“I don’t mind,” TD replied. “Also, hi, Knot. It’s, um, it’s nice to meet you in person.”
“That’s what they all say.” Knot raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on TD for a prolonged moment before sweeping the group. “So I’m guessing this is everyone, huh? We’ve assembled. When do I find out my superpower?”
“After roll call,” Vincent said with a smirk.
Harley burst out laughing. Knot rolled his eyes. TD covered his face with his hands. Vincent was happy to observe. These were the men who’d helped him through some of the toughest times of his life, even though they didn’t know it. It was stunning to meet them all in person and see their personalities come out to play.
“God, xV, I knew we were going to get along great in real life.” Harley wiped a tear away from his eye, then nodded toward the wall. “Is everybody ready to get into position? Where’s our photographer?”
“Aaron’s right over there,” TD declared, pointing at a tall man with dark hair who stood a respectful distance back. He held hands with a preschooler in a tiny suit, blond haired and blue eyed—the spitting image of TD. Vincent assumed that the child was TD’s son, Bo.
In Aaron’s other hand, he held a camera.
“He’s ready,” TD said. “All we’re waiting on now is Gwynn and Alex. And Knot, knock it off, okay?Please?”
Vincent glanced at KnotMyProblem, who’d gone from sly to sour. When Vincent followed his gaze, he noticed he was looking at Aaron. The animosity appeared to be one-sided—Aaron seemed too focused on Gage to notice any ill-will directed toward himself.
Young love.
A grin crept onto Vincent’s face. TD, the martyr of the Single Dad chat, had found his happiness at last. After so long spent alone and longing for his long-distance lover, it was good to see them back together and committed to one another. The Single Dads weren’t so single anymore. If the trend continued, Vincent would be the only one left on his own.
“If we’re all ready,” Vincent said, directing the conversation, “then let’s get into positions. Everybody, remember to smile. We want this to be a happy memory.”
“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” Harley said with a chuckle. He slotted into position against the wall, followed by Knot, who made sure to stand as far away from the door as he could. “All these months spent plotting and organizing are finally going to pay off.”
“Next up: taking over the world.” Knot smirked.
“Or not,” TD protested. He stood closest to the door, then swept a hand through his hair one more time to smooth it back. “Besides, who has time for evil when you guys have to organize something for my wedding?”
Harley ribbed him gently. “We’ve got what, a year and six months? We’ll think of something.”
“And that something could definitely still be evil,” Knot added.
“Okay, okay!” TD laughed. “He’s coming! Hurry up! Let’s get ready.”
The last man standing out of place, Vincent slotted between TD and Harley and braced himself for Gwynning’s grand entrance. The group had gone over the plans extensively through a shared private message in order to keep the secret. Gwynn and Alex had no idea what was coming… or that a score was about to be settled.
“If anyone wants to chicken out, this is your last chance,” Harley said. “He’s going to be here in five, four, three…”
How was Harley able to know what was happening on the other side of the door? Vincent peeked in his direction from the corner of his eye and found Harley watching the screen of his phone. The sight was curious, but Vincent wasn’t able to give it much thought. Gwynn was on his way, and the excitement in the air had started to ramp up.
“Two…”
TD tensed as if holding back laughter.
“One…”
Four things happened at once at that moment—four things Vincent would never forget.
The doors opened, admitting Gwynning and his new groom, Alex, into the Kingsmen Club Banquet Hall.
Blue glitter exploded from a concealed place above the door, raining down upon the newlyweds and, to some extent, TD.
A camera flashed.
Silence descended upon the room, despite the fact that several hundred guests were gathered.
Then, as the moment passed, the silence was broken by a single, abundantly excited utterance from TD’s son, Bo. “Glitter!”
