dear.
- Go ahead.
Go back in there with him.
- [ Chuckles ]
- Give him that -- Yes.
- Okay.
You might be doing too much.
[ Chuckles ]
- Wow, um...
I mean, you look beautiful.
- Thank you.
That's one of the only
bridesmaid's dresses I've worn
again.
- Oh, so what'd you do with the
other 30 or so?
[ Laughs ]
- Behave.
- What? I mean, she is in a lot
of weddings, right, babe? What?
- Well, I find it admirable
that she stands up for so many
of her friends.
- Thank you.
- Game, Corina.
Game recognize game.
- Hey, don't hate the player.
Hate the game, right?
- [ Laughs ] There it is.
This guy, okay!
[ Laughs ]
- But seriously, you know, I
can't wait to see you in your
own white dress.
- How do you know you're gonna
be there to see it?
- Well, even if I have to crash
it, I'll be there.
- He talkin' a B&E?
- Mark, here are the leftovers
you asked for.
- Yes, and thank you.
- Thank you.
You are more than welcome to
come back.
- Yeah.
- Such a pleasure meeting you.
I'm gonna hit the kitchen.
- Yes. Bye, Tam.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Brown-noser.
- What? I happen to like Tam's
macaroni surprise.
- Well, that's only because the
surprise hasn't materialized
yet.
Good luck.
- [ Laughs ]
- Corina, lock up for me,
will you?
- I got you.
- You know, this was a lot of
fun.
- Yeah.
- We should definitely do this
again.
- And? What was your answer?
- I didn't say no.
But I didn't say yes.
- Oh, come on!
- Girl, I'm sick of you.
- What is wrong with that?
- Because you're not
negotiating a book deal.
He's requesting a date.
Take that man. He likes you.
What's wrong?
You don't think he likes you?
- Yeah, I do, but...
what if I'm wrong?
I don't want to come across as
hard up and starved for
affection.
- But you are hard up and
starved for affection!
Corina, you are kind, nurturing,
altruistic.
- Yes! Big words!
Hit her with the big words!
- But you are running like you
always do when it comes to love.
- Yep. Like a sucker.
- It's all complicated for all
of us, but you have to just jump
in.
And Mark -- he's a great,
luscious, sexy...
- Ooh!
- Okay, okay, okay. Okay.
I know y'all mean well, but I
got this.
No, I don't got this.
- Corina, you seem to be in the
midst of a personal evolution,
and every worthy evolution is
born of necessity.
The need to change, the desire
to grow.
But you're in a battle, a battle
between faith and fear, the yin
and the yang, the light and the
dark, and you haven't decided
which one is gonna win.
So what I am trying to say is
don't let past hurts cripple
your future -- your past hurts
or another's.
- But what if the past is all
you see?
My ex, my mom, my father.
It's -- It's all pain.
And then there's Mark.
It's like...
It's like he's too perfect.
And that scares me.
He scares me.
- What's wrong with being
scared?
Scared just means you're facing
something that could change your
life, and that's a good thing.
When I first met my husband, I
was terrified, but then I
remembered that the Bible says
that perfect love casts out
fear.
Corina, you can either open your
heart and -- and risk
heartbreak, or you can close it
off and risk loneliness.
It's a risk either way.
But one has a greater reward.
Choices, Corina.
Always choices.

