“Well.” Her mother snorted, but there was no heat behind it. Instead, she gazed at Marcus helplessly as if she didn’t know how to handle his charm. “Please call me Dot. Nice to meet you.” She pointed at Mark, and then shocked them all by saying, “I’m real fond of your son. He’s a hard worker, and he takes care of my daughter. He gets a bit cheeky sometimes, but boys will be boys, won’t they, Marcus?”

Marcus threw back his head and laughed before extending an elbow to her mother. “Shall we find our table?” he asked, and she blushed like a schoolgirl and hastily accepted.

As both sets of parents walked away, Crystal turned to gape at Mark. “I can’t believe it. The DeStudo magic has worked again. How in the world did you and your father manage to do the impossible?”

Giving her a devilish grin, Mark said, “Just call me big . . . Mr. Big.”

“Oh brother.” She giggled, loving this silly side of him. Going up on her tiptoes, she murmured for him alone, “How about later, you show me if you can live up to that name?”

Pinching her on the butt, he looked around to make sure no one was near before saying, “There’s a broom closet somewhere around here with our names on it. Let’s go find it now. I’ve got something to prove to the woman I love, and it can’t wait.”

“By all means, lead the way, Mr. DeStudo,” she teased. “In case you didn’t already know it, I’ve always got your back—but I’m more than happy to handle your front as well.” Within moments, they found their own little corner of the world and they were happily lost in each other, just as they would be for the rest of their lives. If anyone in the other room missed them, Crystal was certain that Declan would stop them from looking in any closets.