Billy’s hands went to his bracelets again, twisting them nervously. “Do you think... do you think Cord will be okay with that? Moving fast, I mean?”
Both his friends gave him identical looks of fond exasperation.
“Billy,” Cece said patiently, “that alpha would marry you tomorrow if you asked. He’s completely gone for you.”
“He really is,” Tristan agreed. “I’ve never seen an alpha so thoroughly whipped. In the best possible way, of course.”
Billy ducked his head, his cheeks heating. “I want to do this right. I want to give him a proper wedding, with all his team there and everything planned out perfectly.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Cece declared. “Operation Wedding Planning is officially a go. I’ll start a shared document tonight with all our ideas.”
“Of course you will,” Billy laughed. “Just... try not to go too overboard?”
“Me? Overboard?” Cece pressed his hand to his chest in mock offense. “I would never.”
Tristan snorted. “Remember when you planned that birthday party for your cousin and ended up with actual peacocks?”
“They were rented peacocks, and they were fabulous,” Cece defended.
“No peacocks at my wedding,” Billy said firmly. “Or swans, or doves, or any other fancy birds.”
“You’re no fun,” Cece pouted, but his eyes were dancing. “Fine, we’ll keep it simple and elegant. Classic. Timeless.”
“With really good cake,” Billy added. “That’s non-negotiable.”
“Obviously. What kind of friends would we be if we let you have a subpar wedding cake?” Tristan shook his head. “I’m thinking multiple tiers, maybe different flavors for each layer...”
As Cece and Tristan debated cake choices it hit Billy in that moment that he was content. He didn’t have his parents, but he had a found family who loved him and supported him in every way, even before Cord came into his life. It was fun, he realized, having something exciting to celebrate because he was with friends. Friends who chose him, not because they had to, but because they wanted to, and that made it all the more special.
His phone buzzed one more time.Mission wrapped up early. I’ll bring dinner home with me. Love you.
“He’ll be home soon,” Billy told them, unable to keep the smile off his face.
“And that’s our cue to go,” Cece said, gathering up his things. “You’ll want to pretty yourself up for your alpha’s return.”
“I do not pretty myself up,” Billy protested, even though he was already mentally planning to shower and change into the soft sweater Cord loved.
“Sure you don’t,” Tristan said knowingly. “Come on, Cece. Let’s leave the lovebird to his primping.”
They left in a flurry of hugs and promises to start serious wedding planning over the weekend. Billy stood in his doorway, watching them go, his heart full.
Five years ago, he’d thought he’d lost everything. Now he had a mate, a home, a future, and friends who loved him enough to argue about wedding centerpieces.
It’s going to be a busy few months,he thought, slowly closing the door and then hurrying to get in the shower.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The late morning sun streamed through the bedroom windows, casting golden light across the hardwood floors of their new home. Cord stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting his tie for the third time in as many minutes. His fingers, usually steady enough to assemble weapons in complete darkness, trembled slightly as he worked the silk fabric.
“You keep messing with that tie, and you’re gonna strangle yourself before the ceremony,” Bullet said from where he lounged in the doorway, already dressed in his own suit. “And then you know Billy’s gonna kill me for letting it happen.”
Cord shot his best friend a look through the mirror. “It’s crooked.”
“It’s fine. You’re just nervous.” Bullet pushed off from the doorframe and walked over, batting Cord’s hands away to straighten the already-perfect knot. “There. Now stop fidgeting before you wrinkle your shirt.”
“I’m not nervous,” Cord protested, even as he ran his hands down the front of his charcoal gray suit jacket. They’d decided against traditional tuxedos - Billy had said he wanted them both to be comfortable, not stuffed into penguin suits. The compromise was well-tailored suits that they could wear again, though Cord suspected Billy just didn’t want to deal with cummerbunds and bow ties.
“Right. That’s why you’ve checked your watch twelve times in the last five minutes.”