- Hey, stranger.
- Uh...
- Janelle told me you lived
here.
- Is that girl a bounty hunter?
I mean, if not, then she
definitely missed her calling.
- So...how are you?
What have you been up to the
last couple of days?
The weather's nice.
Yeah. Right.
I should stop babbling and
explain myself.
- Yeah.
Why are you here, Corina?
And, please, don't -- don't say,
"It's not you, it's me."
- But it isn't you.
It's all me.
- Okay. You do realize that
that's what people say at the
end of a relationship, not the
start?
- Wait a minute. You --
You see a relationship in our
future?
- Well, if I didn't see one, I
wouldn't be standing here right
now.
- Coffee?
- I'm a little overdressed.
- I'll wait.
- Okay.
So you got me out of my place.
So what do you say we jump to
the juicy part where we lay it
all on the table?
- Okay.
I'm game.
I'll go first.
In my last relationship, I felt
we moved too fast.
He lied -- a lot -- and, um...
it ended badly.
And I don't want that to happen
again.
- Okay. So we won't let it.
We'll start fresh.
We'll take our time --
see where things go.
Total, complete honestly
starting...
now.
So, what's on your mind?
Hey, hey, no.
Don't think about it.
Just say it.
[ Both chuckle ]
- Okay. Um...
I want to show you something.
- [ Chuckles ]
It's the Tribune Tower.
- Yeah.
I was supposed to start work
there a few weeks ago.
- Mm.
And why haven't you started?
- Because, instead...
I started writing my first
novel.
Yeah. This is it.
It's only the beginning, but...
yeah.
- Okay. Wait, wait.
Is -- Is this the next great
American novel?
I mean, are you the voice of our
generation?
- Uh, not our entire
generation.
- [ Chuckles ]
- But it is my voice.
- Well, can I read it?
- No. First of all, I can't
watch you read this.
And...
I don't know. I just --
Who said I could be a writer?
I mean, who would think that?
- I mean, to be honest, I-I
always thought you were gonna be
a writer.
I mean, I remember seeing you
over at Hampton at the
waterfront, writing in your
little notebook.
It was -- It was cute.
[ Chuckles ]
- You saw me writing out there?
- Um...right.
Well, what I mean is that, um,
you know, I no-- I noticed you
and you -- you seemed happy.
Um, [Clears throat] all I'm
saying is that I'm glad you
continued writing, and I am --
I'm really excited to finally
read your thoughts.
- [ Chuckles softly ]
Wow.
Who can say no to that?

- Okay.
[ Chuckles ]
- Hmm.
- [ Snickers ]
Uh...
Oh. Hmm.
Hmm.
- [ Slurping ]
- Hmm.
[ Clears throat ]

- So?
- Well, [Clears throat]...
it's good.
[ Chuckles softly ]
- You don't have to lie to me.
- Hey, hey, hey. No.
Complete honestly, remember?
Total, 100% truth serum.
Corina, it's good.
- I want to take you somewhere
else.

- Lead the way.
Tell me more about your mom.
- She was smart, patient,
amazingly talented.
Yet she was somehow stuck in a
marriage with a man that...
Let's just say my father isn't
the easiest person to live with.
- Hmm.
Must have been hard for her.
- I don't know what it is, but
the people in my family, when
they get married, they stay
married.
No matter what, no matter how
hard.
I wonder if I have that in me.
- Well, is that why you never
got married?
- Yeah, that's why I'm a
spinster.
- Okay, well, first of all, no
one said you were a spinster.
And who even uses that word
anymore?
'Cause you know I didn't mean it
like that.
[ Chuckles ]
- Do you believe in love?
- I believe in the possibility
of it -- you know, that it's out
there for everyone.
- Oh.
So, you think everyone finds it?
- No. [ Chuckles ]
Some people think they want it,
but...they don't.
- Mm. Well, I really don't
think it should be hard --
you know, love.
I think we make it more
complicated than it has to be.
- Yeah, well, you're probably
right.
But...until people start
trusting one another --
- Until people start being more
trustworthy.
- Who hurt you?
- Ah. Somebody got more jokes.
- Who's joking?
I'm seriously trying to find out
who jacked you up.
You coming?

- Give it to me
Give it to me
Give it to me
- One order for the Jimmy's
ghost pepper links for two!
- Oh, thank you.
Oh, um, by the way, Corina,
Ronnie, Ronnie, Corina.
- Nice to meet you.
And, uh, yeah, you can put this
whole order in front of me.
Thank you.
- Ooh, girl. Are you sure?
- Yeah, I'm sure.
- Okay. Protect her, Lord.

