Escape With Me (Love With Me 1)

Chapter Two

Cassie

The sound of lively conversations filled the restaurant. Friends and family sat around six large tables in a small party room set off from the main seating area. The big ocean facing windows stood open, letting in the last sunshine of the day as well as a cooling sea breeze.

Cassie felt naked in her thin dress. Her shoulders were bare and her legs exposed. Despite the tropical heat, she wished she had a sweater. Or her long sleeved pink work shirt. She missed the safety of her work clothes.

“Oh my gosh, Cassie. You look amazing,” Janessa announced, hurrying across the room to greet Cassie and Brianna.

“You like it?” Cassie asked, looking down and inspecting the cute little cherries on her dress.

“Like it? I love it,” Janessa told her. “Brianna has great taste.”

Cassie tried not to feel hurt that Janessa knew Brianna had picked it out. Was it really that out of character for her to wear a cute dress?

“I definitely have great taste, but Cassie's got the legs for it,” Brianna agreed, giving Janessa a hug. “Sorry, we're late. It was my fault. Too much great taste and not enough shoes.”

Janessa chuckled and showed them to their table. Cassie and Brianna were seated with the bride and groom. Janessa's teenage daughter sat next to her mother. Cassie sat down in her chair and took a sip of water. The glass was slippery with condensation, but the cold felt good on both her hands and her throat.

“Where's Julia? Is she here yet?” Brianna asked, looking around the room. Brianna, Julia, Cassie, and Janessa had been roommates in college. They were still close friends, despite life taking them in different directions.

“Her mom's sick, so she's not coming for a couple days,” Janessa replied. “She'll be here in time for the wedding, but she's going to miss the bachelorette party tomorrow.”

“Darn.” Brianna frowned. “She was supposed to help Cassie be wild.”

Cassie rolled her eyes. “I don't need everyone's help.”

Janessa made a cough that sounded suspiciously like an attempt to cover up a laugh.

“What?” Cassie asked her.

“I am excited to see you let loose and relax,” Janessa replied diplomatically. “I hope you get drunk and at least flirt with a sexy guy. You've been so stressed lately. You deserve some fun.”

“Get drunk and flirt?” Cassie said, sarcasm dripping off her voice. “Wow. The bar is set so high. How will I ever accomplish that?”

“Baby steps,” Brianna told her. “We have faith that you can do far more, but this is a good place to start.”

Cassie rolled her eyes at both her friends. Was she really so lost in her job and being responsible for the hotel that she'd forgotten how to have fun?

“I'll be right back,” Janessa said as more people came into the dining room. She stood gracefully, walking to greet the newcomers. She looked beautiful, Cassie thought. Janessa was thin with light brown hair that was tucked up into a neat bun at the nape of her neck. Her simple sundress was cornflower blue, and Cassie knew Janessa had picked it to match her eyes.

Kyle, Janessa's fiance, caught Janessa by the door and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. She grinned at him, her smile warming her entire face with love. He said something to her, and she nodded. Together, they both came back to the table. Janessa sat, while Kyle remained standing. He picked up a water glass and tapped it with his butter knife.

“If I could get everyone's attention,” he called out. His voice carried well in the small room. He waited patiently for the murmur of voices to die down. “First, Janessa and I would like to thank you all for coming. We're so glad we have family and friends willing to travel for our big day.”

There was a slight smattering of applause.

“I can't wait to marry the love of my life,” he continued, making Janessa smile. “I know that I'm not the most attractive man in the world or the richest, but when I'm with her, I feel like I am.”

A chorus of awws went through the crowd. Kyle was an average looking man with moderately good looks, but would never be movie star handsome. He had gone the route of shaving his head rather than trying to hide the male-pattern baldness that most of the male members of his family shared. It suited him.

“I'd like to thank Katy for bringing her mom and I together,” Kyle said after the pause.

“And thank you for my new car!” Katy shouted back. “Best trade in offer ever!” The crowd chuckled and Kyle winked at his soon-to-be step-daughter.

“Anyway, I hope you enjoy dinner tonight. The bachelor and bachelorette parties are tomorrow. Make sure to see Janessa or me if you have any questions on those. The rehearsal has been moved to five pm on Friday, rather than six, so make sure you're on time if you are in the party.” He shrugged and glanced around the room. “That's it for announcements. Thank you all for coming.”

Light applause filled the room once more. Kyle sat down with a smile for his bride, and the hum of conversation resumed.