There was another round of congratulations, even warmer this time.

Chloe was examining the rings again. “So, tell me about the wedding band. I sense there’s a story there.”

The band was platinum, smooth and simple except for the five small stones set in it, alternating diamonds and sapphires. “Luke took one stone out of each of his Super Bowl rings and set them in the wedding band.” He’d told her that winning her love was better than all his Super Bowl victories put together.

Chloe guessed something of his feelings. “What an incredibly romantic gesture!”

“You are so damned competitive, Archer,” Gavin said. “Trainor beat you to the engagement, so you had to up the ante by beating him to the wedding.”

“Since we’re discussing weddings, we’d like to invite all of you to ours in October. It will be at the chapel at Camp Lejeune,” Nathan said. He smiled down at his fiancée, his whole face softening. “Chloe has taken a liking to Marines.”

“I just like the uniforms,” Chloe said with a glint in her eye. She turned to Miranda and Luke. “We picked a weekend when the Empire have a bye, so we hope you’ll be able to come.”

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but you don’t have to worry about that,” Luke said. “I’m announcing my retirement tomorrow.” He snuggled Miranda against his side and smiled down at her. “I’ve got better things to do than toss around a ball.”

“I see a white picket fence looming large in your future.” Gavin knocked back the rest of his champagne and signaled the waiter for another bottle.

“Going out on top.” Nathan nodded. “Smart move.”

“Miranda has her own concierge and travel business, which is growing. I’m interested in finance, so I’ll be moving in that direction.” He broke into a grin. “It will be nice to come home from work without bruises.”

“Amen to that,” Miranda said.

The incredible thing was that Luke had made the decision to retire without any obvious hesitation. He was eager to do something new, something that challenged him in a different way.

“Got any more surprises for us?” Gavin asked as the waiter refilled everyone’s champagne glasses. “No one’s pregnant?” He glanced between Chloe and Miranda. “I guess not, since you’re both drinking.”

“I’d like to propose a toast,” Miranda said. “To Gavin. He gave us good advice when we most needed it.”

“Gavin?” Nathan said, his eyebrows lifted in surprise.

Gavin waved off the credit. “I simply stated the obvious. Any idiot could see that you wanted each other.”

“You told me I was the idiot,” Luke said. He raised his glass to the writer. “And you were right.”

After they drank to Gavin, Luke took Miranda’s glass and put it down alongside his own. “We’re still on our honeymoon, so I’m taking my wife home now.”

He looked down at her, his blue eyes lit with such tenderness that Miranda thought her heart would dissolve. “My wife. Only three other words are better.” He lowered his head so his lips were a mere breath away from hers as he said, “I love you.”