- Amen.
- Hey, uh, Corina, listen,
Ronnie was not joking about that
hot sauce, so if you're a
lightweight, you might want to
focus on the fries.
- Ain't nothin' lightweight
about me, okay?
I got this.
- Okay.
- [ Coughs ]
- Yeah.
- [ Coughs ]
- Mnh. Mnh-mnh-mnh. Mnh.
Girl, eat the bread.
- Thank you.
- Eat the bread.
- Thank you, Ronnie.
- Whew! [ Chuckles nervously ]
Tasty.
Shut up.
[ Both laugh ]
Um...all right, Mark.
It's your turn.
- My turn?
Oh, you mean to be in the hot
seat?
- Yes, the hot seat.
Okay. So, tell me...
what's the deal?
You seem like a decent enough
guy.
- Oh, wow.
The flattery is overwhelming.
- No, no. You know what I mean.
You're a good guy.
Why haven't you been snatched up
yet?
- Actually, you're talking to a
man that was once engaged,
- So you almost made it to the
promised land.
What happened?
- Well, she called it off two
months before the date.
- What did you do?
- Whoa! How is it always the
man's fault?
- Another girl?
- No. I'm a one-woman guy.
- You got cold feet
and she could tell.
- No. When I make my mind,
it's made.
I was down. She wasn't.
- Okay. So chivalry is dead.
- Well, so is stupidity.
Her and I dated for three years.
If it was meant to be, it would
have been.
I'm a firm believer in what's
meant to be will be.
- Every foot has a sock.
- [ Chuckles ] That part.
- [ Laughs ]
- Anyway, she's now married
with a 2-year-old and another on
the way any day now.
- So, you still talk to her?
- Well, yeah, of course.
- And what about your dreams?
You told me that you're an
accountant who hates numbers.
- I-I do not hate numbers.
I hate crunching them.
But I do have a plan, though.
In 10 years, I will have saved
enough money to start my own
renewable-fuel company.
- Details, please.
- Well, all around the world,
we have junk and nowhere for it
to go.
But instead of making more
landfills, we could be fueling
the planet with what we're
throwing away.
- You believe in turning trash
into treasure.
- I believe in seeing the
potential in things that others
would be too blind to notice.
Well, Miss Corina, I really had
a good time, but...
I got to get going so I can
reschedule the appointments that
I missed today.
- You think you'll get in
trouble?
- Oh, I'm definitely fired.
- [ Chuckles ]
- But it was worth it.
Life's about choices, right?
What?
- Nothing.
You just reminded me of
something.
- Oh.
- Well, if you are fired, you
can just spend your days
watching me write the novel no
one is clamoring for.
- Uh, tempting.
What's the dinner plan like?
- [ Chuckles softly ]
So...
- [ Chuckles softly ]
So?
- So...
kiss me.

- What?
- [ Chuckles ] I want you...
to kiss me.
- [ Chuckles ]
Okay. So, what, are we in the,
uh, habit of just asking for
kisses now?
- Not usually.
But, um, I'm feeling a little
brave today.
- Oh.
- Lucky, even.
- Lucky?
- Yeah.
I'm feeling like I might
actually get what I want.
- And what exactly is that
that you want?
- For you to kiss me.
- Well...
you know, I think...
I can oblige.


Bye.

Corina?
Take your ass up to that room.
- [ Chuckles ]
- Yeah?
- Yeah. Thank you --
Uh, [chuckles] good-bye.

