Page 97 of A Taste of Whiskey
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Sasha beamed.
“It’s absolutely stunning. You win in the ring department, but I’m still the cuter elf,” Birdie said. She was wearing a headband with two stuffed candy canes sticking up like ears and an off-the-shoulder short red dress with three white-and-green hearts along the bottom and white fur trim along the hem, a thick green belt, and striped suspenders. She wore elbow-length, red-green-and-white striped fingerless gloves, and red platform boots.
“You do have a flair for costumes,” Bobbie said, looking great in a green minidress with red trim, red, white, and green ribbons braided into her hair, and green booties.
“I still can’t believe we missed all the drama while we were on our honeymoon,” Billie said. She was wearing black leather shorts and a red-and-white tank top that had DARE’SNAUGHTYELFacross the chest.
“I can’t believe Dare really didn’t run with the bulls,” Sasha said. Dare and Billie had come to see them after they got back from their honeymoon. They told them all about Spain and how happy they were for them. Having their support meant the world to Sasha and Ezra.
Billie smirked. “If I told you what he got instead, you’d believe it.”
“I don’t want to know.” Sasha shook her head.
“I want all the details,” Simone said. “Not about you and Dare doing dirty deeds, but about Ezra’s proposal. How did he give you the ring? Did he get down on one knee?”
“When is the wedding?” Sully asked.
Sasha filled them in on every little detail, getting choked up as she talked about it. “We haven’t set a date yet. We won’t wait too long, but we want to make sure Gus is settled with the move and at his new school for kindergarten, and, well, with us.” She lowered her voice. “I can’t believe I’m going to marry the man of mydreams!”
They crushed her in a group hug, and then everyone talked at once about weddings and dresses and happiness and everything in between. Birdie kept them entertained with news about her latest mission—finding a guy to be her plus-one for Cowboy’s and Sasha’s weddings. It didn’t seem to matter that they hadn’t chosen their wedding dates yet. Bobbie was all too happy to be Birdie’s wingwoman.
Birdie pointed at Billie and Sully. “It’s your jobs to keep Dare and Cowboy busy so they don’t find out we’re scoping out guys.”
“That’s like leading a child to candy,” Billie said proudly.
“What about Doc?” Sasha asked.
“I’ve got a few women in mind to keep him busy,” Birdie said.
A little while later, after catching loving looks from her man, who was now talking with her parents, Sasha finally made her way over to them.
“There’s your beautiful bride-to-be,” her mother said.
“I love the sound of that.” Ezra slid his arm around Sasha’s waist and kissed her temple.
“Me too.” Sasha put her arm around him, feeling happier than she ever had. The last few weeks had been amazing, not having to hide their feelings for each other. But being there, among the Dark Knights and all their families and friends, brought a whole new level of elation. She looked at her parents and hoped she and Ezra would be as happy as they were thirty-plus years from now. “You guys missed your calling,” she said to her parents. “You make a perfect Mr. and Mrs. Claus.”
“And you and Ezra make a perfect couple,” her mother said. “I can’t believe my baby girl is getting married. May I?” She lifted Sasha’s hand, admiring her ring. “It’s beautiful. Were you surprised?”
“Completely surprised. You should’ve seen how excited Gus was.”
“I think everyone here knows how excited he is,” Wynnie said.
“I told Gus before breakfast that I was going to propose, and I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did. Leave it to a five-year-old to blow my cover,” Ezra said.
“He didn’t blow it. It was a perfect proposal.” Sasha caught sight of Gus in Pep’s arms and warmed all over. “I love that Gus was part of it. It made it even more unforgettable.”
Tiny clapped Ezra on the shoulder. “You did good, son. Now, we need to get a move on. I’m sweating under this outfit.” Her father turned to the group and announced, “A’right, let’s get our bikes lined up and get this show on the road!”
Ezra slung an arm over Sasha’s shoulder as they headed for her truck. “I wish you could ride on my bike with me, but I guess I’ll see you and Gus at the hospital when we deliver presents.”
Sasha looked around. “Where is your bike? Did you move it?”
“No. Why?” He looked over to where he’d parked it, and it was gone. “What the hell?” He patted his vest pocket. “My keys are gone.Shit.Who’d steal a bike with all of us here?”
The old firehouse alarm in the Dark Knights’ clubhouse went off, and they looked over just as the bay door to Rebel’s auto shop opened, and Dare drove Ezra’s bike out of it, with Cowboy on the back and Doc sitting in a shiny black sidecar. Rebel jogged behind them, all four of them whooping and cheering as applause rang out, and all eyes landed on Ezra and Sasha.
“What the hell is this?” Ezra asked with a laugh as the guys climbed off the bike and out of the sidecar.
