“Kat West will keep her brother in check but I doubt it’s her better manners that he’s afraid of.”
Lavender chuckled in amusement and admiration. “She’s as bright as a bucket of sunshine but as ornery as a rattlesnake, according to Lane. I’ve always found her to be delightful. From a distance.”
Alon was taking feverish notes while Blink grinned back at Lavender. “I think we’ve covered everything for now,” Blink said and Alon nodded. “That’s all, then. We’ll talk again soon.”
The monitor over the mantle went black, leaving Lavender alone with his thoughts. He was ambivalent about the timing of the two weddings and bringing Reginald back while Leary was still on the loose and unaccounted for. But Lavender was incredibly happy for his friends and would do everything in his power to give them the weddings they deserved.
There was no greater gift than finding true love but you had to hold on tight and cherish it while you could. Time was cruel and would steal every moment if you weren’t careful. That’s why Lavender didn’t want his friends to put off their weddings or wait to celebrate their growing families. And that’s why he decided it was time for Sage to put his iPad down for an hour or two.
“How did it go?” Sage was reclining on the lounge with a glass of wine and a joint. He’d lost his shirt along the way and had kicked off his leather flip-flops by the pool’s steps. The bottoms of his jeans were rolled up but the cuffs were wet from splashing in the water.
“Rather well, I think. They wanted to discuss wedding plans and wedding gifts,” Lavender murmured. He shoved his hands in his pockets and hummed thoughtfully as he studied the perfectly manicured grass in front of his feet. He also had permission to take care of Frank Leary if Lavender decided he was a threat to Blink but Sage wouldn’t appreciate that development.
“Wow. That’s…good. A little weird because it’s so normal but good,” Sage said.
“It’sreallygood. Want to celebrate by going for a swim?” Lavender asked, unbuttoning his coat and giving his tie a suggestive tug.
“In the middle of the day? What’s gotten into you?”
The iPad was forgotten as Sage sprang to his feet. He yanked open the front of his jeans, then reached for Lavender.
“I’ve got you all to myself for the day and everyone we know has plans that don’t involve us,” Lavender said and groaned when Sage kissed him. He tasted like wine and weed but Sage was intoxicating in his own magical way as his tongue lashed at Lavender’s.
“Oh, no. We’re going in,” Sage warned and Lavender had just enough time to toss his coat at the lounge before they crashed into the pool.
ChapterThirteen
Time flew and Speed found himself holding Blake’s hand and strolling through the grass with all of their friends on a perfectly sunny Saturday afternoon. Sage and Wilder had headed down to Ezra and Denver’s cabin the night before to help get everything ready. Lavender left before dawn with Toly. Lane, Aiden, Speed, and Blake drove down together in Sage’s Subaru after breakfast. And Hawk and Grim arrived last, just before the ceremony.
Speed was impressed with Ezra and Denver’s “cabin” and their view of the lake. He envied the solitude and the house’s clean, modern architecture but Speed was humbled as he and Blake joined the others on the dock to watch Denver and Ezra exchange vows. All the gentlemen had dressed in sharp suits while Ezra’s mother, Helena, Julie, and Denver’s nieces all looked lovely in coordinating pale green gowns. Denver and Ezra looked handsome in light gray tuxedos. They held onto each other’s hands and Speed could see how strong their connection was and just how madly in love Denver and Ezra were. White roses from Sage and Lavender’s garden had been woven into the arch Wilder had built just for the occasion and there wasn’t a dry eye on the dock as the grooms exchanged their vows.
“We were just over there when I asked you to marry me but I didn’t picture any of this!” Ezra began shakily, making Denver burst into tearful laughter. Ezra had to sniff and pushed out a hard breath as he stared into Denver’s eyes. “I just knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. I’ve never been happier than I am when we’re together and you’re the best person I’ve ever met. I didn’t think I’d ever find the right person but I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with you and I haven’t stopped yet. You’re my best friend and you’re also the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love you more than I ever thought I was capable of. And I promise I’ll always cherishyouand do whatever it takes to give you the family and future you deserve.” Ezra’s face was etched with adoration and devotion as he slid a ring on Denver’s finger.
“You’ve already given me so much, Ezra,” Denver said in a gravelly rumble. “Everyone knows just how little hope I had left when we met. I was realizing I had friends who cared but you showed me the way back and gave me a new reason to dream. Every day feels like a miracle because I get to spend it with you. And you’ve made two new dreams come to life with Helena and Julie’s help.” Denver looked back at Helena and Julie and swallowed a shuddering breath. He swung back to Ezra, his eyes brimming with tears. “I get to spend the rest of my life withyou, and I’m going to be adad, Ezra!” He shook his head in disbelief and pulled Ezra closer for support. Denver rested his forehead on Ezra’s. “I have this big beautiful life with you now and I just want to say thank you. Thank you, thank you,thank you.I will never be able to thank you enough for saving me and loving me, but I will love you and protect you and our family until I draw my last breath,” Denver said as he placed his ring on Ezra’s finger.
“I think that means the two of you are married!” Rick, the elderly gentleman from the bait shop off the highway announced. He had cleaned up nicely, Speed thought. Or at least Speed assumed. He didn’t imagine that Rick wore the simple black suit and pink tie to sell bait at the shop. And Rick’s wild white hair had been slicked back and pulled into a ponytail and his beard brushed to downy softness. “You may now kiss!”
There were wild cheers, claps, and whistles before everyone made their way back up to the tables on the lawn. Denver, his father, Helena’s husband, and Wilder had caught plenty of fish and Sage had put out an impressive spread for lunch. There was a wedding cake but several raspberry pies had been purchased locally and served to guests. They were Denver and Ezra’s favorite dessert and had sentimental significance.
“I’m finally out of the sling and Lane’s designated driver!” Speed said as he held up two pint jars of champagne punch for him and Blake.
“I believe that also means you can dance with me,” Blake replied, sliding an arm around Speed as he joined him.
“I was hoping you’d ask.” Speed held his drink with his right because it was still stronger and allowed Blake to lead. Jazz music played from an old record player on the porch, adding to the laid-back elegance as everyone mingled and danced.
“You have to hand it to Lavender and Sage, they turned this into a gorgeous little day,” Blake said and Speed chuckled in agreement.
“They pulled off a miracle. I don’t know if Kat could have done better with her big binder. And I’m actually happy to see Marston,” he joked. Marston and Sloan had returned a few days earlier and were staying at Blackhurst until Agent Beesley could bring Francis into custody.
“Reginald looks a lot better,” Blake noted. He’d put on weight and had a more lucid aura as he laughed with Lavender and Sage. “I heard Paul had his hands full while they were hiding in London, though.”
“I heard about Reginald’s hallucination,” Speed said with a shudder. “I don’t know how Sloan copes with all of that. I’m sure the sex is incredible but I couldn’t handle Marston. He’s a rollercoaster.”
“I’ve heard the same thing said about you. But… Incredible?” Blake raised a brow at Speed as he sipped.
“You’re out of your mind if you think I’d change a thing about us,” Speed said, stretching toward Blake’s lips for a kiss. “Or the way we fuck,” he whispered.
“Good. I don’t know what Sage put in this punch but there’s a shed on the other side of the cabin and you should meet me there later.”