Married.

He grinned, giddy that the answer to Monalisa’s problem was such a boon for him. Oh, her father would not like it all, but once it was done, it was done. She would be free of that man and able to live her own life.

With Van.

He thought of a thousand different jewels in his hoard that he wanted to give her, but that couldn’t happen until they were back in Nocturne Falls. He had no ring for her. That bothered him. Maybe he would take a trip to a jewelry store before they went to the chapel. They would need rings, after all.

Harlan’s voice sounded from the hall. “Ivan, you decent?”

“Yes. Come in.”

The gargoyle walked in. “Are you really getting married?”

Van nodded. “As soon as we can.”

“Wow.” Harlan shook his head. “That’s great. I’m really happy for you.”

“Then why do you look so miserable?”

He smiled weakly. “You’re leaving the business, aren’t you?”

“I am. But it is time.”

“I’m just…” He sighed. “I’m going to miss working for you. You’ve been a great boss. And friend. You helped me out when no one else would.”

“You could always move to Nocturne Falls.”

Harlan’s head came up. “You mean you still want me to work for you?”

Van couldn’t commit to that yet. “I mean there is life beyond Las Vegas. Nocturne Falls is a good town. With good people. And there is opportunity. Nick, my friend who is here, he is a gargoyle too. He works for the town. Maybe you could do the same thing.”

Harlan looked skeptical. “Really?”

“Go talk to him.”

Finally, a real smile. “Okay, I will. But don’t you want some help?”

Van snorted. “I can pick out my own clothes.”

“No, I mean with the wedding stuff. You should really make a reservation at whichever chapel you’re going to use. Plus, you need to get your license from the courthouse, and won’t you want something afterwards, a dinner or a party or something?”

“I did not think about all that.” He gestured toward the front of the condo. “Yes, we want help. Tell Monalisa. Do whatever she wants.”

“You got it, boss.” He headed out.

Realizing that they might not be getting married as quickly as Van had thought, he threw on a T-shirt and jeans before going back to the kitchen. Delicious smells filled his house, causing his stomach to growl on the way. “I hope we’re eating soon.”

“We are,” Nick answered, looking over his shoulder from his station at the cooktop.

Harlan, Monalisa, and Pandora were at the dining table, phones out. Harlan was making notes on a legal pad.

Monalisa looked up at him. “Hiya, fiancé.”

He grinned. “Hiya.”

“We’re getting hitched at four o’clock this afternoon. Harlan took the first reservation they had. You good with that?”

“I am great with that.”

“Good. Also, I want to get a dress.” She bit her lip. “Is that silly? I know it doesn’t really matter what we wear, but…” She shrugged.

He shook his head, a little overwhelmed by the joy filling him. “This is your wedding—”

“Our wedding,” she corrected him.

“Our wedding. Nothing you want to do is silly if it makes you happy. And you only get married once, right? So do it the way you want to do it.”

“Okay,” she said softly. A smile lit her face. “Good.”

Pleased that she was pleased, he turned his attention to his sparring partner. “Harlan.”

The gargoyle looked up. “Yes?”

“You have my cards. Whatever she wants. Whatever it takes. Make sure the stores know that.”

“You got it, boss.” Then he got a slightly terrified look on his face. “Wait. You want me to go dress shopping with them?”

Van rolled his eyes. “No, I want you to call the shops they are going to and tell them to call you when it’s time to pay. You will be with me getting a tux. You cannot be best man without one. Because if Monalisa is getting a dress, we are getting tuxes.”

A broad grin bent his mouth. “Best man? Thanks, boss, that’s awesome. Okay, I can do that.” He picked up his phone and got to work.

Van went into the kitchen where Nick and Willa were cooking up a storm. He was happy to see porterhouses on the grill. He glanced at Nick. “Looks good. I guess Harlan told you I like steak when I’m training?”

“Actually, Monalisa did.” He flipped a large blueberry pancake from the griddle onto a tall stack. “And I think they’re about done.”

“Good. I will set the table. One of my few domestic skills.” He got plates out of the cabinet.

Willa laughed. “You’re about to be a married man, you better learn a few more.” She lifted slices of bacon onto a serving platter. “Gotta keep your woman happy.”

“Happy wife, happy life,” Nick said.

Pandora snorted. “I think you have to have a wife before you can say that, Nick.”

“Hey,” he responded. “We’re getting there.”

Van enjoyed the bantering going on. He started laying out plates on the table at the unoccupied end.

Pandora leaned back to see Nick better. “Then put a ring on it, already.”

Nick looked over at her, then looked at Willa. “Want to make it a double ceremony?”