It was so...
so...
- Stimulating.
- Tam!
- What?
You're the one dripping black
girl magic all over my counter.
- I am, ain't I?
- You are.
- [ Laughs ]
- You think he's the one?
- What does that mean, hmm?
"The one" -- what is that?
- Does he give you butterflies?
Inside, inside
[ Laughs ]
- Yeah, yeah.
- I know he does.
You're about to moonwalk all
across my counter.
- However, I haven't had a kiss
in -- I don't want to admit
how long.
- Okay. Does he make you laugh?
- Yeah.
But he's a fool.
Everybody laughs at fools.
- Girl, what are you afraid of?
Seriously.
- [ Sighs ]
That he's the one and I am two
seconds from blowing this.
- Sis, you're not gonna blow
it.
- Yes, I am.
- You're not.
Just let it flow naturally.
And have fun.
- If I stopped time
- And have faith.
And, plus, you cute, you
poppin', and your booty fat.
- Ah, ah!
- Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.
[ Both laugh ]
- You and me, we go
together
- Go together
- Best friends till the end
Yeah, you're the D to my NA
- D to my NA
- You're always up in me
Hey, even when you're not
near me
I can't eat, breathe
without you
I can't be this good
without you
From your head down to your
spine, you're all mine
Drip from my lips, splash
right there when you smile
If I stopped time, we'd be
here awhile
- While
Oh, awhile
- Hey, let's go
- Really fine
Stop time
- Stop time
- If I stopped time
- We'd be here a damn long
while, a long while
- If I stopped time
[ Door opens ]
- Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
- Ooh.
- Happy birthday
[ Laughs ]
So, what's my surprise?
- Well, it's definitely not a
recording contract.
- You's a hater. I sound good.
- No, I'm a hater, but I am a
cute hater, right?
- Yeah, you are a cute hater.
- Can we sit?
- Why are you so serious?
- This is serious.
- Okay.
- [ Exhales sharply ]
Corina, um...
I love you.
- Mark...I love you.
- I'm serious.
- Should I be worried?
Did somebody die or something?
- No, no, no.
Everyone's alive.
It's just, Corina, um...
Well, you see...
[ Exhales sharply ] Ohh.
- Yes, Mark?
- [ Sighs ]
Corina, I love you.
And I cannot see myself with
anybody else but you.
So...
will you please be my wife?

Snatch me up? [ Chuckles ]

Corina?
C-Corina?
Corina, breathe.
Breathe.
- [ Breathes deeply ]
- You okay? Water?
Water. It's okay.
Okay. Keep breathing.
Keep breathing.
[ Faucet turns on ]
[ Faucet turns off ]
All right.
Here you go. Here you go.
Take it easy. Take it easy.
There you go. Take a sip.
Easy, easy.
[ Exhales sharply ] Better?
- Why would you ask me that?
- What?
Wait. Wait.
Are -- Are you saying you don't
want to marry me?
- Why do you want to marry me?
I mean, it's -- it's only been
eight months, Mark.
It's too soon.
Plus...
I am indecisive.
- [ Sighs ]
- I'm neurotic.
I've got family baggage that
could fill O'Hare.
- Stop.
- What are --
- Hey.
Corina, you are beautiful.
You're caring. You're goofy.
You're so, so smart.
I mean, you encourage me to be
better.
Hell, you make me better.
[ Sighs ]
These eight months have been the
best eight months of my life.
[ Sighs ]
You inspire me.
Hell, you challenge me.
You -- You make me laugh.
[ Sighs ]
When I first saw you 10 years
ago, a voice in my head told me
to step to you.
And like the idiot I am,
I didn't.
[ Chuckles ]
But that same voice has told me
that you're the one for me
right now.
We both know life is hard.
But you make it so much better.
And that's why I want to marry
you.
Hmm?
- I can't.

I can't do this with you.
- [ Sighs ]
- You don't really know me.
I'm a mess.
You'll end up hating me, or
you'll cheat on me.
Then I'll end up hating you.
- Wow.
You know, I really thought that
we were past all of this.
But I get it.
You refuse to be happy,
to even consider the
possibilities.
That's your issue, Corina.
It's not your past.
It's -- It's not your parents.
It's you.
You choose to be unhappy, and
that -- that's a flaw.
- That's what I'm saying!
God.
I'm flawed, Mark.
Why do you want to be with
somebody that's flawed?
- Because I love someone that's
flawed.
And when you love someone,
you just want to be with them,
flaws and all.

