“I’m glad you like it,” he says, reaching across the table and taking both of my hands in his. “I haven’t properly apologized for ignoring your letters and attempts to contact me.” Sucking my lip, I wait for him to finish. “For a while, I didn’t think I deserved you or happiness. Not after so many lost their lives. Not when my mind was telling me I was unlovable because of the scars. I never stopped loving you, dreaming of a future, even when I didn’t believe one existed.”
Squeezing his hands, I fight back tears before speaking. “I’m sorry you lost your friends, that you were attacked in the first place. I’m even more sorry that you thought for a second you didn’t deserve love. But I’m not sorry you’re here, even if it took you some time. I never would have wanted to rush you.”
We share a snort at my use of “rush” because while that’s what it seems like we’ve done, we’re only giving ourselves the destinies we dreamed of our entire lives.
“I know, Cassie-bell. It’s that kindness and understanding that draws me back to you every time I step away.” He lifts my hand, slowly kissing each knuckle while maintaining eye contact. His chocolaty gaze is like melting candies as he reads me like an open book. “Tonight is for us, not just making a baby.”
Smiling at his words, I then spot the waitress from the corner of my eye and clear my throat.
“Good evening, I’m Jenny, and I’ll be your server tonight. Can I start you off with some drinks or an appetizer?”
I’m grateful she ignores the sexual tension bouncing between us, because otherwise, I might want to die.
“Lavender & bubbles for me, please.” Despite not wanting to drink alcohol, I do want something elevated, and the alternative drink calls to me.
“An old fashioned, and we’ll start with crispy spicy tuna and coconut crunchy shrimp.” He looks to me to make sure it’s alright, and I swear the man reads my mind.
“Perfect. I’ll get this in and be back in a flash.” Jenny is gone before we can thank her.
“A hotanda cold app?” I ask, not that I’m complaining. They both sound amazing.
“Variety is good.” He grins. “What mains are catching your eye?”
Glancing back at the menu in front of me, I’m torn between a couple. “I definitely want lobster bisque, but the lobster linguini and filet mignon sound delicious too.” Why must it all look so divine?
“Do all three, and we can share. If you don’t mind me adding on stone crab claws?” He catches my eye and snickers as I lick my lips. “Don’t worry, I’ll share that too.”
As soon as we’ve settled on food, Jenny appears with our drinks and asks, “Are we ready to order?”
Handing over our menus, we place our order, with Tommy adding a New England clam chowder for himself and ensuring we have a large slice of their lava cake with house-made cream plus an extra scoop for dessert.
“We might need to be rolled out of here by the time we’re done,” I joke, taking a sip of my drink and moaning. The lemon complements the lavender so well.
Startled when Tommy stands, I glance back to see Jenny heading our way with a candy bouquet and a wrapped box. “What did you do?” I whisper as our server hands them over, tossing a wink my way as she leaves us alone again.
“Well, I know how sad it makes you when flowers die, so I thought your favorite candies would be nicer.” He hands me the wrapped bouquet with all kinds of sweet, sour, and chocolate candies glued to sticks that look like flower stems. “And because I wanted you to have something beautiful for our wedding, I lucked out in finding this.”
Placing the candy on the table, I open the black square box Tommy presents to me, and there, in the middle, is an oval locket, opened to display pictures of my parents on either side. Holding back tears is impossible because this is the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received.
“Oh, Tommy, this is perfect.” He’s on his knees beside me, and I don’t hesitate to throw my arms around his neck and hug him tight. “I couldn’t have asked for a better gift. Thank you.”
Brushing his hands up and down my back, he whispers in my ear, “I wanted our wedding to be perfect for you, and this was the only way I knew to make sure they were with you.” Unclasping the chain, he gently places it around my neck, allowing me to close the locket and see the three intricate roses engraved on the front and the words “forever in my heart” on the back.
“It is, Tommy, it really is, and they’d be so happy for us.” In my heart, I know they’re smiling down on us while bickering about who was the first one to say that we’d one day be married.
Boy, were they right, because everything over the next few days floats by like a dream come true, and Tommy is the reason for it all.
CHAPTER 10
Tommy
SIX MONTHS LATER.
“You’re sure this is the one?” Dad asks Cassie for the third time as she enters the nursery we’ve spent the weekend putting together. Including painting the walls three times now. I don’t mind, but Gage has been teasing her about being fickle, which she takes like a champ because if there’s one thing my wife knows about herself, it’s that she can change her mind a million times and we’d both continue to do as she asks.
“Yes, this is perfect. It matches Tommy’s eyes.” Glancing up, my gaze lands on her before moving around the now-Santorini blue walls to realize that, yeah, maybe she’s right. “Told you.” She sticks her tongue out, rubs her belly, and walks out, chattering to Daisy as they catchup in the hallway.
“I always knew, son, but man, watching the two of you these past few months, it’s been a true blessing.” Gage may not have raised me from birth, but he’s always taken the role of Dad to heart. I couldn’t have asked for one better than him.
