Hidden Passions (Hidden, #7)(15)

Tony knew exactly how tall Evina's beta was. He also knew how many days it had been since he'd overoptimistically called him. Rather than share either fact with Nate, he tugged at his snug collar. "This penguin suit isn't very comfortable. Are you sure that demon tailor did what you told him to?"

"Idiot." Nate smacked his hands away from the shirt. "It's impeccably fitted. And you look great in it. Why are you so squirmy?"

"Why are you so calm? You're about to get leg-shackled."

"Sheesh." Nate slapped his chest lightly. "Just wait till you fall in love."

"Don't want to," Tony grumped. Him shoving the never-called burner phone in the very back of his closet was proof of it.

Nate didn't listen to his claim. Nate smiled beatifically. "You'll fall in love," he predicted. "And I'll tease you mercilessly."

Tony didn't doubt that part. His scowl deepened until he realized he wasn't being a good friend. "I am happy for you," he said.

Nate broke into a laugh.

"I am. Evina is terrific."

Nate's expression turned sappy. "She is, isn't she?"

Oh Lord, Tony thought. Look how the mighty skirt-chaser has fallen.

Nate's face changed without warning. He looked like he wanted to ask something important.

"I have the rings," Tony said, hoping to head him off.

"I didn't doubt it for a minute--though that's good. I was going to say, I went through the Civil Code."

The Civil Code was ten volumes in tiny print--basically a bunch of legal crap devised by the ever-so-superior fae on the Founders Board to keep lesser supes in line. The fae had created Resurrection. Letting anyone forget that wasn't part of their master plan.

"You've lost me," Tony said.

Nate looked awkward. "There's nothing in it to prevent gay people from marrying."

Now Tony was amused. "You couldn't give me time to find a boyfriend before you have me exchanging vows?"

"Oh shut up," Nate huffed. "I thought you'd want to know."

Tony hadn't been concerned, but the fact that Nate had was kind of sweet. The fact that he'd searched the whole ten volumes was impressive. "If only you were gay," he joked. "Think how easy my life would be."

Nate frowned. "It'd never work. You're too big of a slob."

Evina and her cubs were kind of messy, but Tony didn't mention that. When the right person came along, people forgave all sorts of flaws.


"I'm taller than you," he said. "That's why I hunch when you're next to me."

Nate looked at him like he was crazy.

"You told me to stop hunching, but you're dominant to me. My wolf thinks we should be lower down."

"Jesus," Nate said. "Really?"

"Really. You're a sucky subordinate, so you don't think that way, but I'm pretty good at being submissive."

"Shit," Nate said. This of all things seemed to upset him. "I don't want you to think that way around me."

"You don't?"

"I absolutely don't. You're my friend. You be as tall as you damn well please."

His voice was gruff. Tony dropped his gaze to his shiny black shoes and smiled. "Now I really want to marry you," he teased.

~

Chris had never seen his old friend this rattled.

"I shouldn't have worn this," Evina moaned, frowning at herself in the triple mirror in the bride's dressing room.

This was a breathtaking orange and gold sari with a sky-blue fitted top beneath. A coordinating gold-bordered veil covered her long black curls. His alpha had the coloring and the curves to carry off the outfit. She saw something different, apparently. She plucked at the shimmery silk that flowed down her legs like water.

"I look like I'm costumed for Halloween. I've never been to India. Why did I think these clothes were a good idea?"

"Maybe because you're beautiful in them."

Evina twisted around to glower at her back view. "This skirt makes my butt look fat."

Chris snorted.

"Sorry," she said, instantly repentant. "I'm being a girl, aren't I? Please don't tell the others I lost it."

The others were in the outer room. Evina's hot-as-curry eighty-something mother had yanked them there so Chris and her daughter could have a pre-wedding talk. As best man, it was his job to confirm her mental state. His job as beta was pretty much the same. Whether male or female, on the rare occasions tiger alphas married, their seconds ensured they made it safely to the altar . . . and that they wanted to.

"You are a girl," he pointed out, amused by her uncharacteristic insecurity. "Your butt looks exactly how it's supposed to--not that Nate would mind if you prowled down the aisle naked."

"He'd probably like that," Evina admitted.

She was still making faces at her reflection. Chris put his hands on her shoulders. His head topped hers in the mirror. For just a second, he felt like her big brother. He suspected she sometimes thought of him that way.

That was going to change. Nate would be her closest male family now. Chris gave her a squeeze he hoped didn't betray his own regrets.

"What matters is remembering you're marrying the man you love. Nate is a standup male. He's lucky to have you, but you're lucky to have him too."