“Yes?”
“Let’s invite everyone here for Christmas. That way you can meet my family and I can meet yours and no one’s feelings get hurt.
Merry nibbled her top lip as she mulled it over. “Okay. I think that might work. And speaking of invitations…”
“Let’s keep it small. Immediate families.”
“I meant invitations to the wedding.”
“So did I.”
“You’re kidding. How about close friends?”
“A few.”
“The people in our building?”
“Vegas is looking better and better.”
She shook her head. “Uh-uh. Eloping is not an option. Only daughter, remember? My father would kill me if he didn’t get to walk me down the aisle.”
“Which father?”
“Oh, that’s right! We’ll have to hold the ceremony after sunset.”
“You’re kidding.”
She tilted her head and looked up at him, batting hereyelashes. “Please?”
He groaned. “It’s a good thing I love you.”
“I could say the same for you. Now, can I think about the fun stuff?”
“What do you mean?”
Her eyes twinkled. “Shopping! I have a wedding dress and lingerie to buy.” She hopped off his lap and jogged to the elevator.
“Hey, don’t I get celebratory sex?”
“Sorry. No time for hanky panky.”
“Damn. It starts already?” As the elevator doors began to close he called out, “You’ll make up for that on the honeymoon, sweetheart.”
“Count on it!”
“The case has been solved!”Chad cheered.“I can’t believe it. Columbo came through. I guess he deserves his reputation as a first class sleuth, after all. Now we’re just waiting for the landlord to meet with him.”
Jason greeted Joe Murphy at the front door and shook his hand.
“Come in. I hope you don’t mind, but I invited some of the other tenants.”
“Gwyneth and Morgaine, I hope.”
“Yes. I figured they could help with the translation between you and Chad.”
“Perfect.” Joe followed Jason to the elevator.
Chad noticed a spring in Joe’s step.“Maybe he’s pleased about seeing Gwyneth again. Or he could just be strutting like a Peacock because he solved a challenging case. Maybe both. Hell, I don’t care if he brought his own trumpet to blow. I can’twait to find out who was responsible for my murder.”
