“How do I look?” Rusty smoothed down his suit jacket. Ran a hand through his hair. He didn’t like it short. Why did he ever cut it so short? It was something Danny had said. Rusty should know better than to listen to Danny about haircuts.

“Handsome.” Isabel turned to face him. Straightened his tie. Then she adjusted her grip on his tie and pulled him close. Rusty leaned down and Isabel whispered in his ear, “You can’t run from me now, Robert, so don’t even try.”

Rusty leaned back and grinned, looking into Isabel’s big, dark eyes. God, she was gorgeous. “Who says I want to run?”

Isabel just looked at him, a little amused. Only a little.

“Is it that obvious?”

“No.” Isabel released her hold on Rusty’s tie, let the silk slip through her slim fingers. “But I’m a detective. I can tell.”

“It’s just…” Rusty ran his fingers down Isabel’s cheek. “It’s bad luck to see the bride before… before the…” Damn. He couldn’t even say the word.

“But it’s worse luck to not see the groom. At all.” Isabel turned her head. Kissed Rusty’s palm. Smirked. “How else could I be sure you’d show up?”

“I’m not the marrying kind, Isabel.” Rusty said it, but he knew they were just words. It was another game. In reality, he’d been the marrying kind ever since they met. She just didn’t know it. Rusty didn’t want to make it too easy on her. “Don’t expect too much from me.”

“I won’t.” Isabel smiled – that knowing, sly smile that made Rusty want to kiss her. “Are you ready?”

Rusty pulled the veil – white lace and pearls – down over Isabel’s eyes. “I’m always ready.”

“But are you ready for this?”

“No. But I love you. And that has to count for something.”