Nick ruffled the boy’s hair. “I suppose we’ll fly.”

“I’ve never been on a plane before.”

“First time for everything,” Nick said, leaning over Scotty to kiss Sam. “Thank you.”

“I racked my brain trying to think of something to get you for a wedding present—”

“Nothing I’d rather have.”

“That’s what I figured.”

“Speaking of gifts,” Nick said. “Stay put.” He went to his desk, retrieved a small blue box from the top drawer and brought it to her.

Sam’s eyes widened when she saw the distinctive Tiffany box.

“I asked your sisters for dibs on the something new,” Nick said.

“Open it, Sam,” Scotty said.

Her hands trembled with excitement as she opened the box to reveal a diamond-encrusted key on a white-gold chain. “Oh, it’s beautiful! I love it.”

Nick took the box from her and removed the necklace. Gathering her hair and shifting it out of his way, he fastened the clasp and then kissed her neck. “Let me see.”

Sam turned to him.

“Perfect,” he said, his eyes warm with love and desire.

“You know,” Scotty said gravely, “that’s the key to his heart.”

Smiling at the boy, she reached up to touch the key. “I promise to take very good care of it.”

“Good,” Scotty said. “Now let’s play some baseball!”

Nick stole a quick kiss from Sam, and went to play ball with his buddy.

Nick’s father, Leo, had insisted on hosting the rehearsal dinner at Trattoria Alberto, an Italian restaurant on Capitol Hill. After a rehearsal at the church that Shelby had likened to “herding cats” thanks to the antics of Sam’s two young nephews and Nick’s four-year-old twin half brothers, Sam was ready for a big glass of wine. It’d been her idea to include all the kids, and she didn’t regret it, but she sure hoped the four boys could find their way down the aisle tomorrow without making a huge scene.

“Thank God for Scotty,” Nick said, reading her mind as he signaled the waiter for drinks.

“No kidding,” Sam said. “He was the master cat herder.”

Nick leaned in to kiss her forehead. “From this point on, whatever happens happens. No worries, okay?”

Sam clinked her glass against his. “You got it.” After all, what did she care if the kids made a scene? She’d still be married to Nick by this time tomorrow, and she didn’t give a rat’s ass if the whole thing was a freaking spectacle. Her phone vibrating in her purse interrupted her musings. Sam withdrew it and viewed a text from Freddie: Thought you’d want to know Leticia Nixon came in and made a statement. We’ve got him this time.

“Yes,” Sam said, relieved to know Gardner would be locked up for years to come.

Nick took the phone from her and powered it down.

“Hey!”