Two

Andy

T raffic had been a bitch as soon as I pulled onto the freeway to leave Sacramento, and didn't let up the whole drive, but when I finally pulled into town the slower pace enveloped me and welcomed me home. My old habits kicked in and I slowed down to below the speed limit and drove toward the downtown bar where I knew Link was waiting. I thought back to our conversation and how weird he'd been lately, but I also knew he was very busy with a few projects and trusted he'd eventually talk it over with me.

My mind wandered as I stopped at the four-way stop and automatically turned left down the main street. Just as I was about to pass the bar a tall figure walked out onto the road. Link. I came to a slow stop in front of him and rolled my window down. "Hey, stranger, think you can help me with someplace to stay around here?" I asked and waited to see if he would play along.

He crossed his arms and tipped his head as though he was considering my words. "I'm not sure, we don't take kindly to city folk 'round these parts," he said with a sexy country drawl that wasn't his own, but I loved anyway.

"Where oh where could a city boy like me find a place to stay," I asked while fluttering my eyes.

"Andy, park your car and get your ass in here," Erik yelled from the doorway to the bar. Sam waved from his side. I still couldn't get used to seeing Sam here even if it had been a few years. Once he and Erik made it official, they were inseparable. In some ways I envied them, they both knew what they wanted and went for it. Which, since I'd thought Erik was straight, had been a bit of a surprise. But they were happy as hell and that was really all that mattered.

Link watched as I pulled to the side of the bar and into a parking space. He hurried over and opened my door before pulling me into his arms. "Hey there," he whispered into my neck. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." I'd only been gone a few hours, but since we'd been a couple, I cherished all the time we had together. I wished I didn't need to commute to work, but I didn't want to give up my job in Sacramento and working two days a week there had worked out for us both. He kissed my neck before pulling back enough to meet my eyes.

"How was work?" he asked.

"Madness. I'm glad I only worked half a day today. The holidays are going to be crazy again." I kissed his lips and hummed at the familiar scent of him.

"You say that every year," he said with a smile.

"And every year I'm right," I reminded him. "Is everyone here?" We had celebrated this tradition for years now. We'd all get together at the bar on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, and hopefully not be too hung over for dinner the following day. After the year I did way too many shots I had really been careful about not overindulging. It was fun for a minute and misery for days, and that year it made me forget that Link had confessed his love for me. I still couldn't believe I could forget that.

"Most of them, except Morgan but he's on his way," Link gave me a tight smile and looked nervous—or worried. I wasn't sure which, but I took his hand and the two of us walked across the street just as Morgan came jogging around the other side of the building wearing a pair of old jeans and a worn T-shirt that if I had to guess was a hand-me-down from my younger brother Lance. If I didn't know he wasn't originally from here I would never have guessed it, he fit in as easily as if he'd been born here.

"Hey, Andy, how's the city?" he asked and went right in for a hug.

"Morgan, good to see you. It's same as it always is; everyone is busy, the traffic sucks, and it's too far away from home." I squeezed Link's hand and the three of us walked into the bar together.

"Yeah, I gotta say I don't miss that shit at all." He hurried over to Stu who pulled him in for a hug and a kiss.

It still amazed me how different Stu was now than he had been before he met Morgan. He was at peace now, and it was obvious to anyone who saw them together how much in love they were. Link winked at me, and I knew he was thinking the same thing. We'd talked about it a few times, and both of us were as happy as we could be for the two of them. What was the chance of meeting the love of your life after he'd been dumped in your field? Stu should have bought a lottery ticket that day because it was definitely his lucky day.

"Andy!" Everyone else in the group shouted as soon as they saw me.

"Hey, guys," I said back to them.

"Shots all around," Curt yelled and immediately got bombarded with crumpled up napkins and coasters. Blair and Jase stood next to him, and I could see her trying not to do more than throw a napkin.

Just thinking about shots made my stomach protest. It was never worth the price the next day. "What's everyone doing for Thanksgiving?" I asked, changing the subject.

"We're going to your house, right?" Erik said, making Sam laugh at him.

"God no," I said. We were still recovering from last year's Christmas party and getting ready for this one. I loved getting together with everyone, but we needed a little break between holidays.

"Andy, there's something I've been meaning to ask you," Link said. I turned on the stool to face him expecting him to ask if it was okay for everyone to come over, because Link loved having everyone over. But he wasn't on the stool, he was kneeling next to it and in his hand was the ring he'd given me when we first spent Christmas together. "I know you've already said yes, and you have no clue how hard it was to get this ring back without you knowing it."

"I wear it all the time," I whispered. I'd misplaced it yesterday and knew it had to be either in the bathroom or the kitchen. But I'd been distracted and hadn't taken the time to look. Now, here it was.

"I know, and I love it, but I needed it for one little thing."

"What's that?"

"Would you do me the honor of marrying me this Saturday?"

"I'll marry you anytime and anywhere, you know that." I grinned at him and tried not to get too emotional in front of everyone.

"Yeah, but I want to do it now. Erik and Sam beat us to it and now I'm a little jealous every time they mention their husband. I want you to be my husband and me to be yours. Remember, Andy, I've always loved you, and I always will, now please, can we get hitched?" He smiled at his own words and held out the ring.

I put out my hand for him to slide it on my finger. His eyes stayed on mine as he kissed the ring once it was in place. "Anytime, anyplace. I love you. Just tell me when and where."

"Well, I wasn't kidding when I said Saturday. It's all set." My eyes widened at his words before I pulled him into my arms.

"Just tell me where to be," I whispered.