“So you aren’t going to Paris?” Rick asked.
“Not any time soon. Though I would love to go one day.”
He pulled her in closer. “Maybe we could go together.”
If it was possible to die from happiness, she was about to go toward the light. “I would love that.”
He drew her up and kissed her until her toes curled. He didn’t release her until she was breathless and trembling against him.
“I love you,” he whispered against her lips.
She opened her eyes and smiled up at him. “I love you, too.”
The room erupted in applause, headed by Jenny and Nat, who were standing side by side, smiling like proud mother hens.
“Let’s get out of here,” Gina said.
“I’d love to. But we have to find my car first.”
Gina burst out laughing. “I guess our life will never be boring.”
“This is true,” he agreed.
“Champagne?” a waiter asked, holding out a tray with several full glasses.
Gina reached for one and stopped, her jaw dropping.
“What?” Rick asked, and then burst out laughing.
“Oh, hell no,” the waiter said. Gina’s would-be mugger thrust the tray full of drinks at her and held up his hands. “No way am I gettin’ mixed up with you two again. I didn’t do nothin’!” He stormed off, ripping off his jacket as he went. “Just workin’, not doin’ nothin’, cops gotta come down here and get all up in my business. Nope. Ain’t happenin’ this time. I’m outta here,” he muttered all the way out the door.
Rick took the drinks from her and took her hand. Jared, now holding the tray, promptly took a glass and chugged it down.
“Well, we’re all dressed up and it looks like we’ve effectively ruined this party. Shall we go find another one to crash?” Rick asked.
Gina took his arm. “If we hurry, I think there’s a Policeman’s Ball going on. If you’d like to accompany me.”
Rick’s gaze searched hers, and she smiled up at him. “I’d be honored to take you to the ball, miss.”
“The honor is mine, Officer.”
Epilogue
Gina held still while Nat pinned the jeweled gold filigree pin in her hair. She’d opted against a veil, not wanting anything to take away from the stunning gorgeousness that was her dress. The embellished champagne lace that created the top portion and cap sleeves of her gown glimmered in the light of the sun streaming through the window of Mrs. Bogetti’s apartment. An overskirt of pleated chiffon covered an exquisite fitted lace gown that flowed to the floor. Gina had never felt so beautiful in her whole life. She couldn’t wait for Rick to see her. She’d kept the gown a closely guarded secret for months. No small feat when you’re living with a cop whose instincts leaned toward the nosy side.
“Do you think he’ll like it?” she asked.
Nat’s smile lit up the room. “Oh, honey. That man would love anything as long as you were wearing it. But this…he’ll either want to tear it off you the second he sees you or never let you take it off.”
Gina laughed, some of the tension that had had her stomach in knots for days dissipating.
“Are you nervous?” Nat asked.
“A little. I never really pictured myself getting married. But Rick…”
Nat laughed. “Yeah, they have a way of worming their way into your heart and setting up camp, don’t they?”
“Yeah. The bastards.”
They laughed, and Nat reached over to carefully give her a hug, being mindful of her hair. And makeup. And dress. Oy. If Gina got through the ceremony intact and presentable, it would be a miracle. She’d already had the strap break on her shoe, a dropped tube of lipstick that had nearly created a last-second dress disaster, and an unfortunate incident in the bathroom involving a garter, a toilet, and a wet bridesmaid that Gina was trying very hard to forget about. One more thing went wrong and she’d run screaming from the building.
There was a knock at the door, and Jared poked his head in. When he saw her, his smile dropped from his face and he whistled. “Wow, Gene,” he said, coming into the room. “You clean up nice.”
Coming from Jared, that was a mega-sized compliment. “Thanks. And you are looking less like an overgrown fungus today.”
Nat shook her head. “You two kill me.”
Jared smiled and smoothed his hands down the lapels of his suit. “I do look pretty amazing, don’t I? I’ve got my eye on that bridesmaid. No way she’ll be able to resist this.”
Gina snorted. “I wouldn’t bet on it. Wait, which one?”
He shrugged. “Any of them.”