Rick didn’t bat an eyelid. To Ian, he continued, “I’ve made space in the last bedroom as it has a nice view over the flower fields, and you can see Rick as often as you want.”
Is he serious? We haven’t talked about it.Ian was used to having lengthy discussions, and this just seemed all too easy.
I told you it would be fine.
But I didn’t even get to—
Don’t look a gift elephant in the eye. He wouldn’t have cleared a space if he wasn’t happy. Trust me.
He did trust his mate. That didn’t mean Ian wasn’t conflicted and a little wary at the ease with which everything was happening. He’d wanted to be sure he wasn’t putting anyone out. It wasn’t in his nature to take advantage of any situation.
Then he really looked at Rick, and the wide, pleased grin said it all. He wanted this, they both did, and Ian couldn’t find a thing wrong with it.
“Thank you, Ernest. Just know if I ever get underfoot, tell me, and I’ll move back to my home office.” He might cry, after the excitement he was currently feeling, if that happened, but he’d deal with it—kind of—hopefully.
“It’s a non-issue for me.” Ernest gave a nonchalant shrug and got into the truck. “I’ve plenty of space, and it’s not like I’ll be inside for you to be a bother. So let’s hear no more about it.”
When he winked at Rick, the kind that spoke to conspiracy Ian, he got the sense they had talked, and Rick had maybe encouraged Ernest to bring it up in Ian’s presence, so he didn’t have to say anything. Trust his mate to make it so easy on him. Again, just one more reason to fall in love.
I wanted you close, and now you can be.
Out loud, Rick said as Ernest drove off, “We’ll get you set up and then I’ll teach you to cut and pack flowers.”
He felt Rick’s pride in what he did, and Ian’s chest expanded with warmth at how much Rick wanted him to be a part of his life. When Rick threaded fingers with his empty hand and brought his knuckles to his lips and brushed a kiss over them, Ian released a shuddery exhale. Their gazes held, and what Ian saw there in the depth of those beautiful eyes was everything and so much more. “Lead the way then, boss,” he murmured feeling a little overwhelmed.
Rick’s chuckled response was downright dirty. “Boss, I like that.”
So do I!
Ian couldn’t wait for the party, so he could show everyone just how damn lucky he was.
We’re gonna be the envy of the party.
Ian couldn’t agree more, they absolutely would be.
Chapter Fifteen
Rick
Rick hadn’t realized that the mating party was going to be quite so big. He knew, of course, that Ian had friends, but seeing as none of Ian’s family had thought it was appropriate to come—Rick wasn’t sure if they’d even been invited—he did think that would at least cut the attendance down by half.
As he looked across at the various people, all standing in groups, laughing and joking with each other, with the smell of barbecue in the air, and fresh-baked cakes that smelled delicious, Rick realized this party was a coming-together of the various points of his life, too.
Did he adore that Ian wanted to show him off, introducing him to everyone? Absolutely. He was a bear and really didn’t have an issue with being the center of attention. Ian was quite surprised to realize that Rick already knew Niall, Morty, and Hector.
And then, of course, there was Ernest, who had been Rick’s friend for so long, and perhaps more importantly—at least in Rick’s mind—had given Rick a safe place to fall when he needed it.
There were other people there, their connections not quite as evident to Rick, but apparently they were important to the friends in Ian’s life. Hector’s father had turned up, which was a big deal, and so had Lionel’s mother.
A couple of Brad’s siblings were there, along with his parents, who were all amazing people, and they all treated Ian like a member of their family. They just fit in with everybody else.
Rick noticed there was a couple of times when Ernest's eyes darted all over the place looking for the exits, and he understood. So many people together was a lot to cope with. But then Toby would dash up to him and squeeze his biceps with a gorgeous smile. Ernest just seemed to melt into a puddle, settling down again.
That is so damn cute,Rick thought with a grin.I’m going to tease him so much about this at work.
It wasn’t a time to be thinking about work. It was a time to be focusing on friends. Rick looked over and caught the eye of Charlie and Pip, who had also shown up. That had been a little awkward for him, not that Rick let that show. He’d never had a point where his old life and his new life had ever converged before.
Going to that dude ranch event really changed things, he thought, as he grinned at Charlie and Pip, and then looked for Ian. Ian was engrossed, standing and talking to Morty and Hector, admiring the ever-growing baby.
