Page 89 of City of Love

In truth, I’m happy for Mina and Cohen. I’ve gotten to know them over the last four years, and they’re good people. Mina is sweet, and Cohen clearly adores her. Plus they’ve both been good to Lydia—I appreciate that. So I’m glad they’re happy.

I just wish I didn’t have to wear a suit for their happiness.

But it’s not about me, so I’ll be fine. And I have to admit, seeing Lydia so deeply in her element is something I’d hate to miss. She’s been happy crying on and off for days. It’s adorable.She’sadorable, and she makes this whole thing worth it.

Which is saying something.

“Hey,” I say when I find Ian hauling a large speaker over to one corner of the grassy lawn.

“Hi,” he says, though it’s more of a grunt.

“Need some help?”

He carefully sets the speaker down before straightening up and looking at me. He just studies me for a second, his eyes narrowing.

“You looked pretty cozy with my sister,” he says.

I shrug but don’t say anything. He’s right; I am cozy with his sister.

He just stares at me some more. “Are you gonna marry her?” he finally says, folding his arms across his chest.

“Oh, definitely,” I say with a nod, though his question is pretty random.

His eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously?”

“Yep.” I look around to make sure we’re alone before stepping closer to him. I feel around in my pocket before pulling out a small velvet box.

His eyebrows climb even higher. “You’re gonna propose at the wedding?”

I snort, tucking the ring back in my pocket. “No way. Can you imagine? She’d never forgive me if I took attention away from Mina and Cohen.”

Ian’s lips twitch for just a second, but then he’s back to his stony-faced self. “She probably wouldn’t,” he agrees. His eyes jump to my pocket before coming back to mine. “So you’ve just been carrying that around?”

“Yes,” I say with another nod.

His gaze turns speculative, and he takes a step closer, his arms still folded. “For how long?”

I grin at him. “I’ve had this ring in Lydia’s size for two years.”

At this point, Ian’s eyes look like they’re going to pop out of his head. “Twoyears?”

I shrug. “I’ve been waiting for her to be ready. To make sure she’s positive I’m the one she wants. I don’t want her to have any doubts when I propose.”

Another grunt from Ian, but there’s an approving look on his face now. “Good,” he says. He hesitates for a second, then says, “I guess I’ve got to accept that you’re going to be around for the long haul.” He had big problems with me at first, especially about the criminal aspect of my life—he’s a policeman, after all. But he’s slowly been coming around. It helps that I really was able to go straight; after turning things over to Vic, my life as a law-abiding citizen fell neatly into place, and I never heard from Comtois again.

“I’ll be around as long as she’ll put up with me,” I say.

Ian nods, but he looks suddenly distracted when his gaze catches on something behind me. I turn to see what he’s so entranced with, only to see Jade, her yellow dress the twin of Lydia’s. She’s hurrying off somewhere, and Ian’s eyes are tracking every move.

I look back to him, raising my eyebrows. “She’s beautiful,” I say, and I mean it.

Ian shakes his head slowly, exhaling loudly. “She is. She’s…terrifying,” he says, eyes still on the petite redhead.

I laugh, because I can see why he might think that. Jade is five feet of barely contained energy.

“She’s stubborn and headstrong and infuriating…and intoxicating,” he murmurs, and at this point it seems like he’s forgotten I’m here at all. He may as well just be talking to himself.

“Well, go for it,” I say.

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