“No, this is perfect for me. It keeps me busy and uses the skills I’ve learned through the military. I’m happy with it.” A peacefulness enters his eyes that hadn’t been there…geez…just two days ago when I saw him again for the first time.
“I’m happy for you, Tommy. I’m happy for us. That we finally get the happy ending we always dreamed of having together.”
Stopping me, he trails his fingers up my arm before sliding them behind my neck. “I love you. You know that, right?”
I nod, unable to say anything before his mouth covers mine, making my toes curl as he pulls me into his body. My heart pounds against my chest, and my breathing grows heavy while my pussy starts to throb with my need for him.
“I do; I’ve always known.” There’s never been a single doubt about it. “Now let’s go shopping!” I’m giddy with excitement because this is the first, or maybe second, step into beginning our future, and I can’t wait for all the exciting things to come.
Opening the car door for me, Tommy stores my bags in the back seat and gets into the driver’s side as I direct him to the bridal shop. He parks around the back of the boutique, and before I can open my door, he’s right there, even offering a hand to help me out.
“After you.” His hand sweeps out as he opens the door, a bell chimes as we enter, and we’re immediately greeted.
“Welcome, I’m Mary, and you must be Cassie and Tomas?” The older woman, maybe mid-forties, with bottle blonde hair, round glasses, and just a subtle hint of red on her lips, is friendly and instantly puts me at ease. “I’ve pulled aside some choices I think would match and suit you both well. Which is rare, because most brides are superstitious about their groom seeing their dresses before their big day. Of course, that’s perfectly acceptable too.”
Immediately, my eyes are drawn to a sleek, diamond white mermaid floral jacquard dress. The subtly stitched flowers are beautiful and precisely what I never knew I wanted.
“I see the twinkle, and I like where you’re headed. There’s a matching veil if you’d like as well.” Mary winks at me, pulls the dress off the rack, and moves on to the dressing room before Tommy can see much detail. “Now, for the groom. How about…” She browses through the options before removing a navy-blue satin-edged notched-lapel tux with a matching vest and tie and a diamond white shirt.
“I think you might have a knack for this, Mary,” I tease, knowing these are both a perfect fit.
“Excellent! They come in a variety of sizes for both, so I’m sure we’ll get you fitted and out of here today.”
As I walk to my dressing room and Tommy to his, excitement brews to levels I couldn’t imagine. The only damper is that I wish my parents were here to celebrate with me. They’d always loved Tommy and knew we would wind up together one day. I suppose, if anything, they at least died knowing I’d be well loved.
CHAPTER 8
Tommy
“Yes, Mom, I promise. You’ll be the first to know, as soon as we do. Are you sure you can do what I want for the wedding?”
For the last thirty minutes, I’ve been sitting outside Cassie’s doctor’s office, waiting for her to arrive for her appointment. And in that time, I’ve been planning our wedding with my mom to ensure it’s truly special for Cassie because she deserves the world.
“I got it, sweetheart, don’t you worry about a thing!” She’s excited to be doing so much for us, and I think also relieved that I’ve stopped fighting what’s been fated since the day Cassie and I met.
“Great, I’ll talk to you when you guys get into town tomorrow.”
Hanging up, I grab the note I wrote for Cassie and plan to slip it into her purse before we leave here. Afterwards, I have an interview with the DA, who wants to hire me, then I’m taking Cassie out for a pre-Valentine’s Day dinner.
As I stuff the note in the soft pink envelope decorated with little hearts that I found at a stationery store this morning,Cassie pulls in next to me. I get out and lean against my new Chevy Tahoe High Country, with all the bells and whistles. Not only was I thinking about work when I purchased it this morning, but I also considered the room it gives us for kids, too.
“Fancy.” Cassie whistles as she gets out of her car and smiles. “I see howyouspent your morning.”
Walking over to her, I don’t hesitate to draw her into my arms, meeting her lips as she pushes up to me.
“Did a few things.” Winking, I leave my hand on her back and guide her into the office building, following her lead to the doctor’s office.
“Like what else?” Her sparkling emerald gaze lands on mine, mischief twinkling back at me.
“Things,” I respond, grinning when she pouts as we stroll to the reception desk to get her checked in.
After we take a seat and wait to be called back, Cassie eyes me like a hawk before asking, “Are you going to share?”
“Nope.”
She huffs and crosses her arms, but I know my girl, and she loves a surprise, even if she’s dying to know what it is.
“Cassie Jones?” Getting to our feet, we follow the nurse back to the exam rooms. I slip my note into Cassie’s bag just before we enter.
