Page 163 of Adored

“Uh, well, you have to have paperwork submitted in advance,” he said, setting him up. “How long does that usually take?” he asked.

Poe considered it.

“I think it’s a few months.”

Gamble let that hang there.

“Can you wait?” he asked.

“No. I can’t. I need to be your husband. I need to be Mr. Doyle on paper. I want the whole world to know that I love you,” he said. “How do I make this happen?”

Gamble knew.

Why?

He’d submitted the paperwork earlier, and he’d forged his signature.

Sue him.

He also called Elizabeth when they were getting ready, and had her make a few calls.

The marriage license was waiting for them.

At.

The.

Magistrate’s.

“We can do it when we get back to the States. It only takes a day to get a license there. Can you wait until then?” Gamble asked, trying not to laugh and give it away.

Poe sighed.

“I guess I have no choice. I’ll wait a day or two, but as soon as we get back toNew Orleans, I want to get married to you, Gamble. I don’t want to be your boyfriend, lover, or fiancé. I want to be your forever.”

Oh, he felt that too.

Honestly, he was glad they were on the same page.

As he drove into the quaint but not-so-small town, he headed toward the address of the magistrate’s office.

When he parked, he pointed at the coffee shop across the street from the place they were really going.

And he made a leash appear for the dog.

“Is that suitable for a beverage?” he asked. “You know, to start our date?”

Poe nodded.

“I like their tea selection.”

Gamble teased him.

“What does an American have to do to get his man to drink coffee with him?” he asked.

Poe grinned.

“Go back in time, and make me an American when that half of the family went to America. If not, I’m a tea drinker for life. It’s in my DNA. Sorry, Mate.”