Until Now

“We are. And I can hardly believe it. When I came back to Cleveland, I never thought that I would find love. In fact, that was the last thing on my mind. Yet, here I am. Married.”

“Let me see the ring.” Deanna extended her left hand, and Tamara eyed the stunning engagement ring and wedding band encrusted with diamonds around the entire band. “Gorgeous.”

“Thank you. Of course, it’s not about the ring. It’s about the man.” Her eyes lit up as she glanced beyond Tamara’s shoulder. “And there’s my baby now.”

Deanna looked up at her new husband with a loving smile, and he grinned down at her as he came beside her and slipped an arm around her waist. It was a beautiful moment between two people who loved each other, and reminded Tamara that relationships were fundamentally good. She had just been with the wrong man.

Tamara extended her hand to Eric. “Eric, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Tamara, Callie’s best friend.”

“Ah, yes. I’ve heard a lot about you. Nice to meet you, and thank you for coming.”

“Thank you for having me. Your ceremony was beautiful, and the reception has been exceptional.”

“Thank you,” Eric said.

“Where are you two heading for your honeymoon?” Tamara asked.

They both looked at each other, as if determining who would answer. A moment later, Deanna spoke. “Well, we wanted to do something different than the typical Caribbean honeymoon. Eric has always wanted to go to Scotland, so that’s where we’re headed. We’re going for two weeks to tour the country. We’ll even be staying in an old castle and everything.”

Eric pulled Deanna close. “I’m not the type of guy who likes to just sit on the beach for seven days. When I want rest and relaxation, I go to my parents’ cottage on the lake. I wanted our honeymoon to be an adventure.”

“It will be. As long as we’re together.” Deanna looked like the happiest woman alive. “As long as I’m with you, I don’t care where we go.”

“Well, congratulations again. You both look very happy, and that’s what matters.”

Tamara was walking away when suddenly she felt a hand on her arm. She turned to see that it was Deanna who had touched her. Deanna walked a few more steps with her, out of earshot of Eric, and asked, “How did everything go in Florida?”

Tamara made a face as she shrugged. “As well as can be expected. Patrick got what he deserved—a forty-two-year prison sentence. And I got my closure. But it was emotionally draining for me and for Michael. Of course, Patrick was livid. He uttered more threats as he was dragged out of the courtroom, saying that he’ll get out on appeal and then I’ll be sorry.” Tamara waved a dismissive hand. “But I’m not afraid of him.”

“Good,” Deanna told her. “With what he did, there’s no way he’s going to get out of prison. He can’t hurt you any more. And if he ever does live to see freedom, he’ll be old and certainly won’t be dumb enough to try to come after you.”

“I know. I’m not worried about him.”

“That’s good,” Deanna told her. “I just wanted to add that I know you might be feeling out of sorts and uneasy, but we’re all here for you. I went through my own scare with a crazy ex—nothing as serious as your situation, of course—but still, there’s life after an abusive relationship.” Now Deanna smiled. “For me, coming back to Cleveland was what led to my ultimate happiness.”

“Are you trying to forecast that I’m going to find love here, too?” Tamara asked, flashing Deanna a look of mock skepticism.

“It’s my wedding day. I guess it’s fair to say I’m full of hopeful optimism.”

Behind Deanna, Tamara noticed Marshall enter the banquet hall. He’d eaten dinner, then left, and Tamara had thought he wasn’t coming back.

Not that she was keeping tabs on him.

“Basically, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay,” Deanna continued.

“I’m good. Actually, I’m happy to be back here. Over the last year, I’ve gone through a lot of counseling. Both me and Michael. I feel strong. And I’m ready to make changes in my life for the better.”

“Good.”

The song changed from an upbeat tune to a slow ballad, and Deanna instantly turned. “I should get back to my groom.”

“Of course.”

Tamara watched Deanna hurry back to Eric, remembering how happy she had been on her own wedding day. How in love. How she had wholeheartedly believed her marriage to Patrick would last forever.

Stop thinking about Patrick, she told herself. This is Deanna and Eric’s day, and they’re going to have a wonderful life together. Tamara was certain of that. Just looking at them, she knew they had that inexplicable X factor she and Patrick hadn’t. The ease of communication, the obvious respect. A gentle kind of love that would carry them through the hard times.

“Can I have this dance?”

Tamara turned. And her heart slammed against her rib cage when she saw Marshall standing there.

“Excuse me?” she said.

“May I have this dance?” Marshall repeated and extended a hand to her.

Well, this was a surprise. He hadn’t given her more than a fleeting glance after the ceremony, and he had passed her by when everyone had been mingling at the reception hall. She had, however, caught his eye more than once, but the fact that he hadn’t made a point of saying hello had led her to believe that he wasn’t interested in talking to her.

And now here he was, asking for a dance.

“You want to dance with me?” Tamara asked.

“Why do you seem so surprised? A beautiful woman like you? What man in his right mind wouldn’t?”

Tamara narrowed her eyes. Didn’t he remember her? All this time, she had expected him to approach her to say hello. When he hadn’t, she’d assumed it was because of his date. Some women got irrationally jealous if their man talked to another female. But now, as he looked down at her, Tamara figured that he must not remember her. Surely if he knew who she was, he would address her with a sense of familiarity.

“Don’t make me beg,” Marshall continued, the corners of his lips lifting in a charming smile. “This is a wedding. I assure you, I’m not some creep from off the street.”

That confirmed it. He had no idea who she was. It was a little bit humorous, in fact. He had gone after her cousin with such steadfast determination that he had obviously taken no note of her.

“All right.” Tamara took his proffered hand, smirking with the secret knowledge that he was clueless.

Marshall led her the short distance to the dance floor and then took her in his arms and pulled her close. Her breasts flattened against the hard wall of his chest, and the unexpected sensation of his body against hers caused her breathing to halt for a few seconds.

What a physique he had. His chest was muscular and strong, and so were his shoulders where she’d brought her hands to rest. She hadn’t been able to see his sculpted figure beneath his suit, but she could certainly feel how fit he was now that they were dancing.

Of course he had a magnificent body. A man like Marshall would make sure to stay in tip-top shape for the ladies.

He pulled her a little closer and lowered his hand down her back, causing a shiver to dance down her spine. His hand stayed a respectable distance above her behind, but the warmth of it emanated through her dress and across her skin. And when his fingertips urged her even closer, she felt a startling flush.

It had to be the wine, she told herself. She’d had a couple of glasses with dinner. Clearly, the alcohol was getting to her head.

“See? No reason to fear me,” he said into her ear, his voice low and deep.

And as if he had whispered sweet nothings in her ear, she felt another flush.

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the wine. Maybe it was the fact that Marshall was a manly man, one who knew how to touch a woman, how to look at her and make her feel incredibly beautiful. That was all a part of his charm, and clearly Tamara wasn’t immune to it. And that surprised her.

Though maybe she shouldn’t be surprised. Obviously, she wasn’t dead. A woman would have to be blind and without any senses at all to not know that Marshall was an attractive man. More than attractive. He was fine.