Page 84 of Stolen

“Fine. Okay. Sure.” Parker took a deep breath as he brought his hand back down to his side. “Sorry for freaking out. I think it’s just hitting me that this is it. Like, this is the biggest thing I’ve ever done.”

“But you’re happy to do it, right?”

“Are you kidding me? I’m fucking honored to be marrying Nicholas.” Parker laughed, this time a lot more sincerely. “This is going to be the best day of my life. Assuming we avoid all disasters.”

“In that case, let’s avoid all disasters.”

“Easy as pie.” Parker laughed again before his expression turned serious. “Hey. Quick question.”

“Yeah?”

“You are going to marry Leo, aren’t you?” Parker quirked an eyebrow. “Because if you don’t, someone else is going to swoop in before you know it. He’s a catch, Jacob. Don’t try to play games here.”

“Who said anything about playing games?” I playfully scoffed. “You ever think that the rest of us were holding off on wedding planning because we were waiting on you and Nicholas to get through your wedding first?”

“How very kind of you.” Parker smirked before he started to walk away, motioning for me to follow behind him. “Come on. It’s time for pictures. If we’re late, Nicholas is going to hold it against us forever.”

“I do.”

“I do.”

The people in attendance at the outdoor wedding roared with applause as Parker and Nicholas leaned in for their big kiss. Leowas standing in the row right in front of me, trying to discreetly wipe away a few tears in his eyes. Even Damon seemed like he was getting choked up by the ceremony, sniffling a time or two as he stood by my side.

It didn’t take long for the ceremony to shift into party mode as everyone headed to the reception area inside the cabin. Once we were inside, the place was overflowing with hearty Virginian food, chicken and potatoes, seafood that made my mouth water with its buttery scent. Leo and I filled up our plates before we took a seat at the main table with Parker and Nicholas, both of them totally engrossed in each other.

Sam and Damon sat next to them, with Sam smiling as he fixed Damon’s tie, right before pressing a kiss against his temple. As soon as we sat down, Sam turned his attention toward us, his face still bright with a smile.

“You two! Are you coming to our engagement party or what?” Sam pressed. “Don’t make me hunt you down because I will.”

“He will. He’s not kidding,” Damon added, leaning back in his seat. “He can find anyone, anywhere. He should really be using his talents for the FBI.”

“Of course, we’re coming to your engagement party,” I replied. “But does an engagement party mean that you two have finally locked down a date for the big day?”

“We did. But we weren’t going to send out wedding invitations until we got to celebrate Parker and Nicholas on their big day,” Sam replied as he nodded over at the happy couple. “It just seemed rude to take any attention away from their ceremony.”

“Wait, Sam.” Damon held up a hand. “Maybe we need to consult with Leo and Jacob about the wedding date? Just so we don’t end up having the same one?”

“I don’t—um—” Leo started, his cheeks turning red as he spoke.

“How about that promotion you got up in Roanoke, Leo?” Sam added, obviously trying to change the subject. “Is that working out well for you?”

“It’s working out perfectly!” Leo happily latched onto the subject change.

“So, you’re liking Roanoke?”

“I’m loving it.” Leo nodded. “And it’s not just the job, even though that has great perks, and a lot of flexibility so I can travel whenever I want. It’s also the people? I don’t know. There’s just something about this city. It makes me feel like I’m at home.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Sam replied, as he looked over at Damon. “Once you get here, it’s like, you never want to leave again.”

“Plus, that place you and Jacob got for yourself was a total steal,” Parker said, with a wide grin. “Seriously. You should invite me over more often.”

“Why? So, you can rummage through our kitchen and help yourself?” I joked.

“Hey! That only happened once?—”

“Twice—”

“Twice!” Parker broke into a laugh. “And all I did was make myself a sandwich. There’s no way you can be that greedy when it comes to bread and deli meats.”

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