Ian (Unbreakable Bonds 4.5)

She’d also brought meatballs with tzatziki sauce, spinach tarts, three different marinated salads, chicken kabobs, and a veggie tray. His mouth watered as he stared at food that could be served in a fine restaurant. He’d expected her to show with hot dogs or hamburgers when she’d called to ask if she could help by supplying their dinner Saturday night. His stomach growled.

She came around the side of the house carrying disposable plates and plastic utensils, a paper towel roll stuck under her arm. Her shirt was the kind of fluorescent yellow that made the eyes instantly blink. It was like being hit by high beams. Her dark hair was pulled up in a casual bun, and the happy smile on her face made him glad he’d accepted her offer to help. He could see Jude in that smile.

“This is incredible, Anna,” he said as he took the plates from her and set them on the table. “I didn’t expect something like this!”

“You boys worked a lot today. Hard construction work deserves good food.” She winked.

“All hard work deserves good food. You didn’t have to go to this much trouble.”

“Pshaw,” she sputtered, waving her hand at the table. “You share my love of cooking, so you know this is nothing. More fun than labor. You should see the amount of food when our whole family gathers.”

He’d heard about some of those get-togethers from Snow, who swore it took him a week to get over them every time. And speaking of Snow, he strode across the yard, then stopped to hug Anna. She stood on her toes and cupped his cheeks, whispering something that made him laugh before she walked into the house. It was still hard not to show surprise at the Ashton Frost of today compared to the one he’d known for years. Before, Snow had only been like this with his friends, rarely letting anyone into his inner circle. Jude had smashed through every wall Snow had, turned him inside out, then kept him, making him one of Ian’s favorite people in the world.

Snow could still be a moody jerk, but his unique brand of snark had rounder edges now that his circle of loved ones had expanded.

Jude came outside and walked to stand beside Snow, his hand automatically rubbing Snow’s back. The handsome paramedic had drywall dust in his thick, dark hair and a rip across his red T-shirt that gaped, showing a narrow strip of black hair. Ian appreciated the view. Jude’s particular mix of Greek and Spanish was a beautiful thing. His whole family was gorgeous, really.

“Lucas and I just got back from yet another supply run.” Snow scowled at Ian. “He’s well aware Hollis is fucking with us. He doesn’t need all that stuff this weekend.”

“Sure he does,” Ian shot back. But he couldn’t stop the corner of his mouth going up, especially when an annoyed Lucas came barreling out of the house. He stopped when Anna called his name and all traces of anger left his face as he caught sight of Jude’s tiny mother.

Everyone else filed outside, including Jude’s brothers, Carrick and Jordan. There was a lot of laughter and conversation as plates were filled and they all settled around the tables and in the folding chairs.

Hollis came outside, carrying the two bottles of bourbon and a stack of red plastic cups. He cracked up when he caught the glare Lucas aimed at him. He held out one of the bottles.

“Asshole. You think that makes up for four trips all over town?”

“Yep.” Hollis didn’t wait for an answer. He set it down next to Lucas and set the other one down on the second table. “Where did these picnic tables come from?”

“One of my uncles,” Jude answered. “He’s used to everyone borrowing them.”

Rowe grabbed a red cup. “I can’t wait to taste that special bourbon.”

“What’s so special about it?” Carrick asked.

Rowe filled him in and Anna, tears in her eyes, held out a plastic cup of her own. “We should toast them,” she said.

Ian would toast but he had no intention of drinking the liquor yet. He didn’t mind beer or wine with his food but preferred the harder stuff on its own. Besides, he didn’t want anything taking away from Anna’s gift for flavor. He took a bite of cucumber salad and closed his eyes in pleasure. He opened them when Hollis set a bottle of cold water next to his plate. Touched, he put one hand on Hollis’s thigh when he settled in beside him. A few months in and his boyfriend already knew his habits. Hollis paid attention to everything. Ian loved that.

The conversation slowed as the bourbon made the rounds. Anna even let Jordan have a shot and the teen gave Jude a mischievous smirk and held it up.