I Can Love You
Page 27
Laughing, Latrice took Tara by the arm and led her to a wicker glider to sit down. “Same here. So is it true? You two are getting married?”
“We were, but now she’s acting like she doesn’t want me.”
“Quinton!” Tara cried, embarrassed. “Of course, I want to marry you, but there is no way we can do it so soon.”
“Do what?” Latrice asked, not following the casual back and forth between the two.
“I want to marry Tara tomorrow in the old church, but she has this long list of excuses.”
“Quinton, I told you I want my family here. I want our wedding to be special.”
But he knew Latrice and the woman always saw a solution, never problems. “How about having a wedding on Valentine’s Day? You know, Zenobia works for the probate judge. They handle all marriage licenses for the county. Where’s your family from?”
Quinton grinned from ear to ear. If Latrice was on his side, there was no way anyone could stop their wedding.
Tara looked at Quinton and Latrice as they waited for her to give in. “They’re all in San Antonio, but my son flies in tomorrow.”
Thinking out loud, Latrice said, “I have a friend who is always finding great airfares on the Internet. I can give her a call, and maybe she can find your people a good rate.”
Tara looked at Quinton as if wondering if Latrice was for real. Laughing heartily, he said, “Latrice, Tara has her own plane.”
“Get outta here!” Now really mystified, Latrice looked at Tara and asked, “So what’s stopping you? I’m sure the reverend will be happy to perform the ceremony. Patty and I can pick up some flowers, and Bonnie makes wonderful cakes.” She was tossing out ideas nonstop. “I can have my mother’s old wedding dress cleaned in time. I see red and white . . . Oh, that will be lovely! Red and white flowers everywhere!”
“I can take care of the florist and my dress,” Tara assured her, lightly touching Latrice on the arm.
“Wait a minute. Does this mean you’re marrying me on Wednesday?”
“I guess so.” Tara grinned.
Latrice clasped her hands joyously. “Wait ’til I call the girls! Oh, we have so much to do between now and then,” she said.
Touching Latrice on the shoulder, Quinton said, “I don’t want you lifting one finger. All I want you to do is show up on Wednesday evening.”
“Now you know I can’t do that. I have to do something,” she protested.
“Then do us a favor and make sure no one finds out. The last thing we need is for outsiders to show up along with the press. So not a word to anyone.”
Latrice’s sudden jubilant spirit became downcast after his warning, so Tara took her hand and added, “I think what Quinton is trying to say is that we want something intimate and private. We just want our close friends and family to be there, nothing big. And we want you to come and enjoy yourself and be a guest.”
Latrice’s frown turned into a smile, and the three of them hugged. Latrice finally stood up and said, “I’m so happy for you, Quinton. She definitely is a keeper.”
* * *
Dusk fell on Sigourney, leaving pastel streaks in the sky. Colorful rose petals covered the path to the altar, offering a hint of color on a backdrop of various white flowers. Candles were lit around the room, provided all the lighting they needed.
Quinton stood at the altar anxiously waiting for Tara’s entrance. She appeared wearing an ivory gown with her arm intertwined with her son’s. The vision of her overwhelming him.
After Aaron presented Tara to him, Quinton looked into her eyes and breathed, “You’re so beautiful.”
Talking about the sanctity of marriage and describing their responsibilities to each other, the minister then asked them to exchange the vows they had written to each other.
Tara tilted her head slightly and looked up at Quinton. He took her hand reassuringly and expressed his unconditional commitment to her.
Tara cleared her throat, swiped at her tears, and began reading her vows to him from the small piece of paper she had tucked in her palm.
They each took turns to slide bands on the other’s finger, and Quinton linked both of his hands with hers after.
Closing his book, he beamed at the couple and said, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”
As the guests applauded, Quinton immediately leaned down and softly kissed Tara. When they deepened their kiss, the minister smiled and turned from the congregation to the couple and shrugged, saying, “You may keep kissing the bride.”
Epilogue
Late Thursday morning, Quinton and Tara met everyone for a post-wedding brunch before leaving on their honeymoon. The couple spent the next two weeks relaxing at sea on a private yacht, destination unknown. Each day they woke just for each other, not thinking about anything else.
On the eve of their scheduled return home, Quinton walked Tara out to the deck. Her sundress blowing in the wind, she leaned against him. Dressed in a white linen shirt and pants, he held on to her. The tropical waters below them beat against the vessel, and behind them was the island view they enjoyed during dinner.
