Epilogue
Connor
Connor squeezed into the seat of the taxi Daisy had ordered for their latest team-building exercise. He squished between Hazy and Lover, and it was uncomfortable as hell, but Daisy insisted that if they got something fancy, the boys would be suspicious.
Daisy had spent the year putting together activities for various groups within the Freeze.
They were supposed to be on their February break, but Hazy and Lover eagerly agreed when Daisy mentioned the possibility of doing an event that weekend.
She always did a phenomenal job, and Connor had a great time at the events she had planned.
This one would no doubt be his favorite.
He tapped his bag, double-checking he had everything he needed.
Daisy insisted they wear their suits to the little cabin she’d rented ‘so they could go out right away.’ That was the lamest excuse Connor had ever heard, but Hazy and Lover didn’t question it.
Connor might puke, but not from nerves. He was excited. He got to be a part of a big surprise for his teammates, and it was about to be one of the best days of his life.
They pulled up to the cabin, and Lover whipped his head around, frowning at the decorations.
“Are you sure this is the right place?” he asked. It wasn’t Daisy’s family cabin; they needed something a little bigger for what Daisy had in mind.
“Yeah,” Connor said. “Daisy came earlier in the week to set some stuff up. This is the right place.” He led them through the cabin and out the back door, trying to hustle them through without giving it away.
It would be easier if they could bombard everyone at the same time.
The yard was beautiful, as close to a fairy tale garden as Connor had ever seen in real life.
“Wow!” Hazy said. “This yard is cool as shit! You could throw some awesome parties out here.”
Connor looked around. “Yeah, it’s kind of fancy, huh?
” A car door shut out front, and Connor dropped his bag on the ground, sifting through it and handing Hazy and Lover each a snack.
He led them to the spot Daisy had decided on and opened his circus cookies.
“I need you guys for this,” he told them as they unwrapped their own snacks.
“Need us for what?” Lover asked, but he held out his Charleston Chew, ready to cheers. They tapped their treats together and stuffed them in their mouths as the back door flew open. Dylan, Sarah, Roxie, Patrick, and Sophia, carrying a chubby-cheeked baby, joined them.
Connor thought that’s when they’d get it, but Hazy pointed at Roxie and Sarah and said, “You guys are here too? You aren’t on the team.”
Roxie and Sarah frowned at them, but Connor saw the moment it clicked in their brains, and both women let out a high-pitched squeal.
Patrick groaned. “You two are fucking thick.”
Connor rolled his eyes because Patrick would be equally clueless if he weren’t required to be in on the secret in order to marry them. He sidled up next to Connor, who accepted a hug before Patrick stepped into his officiating role.
Dylan pressed play on the stereo system like Connor had shown him, and tinkling, whimsical music poured into the backyard.
Daisy followed her cue and, accompanied by Grayson, made a grand entrance into the backyard. She was fucking gorgeous in a flowing white dress, holding a bundle of wildflowers. “Surprise!” she yelled across the yard, and it finally fucking clicked for Hazy and Lover.
“Bro, you’re getting married right now?” Lover asked.
“What the fuck? Why didn’t you tell us?” Hazy asked.
Daisy and Grayson walked quickly over to them, disregarding the beat of the music and normal bridal cadence. “Because I knew you would want to help, and we wanted small. Our favorite people in a beautiful location. That’s it.”
She let go of Grayson’s arm and hugged Connor. He squeezed her tight, not wanting to let go, even though he knew he had to if they were going to do this thing right. He relented, but kept her hands grasped in his own.
Daisy squeezed his hands and held his gaze for several precious seconds before turning to her childhood friend and saying, “Take it away, Patrick.”