Angela gave me a warm smile as she shook my hand. “It’s lovely to meet you. You’ve got yourself a good one with Mason.”
Hysterical laughter wanted to bubble out of me. I had no real idea if Mason was a good one. He seemed to be, but I’d been so deadly wrong about that kind of thing before. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Thank you for marrying us.”
My voice gave a little hitch on the M-word, but Angela didn’t seem to notice. Or, if she did, she passed it off as nerves. She clasped her hands together. “Well, let’s get you two hitched.” She inclined her head towards Cain and Kennedy. “These are your witnesses?”
“They are,” Mason answered.
“Perfect.”
We stood at the end of the conference room that had a little space. Large windows looked out over a sea of forest. I almost zoned out as Angela recited traditional vows for us to repeat. The only sound that interrupted our voices was that of a clicking camera.
I promised to love, honor, and cherish Mason for all the days of my life. And I would, in a way. I would love, honor, and cherish him for saving Justin and Lyla. And that would never go away. Not when we signed divorce papers. Not when he met the love of his life and married her. Never.
“Mason, you may now kiss your bride.”
Those words snapped me out of my musings as panic took hold. I hadn’t even considered that we would need to kiss. Oh, God. The first kiss was usually awkward. You didn’t know how the other person moved yet. Which way would he turn his head? Would he use tongue?
Mason squeezed my hands as he dipped his head towards mine. His lips melded to mine in a way that felt much more practiced than it was. I couldn’t describe it any other way than to say it felt like coming home. Even as my heart rattled my ribs, a peace settled in my bones. A feeling of warmth and comfort. But one that sparked something fiercer in me. A fire low in my belly. Before it could fully flame, Mason pulled away.
I blinked up at him a few times, trying to get my senses back. He grinned down at me. Heat flamed my cheeks. Mason knew he affected me, and that was enough to send me running from the room. Instead, I kept my smile wide and bright as Angela congratulated us.
I barely heard the rest of her words and hoped I responded appropriately. I was in a daze while the photographer took more photos of us both in the conference room and outside in a field. By the time we were done, I was exhausted. Anxiety had burned through all of my energy reserves.
Cain clapped Mason on the shoulder. “Well, we’re going to head home and leave you two to celebrate.”
“What are you guys doing anyway?” Kennedy asked, curiosity lighting her eyes.
I looked up at Mason, a little panic lighting through me. We hadn’t planned anything. Mason, of course, met the question with ease. “Pizza and packing. They’re moving into my place tomorrow, so I told Anna I’d help her box everything up tonight.”
Amusement flickered across Kennedy’s expression. “Maybe you two can take a honeymoon later.”
“When everything’s settled,” he assured her.
With a round of goodbyes, we watched as they headed down the street to Cain’s SUV. I let out a long breath. “That was…”
“Something,” Mason finished for me.
“Not exactly the word I was going for, but a more appropriate one.”
He chuckled. “How about I pick up pizza and meet you back at the cottage? What toppings do you like?”
This time, I couldn’t stop the hysterical laughter that burst out of me. Concern flashed across Mason’s face. “Are you okay?”
“Sorry.” I sucked in air, trying to stop the laughter. “It’s just…we’re married, and you don’t even know what I like on my pizza.”
His lips twitched. “You have a point there. But I’ll learn that kind of stuff.”
“I like just about anything. No anchovies. No pineapple.”
“You really should give pineapple a shot.”
I scrunched up my face. “You and Justin. At least, you guys will have someone to share your gross pineapple pizza with.”
“Okay, no pineapple for you.”
I toyed with the clasp on my clutch, locking and unlocking it. “You don’t really have to help me pack.”
He shrugged. “I’d like to. I don’t have anything else to do.”
