Page 126 of Vow

The woman glanced down. “I know. It’s mine.”

“Yeah, so let’s worry about that later.”

Because later was coming all too soon …

• • •

“Just give me a second with him first?” Andino asked.

Siena nodded, but he could see in her eyes that she wanted to be the one to greet John first. The woman really did love his cousin, and after this was all said and done, Andino was going to make damn sure Siena and John were able to be with each other.

It was what they deserved.

“This place is beautiful,” Haven said.

Andino smiled over his shoulder at her. “Doesn’t look like a psychiatric ward, huh?”

“Not at all.”

“Good, it shouldn’t,” Andino said. “People who struggle with mental health don’t need to feel like they’re being shut off from the rest of society like there’s something wrong with them when they need a chance to reset, and figure shit out.”

Haven nodded. “You’re right.”

He would have continued that conversation, but something else caught his eye. John coming out of the entrance of Clearview Oaks Facility. Despite being two steps ahead of Siena and Haven, John’s gaze went to the woman behind Andino first even as he approached his cousin.

Not surprising.

Siena wasn’t the only one who was ensnared in this thing they called love, apparently. Funny how that worked.

“John, my man,” Andino said, opening his arms to embrace his cousin. “You’re looking good.”

John hugged him back with a firm squeeze, and even patted his back, but his cousin was still a little distracted in starting at someone else.

“You could say hi, you know,” Andino joked. “And I brought Haven along to meet you properly. It’s about time you meet the woman I plan on marrying.”

John blinked, and glanced at his cousin. “What?”

Andino laughed—not even the slightest put off by John’s distraction. Sure, he hadn’t seen John in far too long, but he would wait a little longer for a conversation as long as John was happy. And right then … he looked happier than ever.

“Shit, you didn’t hear a word I just said, huh?” Andino asked.

John glanced at Siena again. “Not really, no. Sorry, man.”

Andino slapped John lightly on the cheek and chuckled. “Nah, it’s okay. You’ve got a good reason to be off your game today. I guess they didn’t fill you in on who I was bringing along to visit, or what?”

“Leonard has his odd ways,” John muttered.

Still distracted as hell.

Andino found it funny.

“Sure, sure.”

“It’s good, though.”

He knew his cousin didn’t typically like surprises, but he figured this was a good one given he brought Siena along.

“Anyway,” Andino said, gesturing at the woman he’d brought along for him—Haven. “I said, I hope you don’t mind that I brought someone else to properly meet you. I mean, I know this place is supposed to be sacred for you, and all. Focusing on you, but I might not get another time to do this before you come home.”