“Mr. Phillips—you gonna broadcast that wedding over the radio?”
“You bet I will!” Mr. Phillips barked.
“Sam! Evie! How’s about a picture for tomorrow’s papers, huh?”
“Of course!” Evie moved slightly in front of Sam, making sure they could capture the full glory of her new dress.
The photographer waved her back. “Evie, honey, could you step back beside Sam? We want you two crazy kids together.”
Sam waggled his eyebrows at her, that annoying smirk firmly in place. “Yes, future Mrs. Lloyd. I’m lonely without you beside me.”
“Come on, you two. Show us some of that magic,” the photographer shouted. At the crowd’s urging, Sam wrapped his arm around Evie’s shoulder and pulled her in close.
“Beauuuutiful! Give us a big smile—say ‘Cheers.’”
“Cheers!” Sam said, showing his teeth.
“Four weeks,” Evie said, gritting hers.
“That was ducky,” Mr. Phillips said a few minutes later, pumping Sam’s hand after he and Evie had posed for several more pictures with the WGI letters featured prominently above their heads. “Just ducky!”
“Wasn’t it, though?” Sam agreed. Behind Mr. Phillips, Evie glared at Sam.
“Go home and rest up before your big date tonight,” Mr. Phillips said on his way out. “You lovebirds will be out every night. Oh, and of course you’ll be sure to mention WGI.”
“Every chance I get,” Sam promised.
“Evie, I like this young man of yours,” Mr. Phillips said, his parting shot.
Evie gave her boss a bright smile, which faded as soon as he was gone. “‘Every chance I get’?”
Sam shrugged. “People are like puppies. You just have to know how to scratch their tummies. Speaking of…”
Evie cut her eyes at him. “You’re not getting near my tummy.”
“Don’t worry. My ticklers are put away. I need to speak to you. Privately.”
“Follow me,” Evie said with a heavy sigh.
Sam let out a whistle as Evie led him down the gilded halls of WGI. “This is some place.”
“Don’t get too sentimental about it. You have a limited engagement here.” Evie smiled sweetly at the coat-check girl. “Mildred, darling, do you mind if we borrow the shop for a few minutes?”
“Of course not,” Mildred said, slipping out through the half door. “Anything for you two lovebirds.”
Evie hung the BACK IN FIVE MINUTES sign outside the door and shut both halves. She leaned against the rack of coats with her arms folded across her chest. “You have two minutes, Sam.”
“I’ll dispense with the charm, then.”
“That was charm? Ha!”
“I’ve brought you a present, future Mrs. Lloyd.”
“Future Mrs. Lloyd,” Evie scoffed. “Gee, now I kinda hope you brought me cyanide.”
“I hear that’s the first-anniversary present. Here.” He handed Evie the envelope. “Whaddaya make of this?”
She turned it upside down, confused. “It’s empty, Sam.”