Their team came over once everyone had finished, and Ash gave Sloane’s shoulder a squeeze. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to. He knew Ash was touched, same as Sloane was. They really had one hell of a unit here. Sloane grinned at Ash. “So which one of you made sure no one came looking for us?”
Ash coughed into his hand, and Dex laughed.
“Aw, Ash. You big softie.”
Ash rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” He so wasn’t fooling anyone.
As Sloane and Dex chatted with their friends and colleagues, they heard cheering. They looked up, and Sloane laughed at the giant, six-tiered donut wedding cake several fellow agents wheeled in to them. Dex gasped, and Herrera winked at him.
“We know you guys have your own fancy cake, but seeing as how Dex has been going on about a donut wedding cake for months, we figured this would be the perfect time to get him one.”
Dex wiped a tear from his eye. “It’s so beautiful and looks so delicious.” He pointed to the top of it. “I especially like the cake topper.” It was two gummy bears, an orange one and a blue one, and between them they held a red gummy heart. Dex clasped his hands together. “Okay, everyone, dig in!”
Plates were handed out, and everyone laughed when Dex didn’t bother with a plate. He just took the top two tiers filled with donuts off the cake. He blinked up at Sloane, innocently.
“What? It’s technically two pieces.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so.” There were enough donuts on those two tiers to feed their team. Or at least Hobbs. The last thing they needed was Dex on a sugar high, bouncing off the walls while Lou was trying to maintain some semblance of order. The poor guy had enough on his plate with the wedding and reception. Sloane had no idea how Lou managed it all.
Hudson and Seb joined them, with Nina and Rafe not far behind. Dex offered
them donuts. “Take some. Mr. Scrooge McDonut over here won’t let me stuff my face.”
Nina laughed as she plucked a pink frosted donut with shredded coconut from the top tier. “Well, you do have a tux to fit into. Lou will murder you if you need to get it adjusted. Again.”
“That wasn’t my fault,” Dex complained. “It’s all the training I’ve been doing.”
“And all the cake you’ve been eating,” Letty teased, taking a blue frosted donut with white swirls.
“You said cake, but what I think you meant to say was bench pressing.” Dex narrowed his eyes at Hobbs, who took six donuts, three around each index finger. Dex turned to Sloane, his bottom lip jutting out. “How come Hobbs gets to stuff his face?”
“Because Hobbs isn’t the one getting married on Saturday,” Sloane said, kissing Dex’s temple. “After the ceremony, you can stuff your face with all the wedding cake you want.”
Dex waved a finger at everyone. “You all heard him. None of you are getting wedding cake. It’s all mine.”
Everyone laughed and continued to pilfer Dex’s donuts until there was only one left, the one with the gummy bear grooms. Dex peered at Sloane, who had yet to take a donut.
“Don’t even think about it, Brodie.”
Sloane leaned in to kiss Dex, and while he had his partner distracted, swiped the donut. Dex’s scandalized expression made Sloane laugh.
“You’re adorable.” He took Dex’s hand in his and placed the donut on his palm. “And I love you.”
Everyone awwwed, and Dex plucked the gummy heart from atop the donut. He handed it to Sloane. “I love you too, holder of my precious squishy heart.”
Sloane opened his mouth, and Dex popped it in.
“You two are making my teeth hurt,” Ash declared. “I need something to drink. Preferably with vodka or something.” Ash walked off, and Cael cheerfully followed.
Sloane was touched by the effort everyone made to put together the surprise party. Zach came over with a big smile.
“Thank you for inviting me and my siblings to the rehearsal dinner and the wedding,” Zach said. “They’re very excited.” He pointed over to his three bear Therian sisters and six giant bear Therian brothers, all chatting and laughing with members of Unit Alpha.
Dex patted Zach’s bulging bicep. “Of course. How could we not? You’re part of the gang, and you sort of played an important role in mine and Sloane’s relationship.”
Zach arched an eyebrow at him. “Oh? How so?”
“You made sure my first impression was a memorable one,” Dex said, winking at him.