Page 54 of Hers to Love
Kat and Keke stood behind Kori on either side of her, holding her train. Their mother took Kori’s hands in hers. “Are you ready?”
Kori nodded. Her cheeks hurt from grinning all morning—and in her sleep the night before.
“Good.” Mary patted Kori’s hand. “I’m so happy that all of my daughters have found the loves of their lives. Men who will treat you andyourfuture daughters with love and respect.” She looked over Kori’s shoulder with concern. “Keke, honey, please don’t let that massive ring get snagged in Kori’s train.”
Keke groaned. “It’s fine!” She rotated the engagement ring Pete had given her into her palm.
Kori chuckled. “It’s a gorgeous ring, Keke. Congratulations.”
“Kori, I know you’re marrying my dad and I couldn’t be happier for you two,” Sabrina said, giving Kori a hug. “It’s still a littleGame of Thronesicky.”
Kori rolled her eyes. Sabrina had insisted on calling Marshall “dad” as much as she could around Kori to torment Kori and remind her of their age difference, which was barely fifteen years.
Kat shrugged. “Still hot for his age.”
Keke laughed.
Marshall wasted no time, proposing a month after they reunited. He and Kori had settled on Denver as the place to live and start their business. Kori already had a few clients signed to her virtual assistant firm, the money they generated being more than enough to keep her employed. She wanted to spend as much time as she could with Marshall and get their company off the ground.
Marshall was a money guy at heart, but he always had a thing for investigation. Fraud was a natural choice. They had partnered with Daemon Knight, and would officially launch a fraud investigative unit after the honeymoon.
Sabrina followed both Kat and Keke down the short aisle as the maid of honor. Mary escorted her daughter.
Kori took in the gorgeous Italian sunset backdrop; deep hues of purple, orange, and blue reflecting off the waters that surrounded their yacht. Treating their closest friends and family to a destination wedding had been the perfect idea. Since Kori didn’t have a chance to see much of Italy, she and her husband would go on a cruise, followed by a European tour, a few nights in Bora Bora, and then a quick stop in Fiji.
He was determined to give her the vacation of a lifetime.
At the altar, Marshall took Kori’s hands in his own. “You look stunning,” he whispered.
“Thank you, so do you,” she said while allowing her gaze to roam over his body fitted perfectly in his off-white tuxedo. He was going to be all hers in a few moments. Her body hummed with excitement. Kori couldn’t wait.
Neither could Marshall, but Kori insisted on taking three months to plan the wedding so Marshall could be sure. She never should’ve doubted his intentions. He was as driven in his pursuit of her as he was in their new business venture. Their three-month engagement seemed like forever. She had a whole life to look forward to with Marshall.
And he wanted children right away. Although fitness was important to his lifestyle, Marshall didn’t like the idea of being on social security by the time his kids were in college. Kori couldn’t imagine Marshall being old enough for social security, but she agreed starting a family would be the sweetest way to start their new life together—other than eating the wedding cake Kat specifically baked for them.
Her lips met Marshall’s in their first kiss as a married couple, full of protection and promise. They faced a cheering crowd. Mary’s face was wet with tears, her grin stretching up her cheeks to the outer corners of her eyes. Kori smiled at her mother and then her sisters.
They had made it. Despite everything, there truly was such a thing as happily ever after.