Glass Houses (47 page)

“That’s what I meant. I’m not ready either. So I guess that means we’re really compatible.”

“Uh-huh.” Except he was going to have to teach her not to talk so much.

“Would you marry me, Aiden Flynn?”

“Huh?” He kept completely still.

“I said, marry me. I think I’ve protested long enough. One mustn’t seem too eager about these things.”

He clamped her face against his chest and kissed the top of her head. “You’re right, overeage
rn
ess puts you in a weak bargaining position. I know the minister at a church near my apartment. A pretty church. Good people there.”

“
Sounds nice.” Yet again the tears flowed, and there wasn’t a thing she could do about them.

“Good. The minister has this sliding scale. The sooner the wedding, the higher the fees. Today’s Thursday. What do you say to Saturday?”

“Can we afford it?”

“Sure. As long as we throw in season tickets to the Mets, we’ll probably still be able to buy dog food for Boss when he gets back.”

“Sounds good. Personally, I don’t need food.”

“Me either. At least until I open the window shades one day and can’t stop myself from rolling up inside them.”

“Aiden,” Olivia said, grimacing, “that’s such an old joke.”

T
hey didn’t marry on Saturday. The minister was out of town, so the ceremony was a week later. Boswell had arrived back, but Olivia wouldn’t hear of his being the ring bearer.

Mama Zanetto went to the wedding and cried, as did her daughters. Olivia rather thought the daughters cried because they considered that Aiden should have married a nice Italian
girl. Mama cried, she was sure, for her son and the possibility that she’d never dance at his wedding.

Chris was best man. Sonnie stood up for Olivia and looked beautiful in pale mauve silk. She carried a single white rose in one hand, and baby Joan in the other arm. Anna sat on the altar steps and practiced singing her ABCs.

Conrad and Millicent FitzDurham flew over for the festivities, and Olivia’s brother, Theo, came with them. Conrad gave Olivia away. Millicent cried. To Olivia, Theo revealed his disappointment at her marrying a man who would always be beneath her. Olivia told him she thought that was often the most comfortable situation between husband and wife, although on occasion experimentation could be good for a couple.