Perfect Alignment (Thorne and Dash 3)

They both laughed, and Riley said, “I just want to enjoy this feeling. This…”

“Euphoria?” Thorne suggested.

“Yes, that.”

“Me too.”

Riley glanced around as they strolled through the park. “No one’s even looking at us and how overdressed we are.”

“We’re hardly the most unusual sight here.”

“That’s true enough.”

They circled back to where a car was waiting for them. Thorne opened the car door and gestured for Riley to enter. “Your carriage awaits.”

“Hush!”

Thorne flashed an evil smile. “You have two weeks of this ahead of you.”

“Don’t you dare.” Riley glared at him as the driver pulled out into traffic.

“What will you do to retaliate?”

“Just you wait.” Riley’s predatory look was all he needed to start imagining the best type of revenge.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

When Thorne and Riley arrived at the restaurant, everyone else was seated and enjoying one of the wines Thorne had selected.

Marc gave Riley a hug. “Very discreet. You don’t even look like you’ve been up to something.”

“Ha! We actually haven’t.” He looked Marc up and down. “What about you, Mr. My-man-put-his-shirt-on-inside-out-because-I’m-so-hot?”

“Shh! We’ve been very well behaved.”

Riley gestured to where Darius was talking to Susan and Lauren. “He seems to be charming everyone, as usual.”

Marc nodded. “I don’t think there’s anyone here, with the possible exception of Derek, who doesn’t want to fuck him.”

Riley glanced at his brother-in-law. “Derek’s watching him, so the jury is still out on that.”

They laughed, and Riley squeezed Marc’s hand. “Thank you. For everything today. I was so nervous, so sure something would get fucked up and then…”

“It was beautiful. Your vows and Thorne’s were perfection.”

Heat filled Riley’s cheeks. “Thanks.”

Riley realized Darius was looking at them. “He’s watching you.”

Marc shook his head. “He’s watching us. We’re pretty together.”

Thorne signaled a server, so Riley took his seat across the table from Marc, next to Thorne, and Marc settled beside Darius.

“Are we ready?” he asked Thorne.

“I told the waiter to give us time for a few toasts and then bring in appetizers.”

“I don’t have to talk again, do I?”

“Only to me. And you can save that for later.”

Riley smiled. “I’ll have plenty to say then.”

Kathryn tapped the side of her wineglass, silencing everyone. “If the newlyweds can stop cooing at each other long enough, I have something to say.”

A waiter unobtrusively went around refilling everyone’s wineglasses. Riley could see why Thorne had chosen this restaurant. The service was flawless.

Kathryn stood and raised her glass. “To my brother and the man who is willing to put up with his shit.”

She paused while everyone laughed, and Thorne gave her a menacing look.

“You know it’s true,” Riley whispered.

“I am so happy to be part of this special moment.” She looked down at Thorne. “You could’ve chosen anyone to stand at your side today, and you chose me. We’ve had our differences, but we’ve always loved and supported each other. Now Riley is part of this family, and I will do whatever is necessary to make him know how welcome he is and that I’m in his corner. And finally, here’s to all the new friends I’ve made because of you two.” She tipped her glass toward the other side of the table before looking back at Riley and Thorne. “May you always remember the love you feel at this moment and know that it is enough.”

Everyone took a sip of wine except Riley. He couldn’t swallow because he was fighting back tears for the second time that day. He stood and moved around Thorne so he could hug Kathryn. “Thank you. I don’t know how to say how much that means to me.”

“You don’t have to. We’re family.”

Riley knew Thorne’s parents were coming around, but they might never truly accept him. Having Kathryn standing with them meant so much to him and to Thorne.

Thorne hugged Kathryn too. Then they sat, and it was Marc’s turn to give a toast.

“To my best friend and his new husband.” He dragged the last word out, and everyone cheered. “From the moment they met, Riley’s face lit up every time he talked to me about Thorne. Riley, we’ve been through plenty of ups and downs, and you’ve always been there supporting me even when I was an idiot.”

“You’ve done the same,” Riley said.

Marc nodded. “True, most notably whenever you start to doubt this thing you have with Thorne. No one can see you two together and not see how deeply you feel about each other.” He raised his glass. “Here’s to a lot of beautiful years together.”

“Thank you,” Riley and Thorne said together.

Thorne signaled for the server to wait. “I need to say something before we start eating.” He stood and looked around the table. “I think you all know that a few months ago I badly misjudged Riley and Marc’s relationship. They are close, and very comfortable with each other, and I was jealous for no reason. Marc, I want to publicly apologize for my mistake. You’ve been an amazing friend to both of us, and I’m honored to have you here today.”