Page 5 of Legally Yours

“With her boyfriend, sir.”

What!

I can’t hold back the groan, and I hang up without saying anything else. How could she do this? We had a deal! She was supposed to be aiding my mother’s health. My mind is swimming.

I tuck my head low and try to process what I should do now. I can’t just wait here for a woman who isn’t going to show up.

“Bad day?” A simple, melodic voice speaks from my right side. I peek up at her, and then my head fully turns to greet her.Wow.She’s quite beautiful, in a simple, pleasant way. I see a lot of models at my job, but this Black woman could beat every one of them. Her face is naturally sculpted to look soft but with an easy contour, she could be dangerous.

“I, uh, I couldn’t help but notice you hadalsobeen sitting here for a while. It was a no-show for me.”

So she’s been left here, too? What sorry SOB would do that to such a hot ass girl?

I nod and hold out my hand. “Yeah, I’m Liam.”

I slide over on my bench seat, and she takes the spot next to me. She tells me how she ended up here, and I do the same. I barely notice it’s well past dinnertime when she asks me another bold question.

“Will you marry me?” My eyes feel like they’re about to pop out of my skull, but she starts to quickly explain, telling me how we can get back at the people who left us here.

“They’re terrible people who deserve to know what karma feels like,” she says when she’s done.

I think about it for a long moment. It would make my mom happy to see me married. And Eunice does deserve it. What do I have to lose?

I smile at her and give her my answer.

5

CASSANDRA

When the words leave his mouth, it takes everything I have not to be shocked.

“I’d be glad to.”

Did he really just say yes?

Those alluring green eyes stare into mine, and he doesn’t have a moment of hesitation in him. He really does want to go through with this.

A smile breaks out on my face and in return, he seems to light up in a way that makes him ever more attractive.

Even hunched over in his sorry state, he’s an Adonis. We both stand up from the bench, and he literallytowersover me. He has to be at least six-feet tall, if not more. His blonde shows no signs of tampering, making him look naturally sun-kissed. Liam is perfectly clean-shaven and in his smile, I can see a prominent dimple on the left side of his face.

He is almosttooperfect. I had never doubted my looks. Being in modeling, it’s easy to get swept up in the industry of self-consciousness. I always tried to treat myself with respect, keeping my body naturally in good shape and taking care of my skin.

But standing in front of this built, hunky man, I feel a little intimidated.

“Well, shall we?” His potent, intense voice breaks through my thoughts, and I nod like a child. He extends his arm, waiting for me to take it. When I do, I have to hide the physical reaction to just howhardhis muscles feel. He has to spend an unbelievable time at the gym to feel this sculpted. It’s like holding a marble statue in my hand.

He leads me to where I assume he was planning on getting married. The ceremony itself is short, with a single man dressed as a priest. He hands me a small bouquet of what looks like wildflowers. I take it graciously but in reality, I could definitely do without it. As we wait for him to start, my eyes wander around the room, taking in my surroundings.

It’s decent but nothing like the type of thing most people would envisage when they think of a wonderful white wedding. But I guess, it isn't. It’s Vegas and even though the hotels are fancy, it’s still not what I would have dreamt of.

I’m glad my family isn’t here to see me get married like this.They would have been so disappointed. Being the breadwinner, they probably would have assumed my wedding would have looked nicer. But this is what David and I had decided.

Back before I realized he’s a no-good two-timer.I hold back a frown, not wanting Liam to think I’m having second thoughts.

Liam. He had come so prepared. His story sounded more tragic than mine. Trying to fulfill the wishes of his sick mother. It’s not hard to assume he has a sweet side to him, just waiting to come out.

After the ceremony, Liam pulls out papers from the manila envelope he is carrying. Putting them down on the stand, I can see that he already has all his paperwork with him. I just fill out my name, and it’s over. We’re married!

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