They followed Shelby to the elevator, which transported them to the hotel’s rooftop where the reception would take place. She showed them into a small salon. “I’ll be right outside when you’re ready for photos.”

“Thank you.” Sam closed the door and turned to Nick. “Are you okay?”

He looked confused and undone, which Sam deeply resented. “What’s she doing here?”

“She crashed. I took care of it. I said she could stay for the ceremony, but I let her know she wasn’t welcome here.”

He shook his head, his mouth set with dismay. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

“Look at me,” Sam said.

In his eyes she saw disbelief and resignation.

“We’re not spending our first minutes as husband and wife talking about someone who’s not worth our time.” As she watched him make a huge effort to shake it off, Sam raised her hands to his face and kissed him softly. “She’s not worth our time.”

His arms encircled her waist. “Did you rip her to shreds?”

Sam smiled at his attempt at humor. “I made confetti out of her.”

“I really wish I could’ve seen that.”

“Someday, I’ll tell you all about it, but not today.”

“I’ll look forward to that.”

Sam kissed him again. “Will you be all right?”

“Yeah. Thanks for having my back.”

“Always.”

He reached for her right hand and removed her engagement ring, placing it on her left hand with the low-key but elegant diamond band. Running his thumb over the two rings, he said, “Do you like your ring?”

“It’s beautiful and perfect. And it won’t get in the way at work.”

“I knew you’d say that.”

She captured his left hand. “What do you think of yours?”

“I love it. Very classy.”

“Just like you.” Sam kissed his ring. “I’ve always thought there was something so incredibly sexy about a wedding ring on a man’s finger. It tells the world he has pledged himself to someone and isn’t afraid to say so. Everyone you meet will know you’re taken. I like that.”

“Then I’ll never take it off.”

“You have to take it off at least once so you can see the engraving.”

“All right, but just this once.” He slid the ring from his finger and tipped it into the light so he could read the inscription. She hadn’t expected him to laugh. “Take a look at yours.”

Sam removed both rings and held up the wedding band so she could see inside. You’re my home. Always, Nick. She looked up at him, astounded. “No way! No wonder why Shelby seemed so surprised by what I’d chosen!”

Nick laughed again, and the sound warmed Sam’s heart. Thankfully, he seemed to have rebounded from the shock of seeing his mother. “What a pair we are, huh?”