pte

geous!"; Hope uttered one like, "Insolent bitch," or it might have been something else because Cassandra just

lly know what was going on. Thank goodness though that Philip was still in his senses beca

ent, oblivious of the six pairs

arched Cassandra's startled ones and said, "I'm sorry about that, sweetheart," he fro

started but no id

tiny steps as she looked Cassandra over. "This is your little secret fiancée?" she turned to look at Philip like he was cr

the group around the table, "I'm sorry guys, I did not intend this to happen," she turned to

a cried out, chuckling at her

authoritative voice spoke

r here in her condition, Chanty

insisted, saying she'd make a scene if I don't let her," Chanty apologized at

do," Hope nodded, looking

inner with you guys

voice stopped her and Cassandra a

tention they drew from the other guests in the restaurant. "I'll make it up t

!" Angelica shouted over her lungs just

silent for a v

Hope said, placing h

ble and squeezed it gently, "I'm sorry abou

t's

ay!" Hope fumed. "That

William shook his head

of her own," Mary disagreed.

noticed, wiping his mouth with hi

e main

is dinner in the same energy as we started

am nodded. "We can al

"I mean we can always have a bl

tomorrow," Hope sa

any things to patch up," he took Cassandra's hand and s

you at the wedding, my dear. And if you have any trouble tomorro

all just pretend. "Yes, okay, I'll remember that. Thank you and see you," was all she could muster before Philip guided her to stand up. She

Philip said and they walked ou

e was sure they are out of sight and gla

r faces just inches apart it almost threw her back w

e to gather herself again despite ever

a?" he asked. "If you'

off, "jealousy is the last thi

oblem?" his brows d

e humiliated like that again. I don't care what you do with that girl," she sto

hat made you think I'd do anything

hat I said," she started t

irled her around to face him, "I don't rea

t have to

rdered rather harshly, "beca

are ask, so s

nt you to have any sexual encou

, "Sexual e

, whatever you call

you

n w

nds, whatever you call tha

owly disappeared and he grinned down at her. His sudden

abbed back her hand and whirled around, "that's one

rs and she tried to ignore him as much as she could as the valet maneuvered the car towards them. Th

ove in

ng," he finally said as he

ha

," he repeated, throwing he

ed half of the bottle on my bed and most of it went to my dress," she lied. There was no way she w

ay anything about her strong scent; instead,

ok at him. She planned to do so

is the day before the wedding

d just be us and the judge and some witnesse

dra. And you met my family. They woul

going down the aisle?

the car when the lights turned green, "My family think

led your family to believe that you ar

the news a month ago, before I s

ave them my na

" she saw him sh

have a contract with my father? And

Stop asking questions. We better thi

t st

ndmother is very specific with details and I'm sure she'd ask you a lot of questions sooner or

it, "What's this?"

about me. Don't worry about your profile-your f

s she dropped the paper inside her clutch bag without reading

end at a party in Chicago, talked, dated for almost two years but only that I kept it a secret from t

all in and finally asked, "Tel

hy

the proposal," she said, her voice telling

's all I told my family an

use they always ask the bride ab

you suggest th

you tell me. I

her w

ally my problem if this little

as mixed in your ice cream, you got it, your cried, sa

n't be. I just laughe

ughed with jo

tears. I was just plain happy a

other's not gonna like tha

care, okay? I di

in

she snap

s she struggled to get out, he said, "I'll pick you up at ten am sha

she replied, o

ket once again. When his hand reappeared, it held a small black box. He handed it to her. "It's the proposal r

car without a word. She started to walk up to her door and

ainst it and looked down at the little black box in her hand. She opened it and there she saw the simple silver band with a round-cut diamond ring resting on top of it. The stone glittered despite the d

d time to wear an

ched on her lights and punched the button to listen to her messages. The first one was from her mother, askin

n she heard the familiar baritone voice that said, "Cass, it's me,

ized that today must be the most un