- I wish I could believe you.
But you don't know me, Mark.
It's just, if I --
- Stop.
Just stop.
I get it.
- It's gonna be the
- You said no.
- Hardest
- [ Scoffs ] This is stupid.
I made a mistake.
- Mark, I love you. Don't --
- Yo, is this a joke?!
You love me?
- It's gonna be the
- Corina, love is a commitment.
It's a connection, and -- and
you don't connect or commit to
anything or anyone.
Hell, you have a pet that you
can't even touch.
- Why do you go when I'm
still in love with you?
- Corina, that's not an
accident.
That's by design.
- Hardest
Hardest
Thing I ever
Thing I ever had to do
[ Door opens and closes ]
This gonna be the
Hardest
- [ Sighs ]
- Hardest
Thing I ever
Thing I ever had to do
Letting you go when I'm still
in love with you
This gonna be the
- Okay, wow.
Oh, word?
That's wild.
Okay, see you soon, bye.
Uh, babe --
- No, you don't even have to
tell me.
So let me get this straight --
she broke up with Mark two weeks
ago, and when she finally
returns our calls, it's about a
funeral for her dead fish?
- Yeah, apparently he's been in
the freezer, and now she thinks
it's time.
- Her grief is misplaced.
- You think?
Lord, we ask that you watch over
our, uh, dearly beloved fish
friend.
- [ Chuckles ]
Sorry.
- Continue, Brad.
- Um, Henry was a good fish.
Uh, a loyal fish.
- Mm-hmm.
- A strong fish.
Well, not strong enough, but
just a good, good...
good fish.
And, uh, he will be missed.
Amen?
- [ Chuckles ]
- So, should we, uh, deposit
him now, or...
- [ Sniffles ]
[ Liquid pours ]
- [ Clicks tongue ]
- No, let me.
- Of course.
- Good-bye, little buddy.
[ Toilet flushes ]

- Ooh, ooh
- Should we get the tacos for
lunch?
- I mean, why not, you know?
- I figure...
- Might as well turn it up.
[ Chuckles ]
- Give me another.
And, no, this does not mean
you're forgiven.
- [ Inhales sharply ]
Lisbeth.
- Lisbeth.
- Hey, you sure you don't want
this thing?
- No. I am done with fish.
- [ Chuckles ]
- [ Groans lightly ]
Well, it'll be nice for the
nursery, right, Brad?
- Yeah.
So, what are you gonna get to
keep you company now?
- I am done with pets, too.
- Oh. Quitter.
- Procreator.
- That's fair.
That's about right. Yep.
- "Lisbeth" -- it is the
derivative of "Elizabeth," and
it means "consecrated to God."
- [ Gasps ]
- Hey.
- Ooh. That's sweet.
- Oh, you like that?
- Brad, I love it.
- Yeah? [ Smooches ]
- Mushy is not allowed.
I am in mourning.
- Okay.
- Sorry.
Try "Joan."
[ Keys clacking ]
Ohh.
- It means "God is gracious."
- Uh...
- You love it?
- Mnh.
- Hate it?
- [ Gasps ] Corina.
- Uh, Brad?
- Hmm?
Oh! Hey.
Tam, is it time?
- I don't know.
- Okay, okay, okay.
What do I need to do?
D-D-Do we need hot water?
Do we need fresh towels?
Oh, my God, I didn't do laundry.
- We're not gonna have the baby
here, Corina.
- I got to go.
- No, we can -- we can make it
to the hospital.
All right, here.
Hey, take this card.
- Okay.
- Call the doctor.
Let her know that I'm taking Tam
home, and I-I'll call her when
the contractions are five
minutes apart, okay?
- Check. Check.
- Okay.
- I mean, I-I-I got it.
Hey, hey, call me when you're on
your way to the hospital.
- Okay.
[ Door closes ]

[ Elevator bell dings ]
- [ Sighs ]


