Page 4 of Hooking
Hayley looks at me as if I’ve completely lost my mind, and maybe I have. But I’m not about to be made a fool. The only fool here is Vincent Burch.
We plaster fake smiles as we join the rest of my bridesmaids in the main room. I slowly sip a mimosa as I watch them get their hair and makeup done. Smiles on their faces, ready to celebrate the day. Yet, mine seems to fall flat as I think about the video and what I’m going to do about the situation.
Vince and I have been on and off again since high school, but I always knew that at some point in my life, we’d be here. And while Vince’s parents weren’t huge fans of the girl who came from basically nothing, my parents have done nothing but adore Vince. This isn’t just going to break me; it’s going to break them as well. Maybe I should just brush it under the rug. Stay with him because it was an indiscretion before we became a union.
Yeah, right.
I’d rather die than know that the man I’m marrying is an unfaithful, lying manipulator.
I sit in the chair and wait as the makeup artist and hair stylist work their magic, even though I know the effort will all be for nothing. The photographer snaps photos of me and my girls candidly as I try my best to keep up the front but deep down, I’m dying inside.
I put on my dress and take a few deep breaths as Mom fastens the last few buttons. My bottom lip quivers, and my eyes sting with tears as I take in the beautiful form-fitting, lace bridal gown Mom and I picked out. I thought it was perfect. And maybe it is, but for someone else.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” she says, hugging me from behind. “Shall we go? We don’t want to be late.”
I give a firm nod as I swallow the lump growing in my throat. Watching as my bridal party and Mom file out of the villa and head for the wedding venue. Taking one deep breath, I grab my bouquet and digital camera and follow them.
“Cassidy, you look so gorgeous,” Sydney, Brooks’ sister and my wedding planner, says as soon as I walk into the ceremony location. “We’re gonna get started in a few moments. Is there anything I can get for you before we do?”
I look around at the space and think how perfectly she captured our vision. A vision tainted with heartbreak and infidelity.
Breaking out of my thoughts, I smile at Sydney who’s patiently waiting for me. “I updated my vows. Can you see if Desmond can talk to me for a minute? I need his expertise.”
“Of course.”
A few moments later, Desmond appears with Sydney by his side. “Hey, pretty lady. Syd said you needed my skills for something.”
I smile sweetly, moving off to the side so no one overhears our conversation. “I reworked my vows to incorporate a video I made for Vince. Do you think you could set up a projector or something?”
He smiles proudly as if this isn’t the first time someone has asked him to do something so ridiculous. “Sure thing. I’ll set it up off to the side.”
“Perfect. It’s the only video on the memory card, and I edited it so it will start where it needs to.”
I take a few breaths to steady myself as they quickly move to set up the projector. Soon after the ceremony music begins, my bridesmaids move into place. Feeling like I’m about to break, I move to the corner to catch my breath but am met by my father’s embrace.
“You okay, sweet pea?” he asks as I squeeze him tightly. “You know you don’t have to do this if you’re not ready.”
I stare at my father as he looks at me with so much love. The same love he looks at my mother with daily. The kind of love I want and could only ever dream of.
“I’m fine, Daddy,” I say, smiling up at him sweetly.
“Then let’s get you married.”
My bridesmaids had already made their way down the aisle as I stand at the entrance to what’s supposed to be my forever. Wonderwall by the Manchester String Quartet plays as the guests all rise from their seats, looking back toward me.
Willing myself to breathe, I put one foot in front of the other as I slowly make my way toward Vince. The man I thought would be the one to save me. We stop in front of the arch, Vince coming to meet my father in a handshake before he kisses me and returns to his seat next to my mother.
My fingers entwine with Vince’s as we step up to the arch facing the officiant. A million thoughts run through my mind as the officiant spews tales and quarrels of love. How true love wins. Yeah, right. If I could stop her right there, I would, but I keep my composure as she continues to tell the tale of our union.
“Now I understand you both have decided to write your own vows,” she says, smiling at us both, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Vince, you can start.”
Vince braces my hands as he turns to face me. “Cassie, I love you so much, and I can’t believe that I finally get to call you all mine after all these years. So here today, in front of all our family and friends, I promise to love you, be your companion and friend. Your partner in parenthood and confidant in conflict. Your greatest fan and toughest adversary. I love you, Cassidy, and I can’t wait for you to be a Burch, finally.”
Wow.
Not what I was expecting when I asked him to write his own vows. I’d figure he’d use a little assistance from Google but to copy and paste the entire thing. If I wasn’t sure of my decision to expose him before, I am now.
I stare into the eyes of the man who states he loves me and brace myself for my next moves. Taking a deep breath, I turn and grab my vows from Hayley who gives me a reassuring smile.
