Chapter 11 #2
Archer grinned. “Yeah. Surprised the hell out of my family because they didn’t know about my boyfriend in university. They just saw me with my wife and it never occurred to them I might swing both ways. Until I introduced them to Gideon, of course.”
Gideon’s cheeks pinkened.
“You two make an adorable couple, and I’m glad you’re here.”
“Do you mind if we hang out here for a little bit?” Gideon bit his lip.
“To be closer to the food? Smart man.” I laughed.
“I understand—these parties can be overwhelming.” I gestured to the breakfast nook.
“No one will bother you there. I believe there will be some excitement in a little bit that you might want to be witness to—but that’s up to you. Snag as much food as you want.”
“Thank you.” Archer motioned to the corner with his chin. He and Gideon made their way over there.
When the door opened and Everett stepped in, my heart kicked up a beat. Stay cool. Just because he likely has no idea what’s about to happen, doesn’t mean you can give it away.
We chatted and a few minutes later, he made his way back into the main room.
Lucia returned. “Need more cheese. And you need to get out there.”
I surveyed the mess in the kitchen.
“Go.” Her imperious doctor voice always made me laugh.
“Hey, you two?”
Gideon and Archer turned my way.
“Join me?”
They nodded.
I patted the phone in my back pocket and headed into the living room.
Everett and Rayne stood with Maddox, Ravi, Arnav, Foster, Dean, and Adam. The six were laughing uproariously at something.
Rayne caught my gaze.
I nodded.
He stood on the fireplace and offered a hand to Everett.
After a moment, he took it and allowed himself to be pulled up. The men were a study in contrasts. Although the same height, Rayne had light-brown hair and eyes a tawny brown unlike anything I’d ever seen.
Everett had dark skin with intense dark-brown eyes. The lawyer always seemed vigilant, while his private-investigator boyfriend was always easygoing. They lived together along with their rescue German shepherd, Champ.
Rayne swallowed visibly. “Everett?” His cocky grin held, but I wasn’t certain for how long.
His boyfriend handed his drink to Dean, put his hand in his pants pocket for a moment, then joined Rayne on the fireplace.
“Okay. Now everyone’s clearly wondering what I’m doing up here.”
Sheesh Rayne, could you speak any louder?
He’d certainly commanded the attention of the room as a hush had fallen.
Of course, he was speaking to the people upstairs.
Whom I’d discreetly sent a text to. I tapped my foot.
“Get on with it. I have more pigs in a blanket in the oven.” And I was quite certain my above-stairs guests would burst down at any moment.
“I brought curry puffs too.” Dean grinned and his broad Aussie accent carried through the room.
“Right.” Rayne gripped Everett’s hands and guided him so they faced each other. “We’ve only known each other just over three months—”
Everett arched an eyebrow.
“Work with me.” Rayne whispered the words, but he was so nervous that I heard them halfway across the room.
Everett smiled ruefully. “Right. Three months. We met at Quinton’s Halloween party.” Said clearly so even those in the back could hear.
Hoots and hollers—especially from the group of men in their immediate vicinity. Oh yeah, the Halloween party—where the two had sex in my den upstairs. The party where Arnav and Foster hooked up.
I really do throw epic parties.
“And I just…” Rayne swallowed. “It’s presumptuous of me to propose. I moved into your house. I inserted myself into your life. I invited my dog to shed all over the place—”
“I love Champ—” Everett tried to squeeze that in.
“Well, that’s good to know.”
Just do it already. Good Lord, man. This was your idea.
“Will you marry me?” Everett grinned.
Sonofabitch. Okay, I hadn’t seen that coming. I hooted. Loudly.
A loud cheer went up, filling the room completely with joy.
Rayne threw his arms around Everett and pulled him in for a hug.
They kissed.
“Okay…now?” Because I damn well knew I could only hold the surprise off another few seconds.
Rayne met my gaze. “Yeah. Now.”
I sprinted up the stairs.
To be greeted with the entire Williams clan—minus one sister, one brother-in-law, and the nieces and nephews.
Denali pushed past me and clomped down the stairs.
Everett’s mother patted my arm. “You did good.”
“Please follow me.” I led Mr. and Mrs. Williams, as well as their daughter Ursula down the stairs.
To find Denali hugging Rayne.
“Hey, I’m your brother.” Everett, however, didn’t appear the least bit offended.
“Yeah, but he asked the family’s permission first.” Denali grinned. “And he proposed—”
“Actually, Everett beat me to it.” Rayne appeared a little sheepish with a grin on his face.
Denali turned to her brother. “Always the dark horse.”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“Oh, my darling boys.” Mrs. Williams stepped forward next.
Rayne, Denali, and Everett stepped off the hearth, and they hugged their family.
And then everyone else started hugging each other.
I glanced over to Gideon and Archer. Archer had his arms securely around Gideon and had the man pulled against him. They appeared…comfortable. Hopefully not regretting coming out for the party too much.
Lucia nudged me. “We need to take a photo.”
“Right.” I clapped my hands. “To commemorate this occasion, we need to take a photo of everyone here.”
Partygoers migrated toward the happy couple.
“Why don’t I take the photograph? So you can be in it.” Archer’s deep voice resonated. “You need to be in it.”
“Uh, okay. Sure.” I certainly wasn't going to insist the newcomers join us. I handed Archer my phone, then joined all my friends.
We smiled.
The picture turned out great.