[ Intercom beeps ]
- Paging Dr. Mezure.
Paging Dr. Mezure.
- Hey.
- How much longer?
- Uh, not long.
They're giving her the epidural
now.
- I knew she would punk out.
[ Both chuckle ]
[ Intercom beeps ]
- Dr. Flores, dial...
You nervous?
- [ Exhales heavily ]
I'm terrified.
I threw up.
- [ Laughs ]
And I shit myself.
- [ Laughs ]
- Twice.
- Oh, gosh!
- Sympathy pain is real.
- [ Laughing ] I believe you.
I believe you.
Mm.
- What is it about the big
things that stop you in your
tracks?
[ Exhales sharply ]
- You're asking the wrong
person.
- How you holding up?
- You know, I heard if you try
really hard, you can almost
trick yourself into believing
your life doesn't really suck.
- [ Chuckles ]
- I think the clinical term is
"denial."
- Oh.
- Yeah.
- [ Chuckles ] Is it working?
- No.
- [ Laughs ]
- No.
But, you know, that might be
because I haven't mastered it
yet.
- Mm.
- How did I blow it, Brad?
- By punking out.
I seen you do that in high
school, too.
- Shut up.
[ Both laugh ]
- It is a shame, though.
You would have made a beautiful
bride.
- Go in there and go help your
lovely wife...
- [ Chuckles ]
- ...with this horrible ordeal
you got her into.
- I did do that, didn't I?
- Yes, you did.
[ Both laugh ]
[ Elevator bell dings ]
- Uh, heads-up -- I think you
have company coming.
Hey, remember...
you're bigger than your fears.

[ Intercom beeps ]
- Dr. Valentino to the O.R.,
please.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Uh, Brad called to tell me that
it was time.
- Yeah. Uh, any minute now.
- Listen, if this is too
awkward, I can always come back.
- No, no, no.
How are you?
- [ Chuckles ]
Cool.
Um, [inhales sharply] I'm up
for a job in Cleveland.
It's kind of a major promotion.
- Wait.
Cleveland's a promotion?
- [ Chuckles ] Yeah.
Geographically, maybe not,
but...travel-wise, it is.
- I miss you.
- So, it's a girl, huh?
- [ Clears throat ]
Yeah, um...
Lisbeth is the name of choice.
I was rooting for Corina
myself, but...
[ Chuckles ]
- Hmm.
I've always liked Lolonyo.
It's African for --
for "love is beautiful."
- That's...a beautiful name.
- Um...
[ Clears throat ]
I heard your fish died, huh?
- He did.
- I'm sorry.
- So am I.
- You know, um...
I'm gonna leave this here
for the baby.
Just tell Tam and Brad I said
congratulations, will you?



[ Clears throat ]
I'm gonna go.


- Hello?
- Hey.
Sandy, it's Mark. Um...
Actually, you know what?
I'm sorry. Were you asleep?
- No. No, I'm up.
How are you?
- Uh...I'm good.
I just...
Listen, can I ask you something?
- Okay. Shoot.
- Why'd you call off the
wedding, Sand?
- Mark, you know why.
We were too young.
- [ Chuckles ] That's the
politically correct version.
What's the real?
Listen, I-I can handle it.
Seriously. It's okay.
- I didn't think that we had
found "it."
I thought we were really close,
but...
- But I wasn't the one for you.
- Mark, you are the right one
for anybody.
I just didn't think I was
the one for you.
There's somebody out there who
will finish your sentences, who
will make you laugh for no
reason, who you won't be able to
imagine living without.
She should be your wife.
I wasn't her.
Are you still there?
- [ Sniffs ] Yeah. Yeah.
Thanks.
- Whatever it is, want to
talk about it?
- No. No, I'm good.
Hey, uh...tell Danny I said hey,
okay?
- I will.
Take care.


- Come on, Corina.
- So?
- Hold on.
Just give me a second.
Hmm.
- You hate it, don't you?
- This is...
really, really good, sis.
- I'm sorry, I'm just not used
to hearing positive
reinforcement from someone named
Carl, so...
- Oh, it's like that? Okay.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
- How is it working with dad
again?
- Oh, the old man is so
desperate that he's almost
acting human.
- You still hate it, though,
right?
- Actually, it's the opposite.
- What?
- Yeah, I'm thinking about
setting down roots at
Blakeston Publishing.
He gave me the option to acquire
new manuscripts, so I have the
ability to sign new talent
deals.
- Are you kidding?
- No, I'm not.
You know who I have in mind
first?
- No idea.
- You.
- Carl.
- Now, you tell me this -- how
often do you get to stick it to
your old man and make your
sister's dreams come true
simultaneously.
- Aw, man!
- Come on, all right.
I did good? I did good?
I did good.
All right, get off of me.
[ Birds chirping ]
- That was beautiful.
Thank you.

