“She’s over there. But you might want to sit down and maybe have something to eat.” He got a server over and his dad dived into the shrimp puffs and stuffed mushrooms like they were going out of style.
“You’re very talented, and I don’t care if you are a guy, you look better in a dress than most women.” He toddled away, and James didn’t know quite what to make of it. In the end, he figured it was his dad’s way of dealing with everything. Well, that and being well on his way to drunk.
“Come on,” James said, taking Daniel by the hand, leading him through the gathering and into one of the garden rooms, which seemed quieter. “This is weird in a really good way.”
“What were you expecting?” Daniel asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe I should be grateful, but I guess that out of the drag, I was hoping to have you all to myself for a little while.” He tugged Daniel into his arms. “But that’s never going to happen, is it? You’re always going to be surrounded by people and fans who want a piece of you.” James was really beginning to get that now.
“Is that a problem?” Daniel asked.
“Nope, as long as you come home to me instead of them. They can have a tiny piece of you, but I get the whole thing.” He grinned and kissed Daniel once again.
“God. Am I going to walk in on you two making out all the time?” Margot asked in that way that teenagers have. “Because it’s kind of sad when my brother gets more action with guys than I do.” She smirked, tipping her glass to her lips.
“Do Mom and Dad know you’ve got that?” James growled.
“It’s grape juice.” Once again, she played the put-upon teenager to the hilt. “I know you’re a cop, but you don’t need to be a fuddy-duddy.” She came over and gave James a hug anyway. “Dating a drag queen is the coolest thing you’ve ever done in your life. Don’t fuck it up.” She giggled. “And don’t worry about Mom and Dad. I’m going to get them to binge-watch RuPaul.” She lifted her glass and then swept out of the room, with the two of them following into dinner.
James sat up at the head table, and it seemed a place had been prepared next to him for their officiant.
The bridesmaid sitting next to Daniel spent much of dinner doing her best to ignore him, and a few of the groomsmen went out of their way to avoid both Daniel and James, not that James cared. Weston was still an ass, and one of the other guys, someone he and Holly had known for years, gave James the cold shoulder, but all in all, the people he’d known most of his life seemed to accept him for who he was and didn’t make a fuss.
“Do the two of you intend to dance?” Holly asked as she came up behind them once the meal was done.
Daniel hesitated. James didn’t. “Yes.”
“Good. That woman over there is Howard’s aunt Sybil. She’s a real uppity bitch. He made me invite her. Be sure to dance over her way. I’m sort of hoping the old bat has a stroke or something. She actually asked Howard if he had to marry me.” Holly gaped. “She’s been sitting at her table all evening, apparently complaining about everything from the food to where she’s seated.”
Daniel took Holly’s hand. “Don’t worry. James can dip me and then plant one on me right in front of her. Give the old ’phobe a real show.”
Holly grinned. “Perfect. Maybe she’ll leave and stop casting a pall over that side of the room.” She swept away, and the head table cleared out for the introduction of the bridal party and the first dance, which Howard and Holly did before inviting the rest of the party to join in.
“Ready?” Daniel asked, taking James’s hand.
“I’ve been looking forward to this since that lesson.” He led Daniel to the floor, pulling him close, moving easily through the dance. “The wedding is nearly over, and tomorrow we go back to Chicago.” The song changed, the music slowing, and they continued dancing, with James gazing into Daniel’s eyes.
“I know, and I’ve been thinking…things are going to be different for both of us.” Daniel smiled, and James wondered what he was up to. He leaned in a little closer. “Maybe you and I should have some rules…you know, a way to understand what’s expected.”
James moved them in a slow circle. “Oh, you think so, huh? What exactly crossed that devilish mind of yours?”
As if to prove his point, Daniel smiled evilly. “Well, I’ve had a chance to ponder it and I’ve come to the conclusion that your mother may have gotten a few things right.”