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He hadn’t taken out any notes, and he gazed evenly at her as he spoke in a clear, just-loud-enough voice. “My love for you is simple, but it feels complex. I would give up anything to be with you. Sleep, time fishing, and yes, my outdoor kitchen.”

A tear leaked out of the corner of her eye. She honestly wasn’t sure why she’d been so blessed to have him in her life. West had been so good to her too, and she really wanted this happiness and level of care for all of her friends, especially Lauren.

“Since I’m simple, I didn’t prepare anything too long. I love you. I love your children and your dog, because you love them so much. What’s important to you is important to me. I know you feel the same about me, and I hope we can work together to make each other happy for a lot of years.” He nodded, the end of his speech evident.

They both looked to Pastor Rollins, who said, “Cassandra Aloise Haslam, do you give yourself to Harrison Gaylen Tate, to be his lawfully wedded wife, from now until this mortal life separates you?”

“Yes,” she said. “I do.”

He nodded and turned slightly to face Harrison. “Harrison Gaylen Tate, do you receive this woman, Cassandra Aloise Haslam, into your heart a life, and give yourself to her, to be her lawfully wedded husband, from now until this mortal life separates you?”

“Yes,” he said, no throat-clearing needed. “I do.”

“Then by the power of God and the state of South Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

The crowd started to clap and cheer, whistle and whoop, and Cass stepped into Harrison’s arms and kissed him. Their smiles made it hard to do anything too scandalous, and they separated quickly. He lifted their joined hands into the air as they faced the few rows of chairs, and Cass soaked in the happiness streaming her way.

All of the people had gotten to their feet, and their faces were lit with such joy, Cass wanted to take a picture of it. So she reached under the white satin covering the altar and turned her back on the crowd. She lifted her phone high as Harrison yelled at everyone to crowd in close.

She snapped several selfies of her and Harrison in the foreground with all of their loved ones behind them, that joy still prevalent. She needed to be able to see this at any given moment in the future. Soak in this feeling again and remember how amazingly happy she felt too.

After she tucked the phone back under the satin, she stepped into her mother’s arms. “You did good, baby,” her momma said, and Cass squeezed her eyes shut as she gripped her mother’s shoulders.

She had done the best she could, and she figured no one could expect more than that.

* * *

Hours later,after the dinner, the toasts, the dancing, and the sparkler send-off, Cass sank into the back seat of a luxurious black stretch limousine. Lauren closed the door, sealing out everyone and everything.

She sighed and looked over to Harrison, who’d gotten in ahead of her. She leaned toward him without saying anything, and he met her halfway for a kiss. She cradled his face in her hand, the touch between them light and electrifying. “Thank you,” she murmured against his lips. “That was a beautiful evening.”

“I think so too,” he said.

She tucked herself into his side, and he lifted his arm around her shoulders. “Did you see the way Blake and Lauren were dancing?” she asked. She let her eyes drift closed as the car started to move.

“Pretty close,” he said.

“Cheek-to-cheek,” she said. “He had his hands all over her.”

“She didn’t seem to mind.”

“No,” Cass said. “She didn’t.”

“He’s a good guy,” Harrison said. “Hopefully, he’ll figure out how to handle Lauren.”

Cass wasn’t sure what that meant, so she asked.

“I just mean.” Harrison exhaled. “She’s a strong woman, Cass. She’s not meant for just anyone. She needs someone tailored just for her, that’s all. It’s not a criticism. I like Lauren a lot.”

She nodded, because he was right. Lauren had been in a couple of serious relationships, but her job always came first. She hoped and prayed that Lauren could make an adjustment this time and put Blake first. Maybe if she did that, and Blake could indeed figure out how to handle her, they could find their happily-ever-after.

The drive to the resort on the south end of the island didn’t take long, especially at this time of night. The limo came to a stop only a few minutes later, and she emerged from it, Harrison right behind her.

He put his hand on the small of her back and guided her toward the glass doors. He didn’t stop for a bag; they had someone to do that for them here. In fact, Cass thought their bags would already be in their room.

A man dressed in a dark suit met them just inside the door, and he said, “Mister and Missus Tate, welcome.” He handed her an envelope. “Your room is twenty-one-seventeen, and the elevators are to your left and around the corner.”

“Thank you,” Harrison said, and Cass gave the man a nod too. They went toward the elevator, and once inside, Harrison took her hand in his. They said nothing, and Cass’s stomach swooped with the speed of the elevator. It practically shot them up to the twenty-first floor, and they walked along golden carpets in an arched hallway to the very end suite.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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