Oh, my.
- Which one of you freaks gave
Marissa that?
- You know it was you.
- Guilty! [ Laughs ]
Ain't nothing wrong with getting
a little buck-wild in the
wedding bed, okay?
That's undefiled, Marissa.
Ugambo about to take that ass
straight back to Wakanda!
[ Laughs ]
- There you go.
Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
- Thank you.
- Put 'em on right here.
Put your hands up in the air
and go just like ride...
- ...my dear friend Corina has
thrown for me...

- Aww, someone has finally
fallen asleep.
- Yeah. [ Chuckles ]
She's so tiny.
I can't believe we were this
tiny.
- I can't believe I have a
human...
- Yes.
- ...that came out of my body.
- She looks just like you.
Thank God.
[ Laughs ]
- How are you doing?
Did you get to say good-bye?
- What are you talking about?
- To Mark.
Did you get to say good-bye?
Yeah.
- What are you talking about,
Tam?
- The promotion in Cleveland.
He leaves tomorrow.
He said he told you.
- Yeah, he told me that he was
up for the promotion, but he --
he never said he took it.
- Oh, well, he accepted it last
week, and he called me and Brad
to say good-bye.
- So, he's leaving?
- Yeah.
- [ Sighs ]
- What are you gonna do about
it?
- I guess it's better to have
loved and lost than to never
have loved at all.
- Oh, no, it's better to have
loved and kept.
- You think I should call him?
- I'm saying that when you ask
God for something, you need to
be ready and willing to receive
it.
- Jesus?
- Iyanla!
She can fix your life.
I mean, God can do it better,
but Iyanla got stuff, too.
- One more, bro.
- Oh, yo, yo, yo, be careful
with that box.
That's my mom's old DeBarge
albums.
Be sure to put that on the floor
in the front.
- Come on, bro.
You know I respect all vinyl,
but where are my feet supposed
to go?
- Anywhere but on that box.
- You should listen to him.
He's pretty smart.
- Corina, what are you doing
here?
- [ Clears throat ]
- Uh, Corina, this is my
cousin, Bryan.
Bryan, this is my...
This is Corina.
- Wow.
The runaway bride in the flesh.
- Can we have a minute alone?
Sorry about that.
- Yeah, uh...
I deserve that...I think.
Why didn't you tell me you were
leaving?
- I told you I might.
- I didn't think you were
serious.
Who's serious about moving to
Cleveland?
I thought you would have told me
when you made the decision.
- Why would I do that?
- Right. That --
That would make you a glutton
for punishment.
- [ Sighs ]
So, why are you here, Corina?
- I wanted to tell you that I
got a new pet.
It's a hamster.
His name is Smudge.
See, he has this -- this all
black fur and --
I wanted to say that I heard
you.
I heard what you said.
You know, the thing about me not
connecting, the love thing.
I just --
- Corina --
- No, wait. Listen.
Listen.
I -- I'm learning now.
I pick him -- Smudge.
I pick him up. I hold him.
Lisbeth, too.
I am learning how to connect,
and I --
- Listen, I'm -- I am happy
for you.
Truly, I am.
But I can't do this anymore.
- But, Mark...
I am trying to say --
- I get it. I get it.
You're sorry, and I'm sorry,
too --
- No!
I am trying to say that
I love you.
And I get it now.
- The funny thing is, I love
you, too.
But it's not enough.
You taught me that.
- I was wrong.
It is enough.
- It isn't.
Fear is bigger.

- Who's afraid now?
- [ Exhales sharply ]

Take care of yourself, Corina.


[ Vehicle door closes ]
- So, that's Corina.
- Yep.
- She sorry?
- Yep.
- Too late?
- Yeah.
- Are you sure?
- Why do you ask that?
- Come on, bro.
It's not like you got the
greatest track record when it
comes to fighting for women...
even when you love them.
[ Sighs ] Uh, can we go?
- Yeah.
Yeah, we can go.
- Let's do it.

[ Singing in African dialect ]


[ Cheers and applause ]


[ Keys jangling ]

- Nice dress.

