“So, as a guy who’s said he’s trying to get married and have kids in the very near future, how does it feel to be in the presence of a veil-wielding lady? Are your hands clammy? Are you on the verge of buying a one-way ticket to Indiana?”

“I’m fine,” Ryan says calmly. “Cool as a carrot.”

“You mean a cucumber.”

“No, I hate cucumbers. Carrots are delicious and they do great things for your vision.”

I laugh and turn around as Ryan approaches. Despite claiming to be cool as a carrot, I catch a nervous flash in his eyes as he reaches out and grabs the bottom of the veil. I have to remind myself to breathe as he slowly lifts it up to uncover my face, pushing it behind my head to fall across my shoulders.

“I know this is sudden,” he says, “but I have to ask you something. Kara Sullivan...do you want to take Duke for a walk with me when we get back to the apartment?”

I give my smile free rein as I take his hands. “I do. I do want to take Duke for a walk when we get back to the apartment. Do you?”

“I do,” Ryan answers with a grin.

A second later, we jump apart when the store manager walks back in carrying Cristina’s veil in a white garment bag.

“Here it is,” she says, handing it to me while pulling off a note that’s attached to the hanger. “Please apologize to Cristina for us and wish her a very happy wedding day.”

“I will, thank you so much.”

Mission complete. Breaking further away from Ryan and our strange wedding vow imitation, I hold the bag up high enough so it doesn’t drag as I head for the store’s exit. I’m halfway across the room when he forces a cough.

“Hey, Sullivan. Do you feel like your posture is uncommonly straight right now?”

I freeze and turn around. “As a matter of fact, I do.”

“I thought you might.”

“I promise I wasn’t actually trying to steal the veil.”

Ryan walks over, looking like he only half believes me.

“If that’s the story you’re sticking to, I’ll go with it. But just know, I crack under pressure, so if the DA starts hammering me, don’t be disappointed when I sing like a canary.”

“Just help me take the veil off and we’ll talk about your snitching ways at a more convenient time.”

“Sounds good.” Ryan reaches up and pauses. “Is there a release button I should be looking for here or is there a pull string?”

“What? Neither.”

My head is suddenly yanked back and I wince as he tries and fails to remove the veil.

“Ouch! Just ease the claw out of my hair.”

“The claw? That sounds violent.”

“You’re the one making it violent and you’re giving me a bald spot.”