Putting his mouth to her ear, he broke the silence. “Tell me your thoughts, baby girl.”
“I can’t believe this has to end,” Tara replied. “I truly became lost out here with you.”
“It doesn’t have to. We can always stay for another week.”
Tara turned around and looked at him. “Now you know everyone is wondering where we are. Do you think it got out yet?”
“Nah, Blue We are going to take them all by surprise tomorrow night. That is unless you want to send them a message announcing we’re married and skip the thing altogether.”
Tara laughed. “We can’t do that. We invited everyone to this party, and as the hosts, we should be there. Don’t you want to get back to see everyone, anyway? I know I can’t wait to see Aaron.”
“There’s always a live satellite feed. We can put a message in a bottle and throw it overboard. Maybe we can even hire impersonators,” he said jokingly. “I just want one more night out here with my wife.”
Open desire in her eyes, Tara pulled Quinton away from the railing and guided him to their cabin. “Then let’s not waste it.”
* * *
After the plane touched down in Philadelphia, Tara’s priority was seeing her son. She spent the morning with him before leaving for New York. During their trip abroad, Sydney had been hard at work planning the event of the year. Invitations had gone out to A-list celebrities and select members of the media. The request made specifically to create a buzz and to entice their peers into coming if for no other reason than to satisfy their curiosity.
Tara and Quinton laughed uncontrollably when they heard about the publicity the invitation alone had generated. It had a distinctive design made with their first-name initials against a platinum background. The vibrant blue font and mock logo intentionally led many to believe that at the event they would announce a new venture between the two. The card stated that Q and Tara requested the recipient’s presence. The date, time, and address in the Hamptons were the only details given. The location was sure to pique curiosity, as the party season in the exclusive Hamptons did not kick off until Memorial Day weekend, and it was still winter.
In an upstairs bedroom inside the main house of the sprawling estate, Tara and Quinton listened to the carefree sound of people having a good time. Partially opening the door, they peeked out at the festivities under way in the great room below.
To keep their private moments private, they required the people contracted to provide services in South Carolina to sign confidentiality agreements. They led the people attached to the party to believe it was merely an event - perhaps an album release or an announcement about the fate of Spin Records. They even purposely kept Pamela out of the loop.
Knowing Justin had the loosest lips, Tara sent the only member from her glam squad to witness her nuptials on vacation to Hawaii at a resort that prohibited the use of any communicat
ion devices. At first, he felt insulted, but that soon faded once he realized he was getting pampered every day for two weeks.
A professional photographer had captured the only permanent memories of the private ceremony, all but one of which was for the couple’s personal use. As soon as they announced the marriage, they’d direct Pamela to deliver the specified photo to a publication they trusted most to share the news with the rest of the world.
A knock on the door signaled their return to the reality of the spotlight. During Tara and Quinton’s romantic hiatus, they had missed some notable events, including the Grammy awards ceremony. Quinton appreciated the two Grammy awards he had won, but he wouldn’t have traded their time together for anything. It thrilled Tara the revamped team at Spin selected the song she did with her sisters as her lead single.
The couple stepped out of the bedroom to meet the guests gathered below, eagerly anticipating their arrival.
Pulling Tara close, Quinton awaited the expected gasps of surprise with devilish glee, nodding to Pamela to open the envelope she could not read until Quinton gave her his signal.
“Friends first.” Tara leaned into her husband and whispered.
He smiled down at her as the duo descended the steps. He mouthed in return. “Friends always.”
Dressed in a cutting-edge style they were known for, but with the added glow of genuine love and happiness on their faces, Quinton and Tara stopped in the middle of the grand staircase and waited for the announcement, trying to conceal their amusement at the prank they had pulled off.
With a delighted squeal, Pamela, the matchmaker, shouted into a microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to present Mr. and Mrs. Quinton J. Ellis!”
Dear Reader,
An author never forgets her first love. The characters in I Can Love You are the first characters I ever developed many years ago and each one will always hold a special spot in my heart. When the opportunity came to reintroduce them, I couldn’t wait to dive back into their story, but wanted to bring a new twist on their old tale. I hope you enjoyed the end result.
Thank you for reading.
Mackenzie Joy
About the Author
I believe in...
playlists on repeat.
red lipstick and nudes.
brothers in timbs. please and thank you.
down blankets and pillows.
open windows when it rains.
dancing with no clothes on.
rum drinks with lime and sweet sugar cane.
mackenzie joy
love more. kiss more.
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