You look incredible.
[ Sighs ]
I have a question I got to ask
you, and it's a really important
one.
Corina, will you not marry me?
- Yes, I will --
Wait. What?
- I said, will you not marry
me?
- I don't understand.
- Will you not marry me...
until you are sure that I love
you, flaws and all, and that it
will never change?
Will you promise not to make a
commitment to me until you trust
that I will protect, love, and
honor you until I die?
Promise not to make a commitment
until you know in your heart
that I am the one and the only
one for you.
But most importantly, will you
promise not to marry me until I
have proven to you that I will
love you through any hard times
and any problem that we face in
our future or damaged sustained
from your past?

Corina Blakeston James...
will you promise not to marry me
until then?
- Yes.
I will not marry you until then.

Wait, wait, wait.
What happened to Cleveland?
- I got nostalgic for park
swings and you.
- Kiss me.
- Absolutely.


- [ Laughs ]


[ Breathes deeply ]
- It's just the little
things
- Hi.
- Oh, my Lord.
You look the spitting image of
your mother.
- Ah. [ Chuckles ]
- You're so -- so beautiful.
- Thank you.
- And whether we're...
- I feel like she is right
here.
- Oh, she's here.
- Yeah.
- She's here.
- There's something...
- Corina...
I-I want to thank you for
allowing me to be a part of
this.
And I -- I'm --
I'm so honored that you --
you asked me to walk down the
aisle.
- Thank you for saying yes.
- Or convince me otherwise
- Oh, Dad. [ Chuckles ]
We have been through a lot of
loss and pain as a family.
- I know we'll make it
through
- But through -- through the
prayers and the tears and lots
of therapy...
I have learned a lot.
I have learned that we have a
choice...
that we can choose love.
- 'Cause every...
- I have learned that I can
choose a happy ending.
- I'm glad we...
- [ Voice breaking ] I choose
that with you, Dad.
[ Sniffles ]
I choose to forgive, [sniffles]
and I want you there.
- [ Voice breaking ] Yes.
- Thank you.
Thank you for being in this part
of my life.
Now let's do this.
[ Chuckles ] Yeah?
- [ Chuckles ]
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
- I'm sure it's you
You've been standing here
without anything
- Good morning. Hi.
- I see every moment's
led me right to you
- Yes!
- But when the cares of life
make it hard to be me
I'll remember you were
meant to be
The one to set me free
And I'm sure it's you
Yeah, yeah
I'm sure it's you
No one can ever change
my mind
Or convince me otherwise
My heart belongs to you
I know we'll make it through
I'm sure it's you, yeah
That's why I'm gonna say
I do
I'm sure it's you
[ Applause ]
- Ah, thank you,
Deacon Matthew.
All right, for the first time
anywhere, I present to you
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Randall!
[ Cheers and applause ]
- So today
- I give my hand to you
- And I hope
- That all our dreams
come true
- Oh, I love, love, love
you
- I do
I do
- Ocean blue pants,
white collar, blue cufflinks
Wearing blue shoes
Was the man I fell so deep in
love with
[ Up-tempo music playing ]

- That's right.
Love this good shouldn't
be denied
When I see you, it always
makes me all right
That feeling that puts me in
the sky, yeah
Is so high, it seems I'll
never get all right
- Okay, you just want to have
some good follow-through with
that, you know.
I've been here before.
Just take my word for
doing it --
- Shh!
- Okay.
- You don't have to worry,
girl, it's all mine
- Aah!
Aah!
- Baby girl, I got it, want
it all for life
- All for life
- All for life, for life
- Excuse me.
Get out of my way.
This is my moment.
- Aah!
- Move, bitch!
Thank you, God.
- Ladies and gentlemen, can we
toast the beautiful bride and
the groom?
- To Corina and Mark!
- It's good, baby
I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know
- I got to be yours
- Ooh, I
Don't you know that it's good,
baby?
I'll be good to you
Your ex will be so easy to get
over
And I'll be sitting right here
next to you
Get high on me, you'll never
have to be sober
Just tell me where
you want to go
It's fine now
- Fine now
- You don't have to worry,
girl, it's all of mine