“Both.” Cassie smiled. Noah made her happy. He laughed with her about the silly things that happened and commiserated when things didn’t go to plan. Even when they sat on her veranda after dinner, not saying or doing very much, the world was a better place.
She leaned into Noah’s shoulder and sighed. As soon as the wedding was over, he would go back to Manhattan. They’d speak occasionally, maybe even text each other. But it wouldn’t be the same.
“Hi, guys. Are you ready to have your photo taken?” Willow stood beside them with her camera poised.
Cassie squinted as the flash blinded her.
“Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
Noah laughed. “Were you smiling?”
“I don’t know. The last thing I remember is being blinded by the flash.”
“Me, too.” He changed direction, spinning them to the right. “Willow’s busy.”
“She knows what she’s doing. The photos she took for Megan’s wedding were beautiful. I’ll call her on Monday and ask her to send me a copy of the photo. I could forward it onto you.”
Noah pulled her closer. “That would be great. I’ll send it to my brother. He’ll be happy I haven’t been working.”
“Let me guess,” Cassie said. “He thinks you’re a workaholic.”
“How did you know?”
“Dad says the same thing about me.”
Noah’s dry chuckle sent goosebumps skittering along her skin. “I’m glad I found you, Cassie.”
Her heart pounded. She half expected Noah’s mouth to be tilted into a teasing smile, but it wasn’t.
He studied her face with a longing so strong and sure that it shook her from the inside out. She wanted Noah with an intensity that stunned her. He’d crept into her life and marked her heart with a thousand love-struck arrows.
His hand gently brushed her cheek. “Before I came to Sapphire Bay, I thought my business couldn’t do without me. But while I was here nothing burned down, there were no emergencies, and my house plants didn’t die.”
The huskiness in his voice made Cassie sigh. “You’ll have to come to Sapphire Bay more often.”
Noah’s hand rested on her waist “I’d like to visit you. Manhattan isn’t too far away.”
“It’s a seven-hour flight.”
“I can work on the plane.”
Cassie looked into his eyes and sighed. “You’re my boss. It won’t work.”
Instead of looking disappointed, Noah smiled. “Everything will be okay. I’ve got a plan.”
She hoped it was better than hers. She’d done a lot of foolish things in her life, but falling in love with a man who lived thousands of miles away was one of the worst.
Later that night,Cassie stood at the bar with Megan and Brooke, waiting for refills of their drinks.
Sam and Caleb’s wedding couldn’t have been more perfect. Even though it was well after ten o’clock, everyone was having a wonderful time.
“Is it me or has the temperature in the room hit boiling point?”
Cassie turned toward Megan. “What are you talking about.”
Brooke made a choking sound. “Noah hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night. Is there something you forgot to tell us?”
Cassie took the two glasses the bartender handed her. “No.”
