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“Because it’s pushing ninety out there.”
“You could’ve not?—”
“Nope,” David said, whipping around with another armful of ice pops that he dumped into the chilled bucket. “You promised me a Christmas wedding. You and Dad might have wanted to go all cowboy, I get it, but I had all this Christmas shi—supplies—to go through.” He gestured at the bucket, then at the breakfast table covered in holiday-themed plates, cups, and napkins. Even the utensils had little Christmas trees on the end.
“It is July first,” Levi said, finishing up at the sink. He dried his hands and circled the island to Marsh’s side. “It was either Christmas in July or wait until December.”
“And risk you delaying it again?” David squawked. “No way in hell. Or more like Christmas in hell. I mean July. No objections!”
“Well, mark this date in history,” Marsh said as he handed a glass to Levi, then clinked his own against it, the both of them chuckling.
David rolled his eyes, hard, then with an indignant huff picked up the ice bucket. “I may just keep all of these for myself.”
“You’re not gonna share with Trevor?” Marsh teased, and David gave an even harder eye roll. “Oh-hoh, what’s that about?”
“He tried to convince me to add more Shakespeare to my summer reading list. The thrill is gone.”
“I know you know he’s an English lit professor.”
He flitted a hand in the air, then with a spin of his heel, cruised back outside, humming B.B. King melodies under his breath.
“He’s having fun, right?” Marsh asked Levi once David was out of earshot. He and David poked at each other mercilessly, but his son’s happiness was as important as Levi’s, two sides of the same coin.
Levi smiled, the fondness for his son radiating. “He’s having a blast. We gave him what he wanted.”
“And you?”
All that fondness shone Marsh’s direction. “There’s nothing else I want right now. Except maybe a kiss.”
Marsh obliged, leaning down for a slow, soft brush of their lips, the spicy rye and cherry sweetness delicious on Levi. Same as the outfit he’d worn today. Marsh loved his man in suits, but he loved him like this too. In a short-sleeved chambray with red and white stripes that showed off his biceps and hugged his back, jeans that likewise hugged his ass, and cowboy boots that had become well-worn over the past year. Marsh’s black Stetson had been a surprise; he’d figured Levi would’ve worn his white one too.
“Why this one?” Marsh asked, bumping a knuckle against the brim.
“I love the white one you got me, and I love the white one on you,” he said, bumping back against Marsh’s brim. “But this black one... I remember you wearing it that first day we were in Texas, when you rode out with Camilla.” Levi laid a hand over his chest. “It hurt here. I knew then I was in trouble.”
“I was so gone for you by then,” Marsh confessed, then dove in for another kiss. He would never get enough of this amazing man. Was ready to?—
A throat cleared behind them, and they parted to find Farmer and Press just inside the doorway. Hands clasped, they stood close, same as they’d been all afternoon, the two adorably inseparable, clearly smitten with each other. More than smitten if Press had bought a house here in San Diego and was making post-ball-career plans to be near Farmer.
“You guys having a good time?” Marsh asked as he rested against the island.
“You know how to throw a party,” Farmer said with a wide grin. “And it’s good to be around people like us, in lots of ways.”
Marsh loved working with the guy—he was a hell of a hacker—but this meant even more. Providing a safe, uplifting space where folks could be themselves and see themselves in others. His family, Levi’s family had made a point of it, and they were always happy to open their arms to more. “We’ll have to make more of a habit of it, yeah? Whenever Press is here in SD.”
“We’d like that,” Press said. “I also wanted to say thanks again for all the help this week. And I’m sorry for not telling you about us upfront. When Jamie said he knew some folks in San Diego who could help, I didn’t think it would be you two who’d show up at the house. Threw me for a bit of a loop.”
Farmer bumped his shoulder. “You got the best.”
“I’m grateful,” Press said. “For your help and to know Jermaine has such good people around him.”
“We’re lucky to have him too,” Levi said. “And I’m glad you’ll be back in your house soon.”
“Me too,” Press said.
The launderers had been arrested and booked, a formal inquiry opened at the sheriff’s department, Luis cleared of all involvement, and by tomorrow afternoon, Press’s place would be good as new, courtesy of the Madigan cleanup magic.
“It’s a lovely place,” Marsh said.
