Page 108 of Wrecked

Ian steps in beside me, and Trey and Chris appear on my other side.

Finally, Cooper finds his tongue and tells the kid, “Yeah, can’t you see I’m taken?” And then he pulls me into his arms and kisses me right in front of the little punk who wants my man. “You were right,” he says to me. “Next time, you can give me a hickey.”

After Cooper’s had enough dancing to last him a while, we all head back to the table. We order another round of drinks, and we all tease Cooper about his barely legal admirer on the dance floor.

“He called himDaddyto his face?” Tyler asks, trying hard not to laugh. “Seriously?”

Cooper glares at Tyler. “Like no one’s ever called you that before?”

“Honestly, they haven’t.” Tyler runs his fingers through his short, dark hair. “What can I say? No gray hair.”

Ian grins as he brushes the hair at Tyler’s temple. “Well, at least not much,Daddy.”

I put my arm across Cooper’s shoulders. “I told Cooper he’d get hit on tonight. The silver fox vibe is hot.”

Our new round of drinks arrives.

Ian raises his glass—a vodka soda. “A toast to the happy couple. In four short days, you two will join us old married folks in the state of holy matrimony.”

Tyler raises his Coke. “May you be as happy as Ian and I are.”

“Aww,” Ian says, laying his head on Tyler’s shoulder. “That was so sweet, babe.”

“Oh, my God,” Trey groans, covering his face as he reaches for his beer. “I can’t take all the sappy vibes.”

“You’re just jealous,” Chris says. “I think it’s sweet. We should all be as lucky as these guys are.”

“So, Sam,” Tyler asks with a perfectly straight face, “exactly where is Cooper getting his hickey?”

I smile. “Oh, there are so many options, I don’t know where to begin.”

“Maybe I’ll give you a hickey,” Ian says to his husband.

Tyler smiles indulgently at Ian. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

* * *

It’s after midnight when we call it a night. Tyler and Ian drive Chris and Trey home. Cooper and I walk down the street to where we parked the Jag.

Cooper opens the passenger door for me.

“Thank you,” I say. Before I slide into my seat, I add, “And thanks for dancing with me tonight. I know it’s not your favorite thing to do.”

“It was good practice for our wedding reception.”

At the mention of a wedding reception, I can’t help but think back to the time I asked Cooper to dance with me at Beth and Shane’s wedding. When he said no, he broke my heart.

“Hey.” Cooper frowns as he steps closer and cups my face. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head in an effort to dispel the painful memory. “It’s nothing.”

“That wasn’tnothing. One minute you were all smiles, and the next you looked like—oh. You’re thinking of Beth and Shane’s wedding reception.”

“Forget it. That’s ancient history. It’s not important.”

“No, baby, itisimportant. It’s something I need to atone for. Actually, one of many.” He grasps my shirt and pulls me to him. “And I promise you, I will.” He gives me the sweetest kiss right in front of all the pedestrians passing by.

* * *