“Or your mother will start wondering if we’re flouting her damned commandments again.” Daniel had to do something to cut the tension between them otherwise he was going to explode.
Thankfully James snickered. “You know, if that’s what she’s thinking, then it will be one of the few things that Mom might have gotten right with this wedding.”
Daniel rolled down the window, thankful for the crisp mountain air to help clear his head. It seemed that the last of his defenses had been smashed to the ground. Daniel breathed slowly, grateful that one of them had come to their senses. Or was he? Daniel wanted James, and he could repeat otherwise in his head until the cows came home, but that sure as hell didn’t mean that his heart was listening. And holy hell, James’s reasons for waiting… Daniel had been waiting to hear those words forever. He knew he was good in bed, and most guys were only interested in that…however they could get it. This seemed different, and…dare he think…maybe exactly what he’d been looking for. He stuck his head out the window and looked up at the stars, wondering if he actually dared to let himself hope that there was even the remotest possibility that the fantasy, the fairy tale, could come true for him.
Chapter Fifteen
“Where have you been?” Holly whispered forcefully as he and Daniel entered the restaurant.
“Sorry. I had to make a phone call.” James held her gaze until she nodded slowly. “Everything should be okay for tomorrow.”
“Good. Now take your seats so the dinner can start.” She led the way through the crowded restaurant to the private room in back.
“Bossy, isn’t she?” Daniel asked.
“Hangry,” James retorted. “This is what you get when she hasn’t eaten.” He pulled out Daniel’s chair and then took his own.
“Thank you all for coming and being part of our wedding,” Howard said after standing at his place at the head table. “Please enjoy the dinner and have a wonderful evening.” Everyone clapped as servers fanned out, taking orders and bringing drinks.
“Good evening,” Weston said as he took a place across from them at the table. Smug, smarmy bastard. “I thought I’d come over to say hello.” He leaned over the table, looking at Daniel.
“I suggest you go back to your table or you’ll be drinking your dinner through a straw,” James growled.
“It’s okay,” Daniel told him with a gentle pat on the hand. “Actually, I have a few questions I’m hoping Weston can answer.” Daniel smiled seductively. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not.” He leaned back in the chair as though he were content and had won something. All James wanted to do was beat the shit out of him.
“Awesome. So I was wondering what barn you grew up in? You obviously have the manners of a goat and the behavior of a pig in heat. I was wondering if acting this way really gets you what you want?”
Now it was James’s turn to sit back.
The woman seated next to Weston snorted. “I thought I was the only one he treated that way.” She hit Weston with a glare that could have frozen fire in its tracks. “I wish I’d have put him in his place that easily.” She extended her hand to Daniel. “Margie Bell. I went to school with Howard. And unfortunately for me, this loser.”
“Margie, I…”
“Unfortunately, I married him and then figured out what an ass he really was…and divorced him two months later.” She turned to Weston. “Go on. I’m looking forward to this evening, and that means not sitting anywhere near you.”
“Despite that lapse in judgment, you remedied that little walk down the path of bad taste.” Daniel glared at Weston. “You heard the lady. Get lost.”
James stood as Weston scraped his chair back, glaring hard at Daniel, and left the table. “Has he been bothering you a lot?” Margie asked before James could.
“Yes. Though he never had a chance. James is wonderful, and Weston has more lines of cheese than Kraft.”
Margie chuckled. “I wish I’d had your mouth when I was dating him. He was always crude. But be careful. Weston is vindictive. He believes in exacting a hurt for a hurt.” The server came to their table. James ordered the prime rib, and Daniel the glazed salmon.
“Do you mind if I have a taste of yours?” Daniel asked.
“Of course not.” James put an arm around Daniel, squeezing lightly and sharing a smile. It finally felt like the two of them were on the same page, and that not only added excitement and anticipation of what was to come, but also happiness and contentment. He still needed to check to see if an officiant had been found, but if necessary, James would figure out how to get ordained on the internet and perform the ceremony himself. One way or another, this wedding was going to come off, with hopefully a minimum of additional drama. “Thank you for everything you’ve done.” He leaned close enough that only Daniel could hear. “This wedding is going to be wonderful, and Holly will look amazing because of you.”