Page 40 of Better Than the Beach

“Cassandra, I love you so much. There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not grateful for the chain of events that brought you into my life. A winter storm, a canceled flight, a kind airport bartender—”

“You’re welcome!” Mallory chimes in, and Cassie giggles. When I glance at my niece, she’s all smiles and tears, just like everyone else in the room.

“Thank you, Pip Squeak,” I say with a grin, before turning my attention back to Cassie. “From the moment I set eyes on you, I knew I was a goner. It didn’t even matter that I was standing naked in the bathroom, and you had just rudely barged in on me, because as soon as we locked eyes, nothing else mattered. Nothing. All I could see was you. All I could think about was you. You’ve had me captivated from the very beginning, and it’s been like that every day since. You make me proud to be yours. I love the life we’ve built together, and I can’t wait to experience the future with you by my side. I love you with everything in me, Cassandra Larsen. Will you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?”

The room is so still that only the sounds of quiet sniffling can be heard, and I hold my breath as I watch the face of the woman I love. It’s only a matter of seconds, but it feels like hours before she finally agrees to make all of my dreams come true.

“Yes,” she says, putting her left hand out so I can slip the ring on her finger. “Yes, I’ll be your wife, Nolan.”

Cheers erupt from the room as I surge to my feet and kiss my fiancée, lifting her off the ground and spinning her once just to hear her giggle against my lips.

“I love you,” I tell her. “You have no idea how happy you’ve just made me.”

“I love you, too,” she says back. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”

The End