Listed at the bottom of the note was a location and time.
Marek crumpled the paper and brought it to his mouth, his eyes falling closed as he fought a wave of longing strong enough to pull him under. His pulse raced, pumping so fast Marek opened his eyes and could see the beat under the skin on his wrist. Christ, he didn't know what the hell to do anymore. Go to the wedding, essentially declaring to Colin he wanted to be with the man, and in the process open himself up to a potential shitstorm of pain. Or stay home, reject Colin openly, and hurt him in front of his friends. Also probably run him off for good. Marek's chest squeezed just thinking about never seeing Colin again.
If I could have just a day with Payton back, living openly, I would snatch it in a heartbeat. Today, if Payton were around haunting this place, Marek knew the man would materialize and smack him for missing a wedding and a chance to get to know a new person better.
Yet more proof that Payton had no part in Colin's dreams.
Remembering his promise to Payton, Marek stood and went into his bathroom. Beyond his vow to his former partner, and the happiness he knew Payton would want for him, Marek had missed Colin today while hiding up in the mountain.
Looking at the mess staring back at him in the mirror, and getting a whiff of the stink clinging to his body, Marek chuckled and turned on the shower.
He had some work to do.
* * * * *
Tag jumped to Colin's side as soon as Colin entered the bedroom. “Is she freaking out yet?” he asked. “Tell me she hasn't bolted for Australia.”
Laughing, Colin strode across the bedroom and straightened Tag's tie. “Jordan is still here. Getting nervous as hell, though. You're right about that.”
“I knew she would.” Tag spun away and walked to the sliding glass door, and Colin joined him. They looked down on the beach where Tag would soon say his vows. Torches were lit, already blazing for when the sun would set, and orchids littered the beach. No chairs; the witnesses would stand during the brief exchange of vows.
The small number of guests already mingled, most of them members of Tag's family. An older gentleman looked up and waved. Tag waved back and wiped his hand on his suit pants.
“Are you nervous?” Colin asked.
Tag shook his head, his focus still on the scene below. “Not for myself. I've wanted to marry that woman since the day I met her. Shit, though. Jordan is all tough, but she's scared as hell of marriage.”
God, Colin envied Jordan the love and understanding Tag had for her. “You would be wary too if you had the family she grew up in.” He slid Tag a sidelong glance. “Just don't give her any reason to regret taking this chance with you.”
“Never gonna have to worry about that.” Tag exhaled and started pacing the length of the bedroom. “As long as I can get her to the minister to say her vows.”
Colin followed Tag's track from his position at the sliding doors. “Jordan has three women in that room with her who aren't going to let her panic and run. She doesn't want to run anyway. She loves you; she's just frightened of the everyday stuff of being together that comes with a marriage.”
“Yeah, I know. I just have to remember it took her a while to settle into believing in me as a boyfriend, so it's probably going to take the same to get her to trust me as a husband. I'm prepared.” Tag finally stopped circling the room and looked up at Colin. “How about you? Do you see your guy down there yet?” Colin had shared details of his dreams, and the reality of them manifesting in Fiji, when talking to Jordan and Tag about inviting Marek to the wedding.
Looking down at the beach from the second-story window, Colin searched the small gathering. No Marek in sight. Deflating, he said, “No. I guess it was a long shot, at best. He doesn't know anyone, and from what I've picked up about him over the last few days, he seems a very private man.” Colin tried to smile in the face of defeat, but his reflection in the window showed the hurt in his eyes.
“What will you do now?”
“Sleep on it. See what my gut tells me tomorrow.” Although, damn, Colin had been so certain Marek would show, despite the discomfort he might feel in a group of strangers.
Tag joined Colin at the door once again. “If you think these dreams mean something important, if this man is who you want, and you sense he wants the same, don't let his fear or yours hold you back. Look at me.” He lifted his arms and turned in a circle. “I'm in fucking paradise marrying the woman of my dreams.”
“Thanks, man.” Smacking Tag on his thick shoulder, Colin covered his swell of emotion with a lighthearted tease. “If you swung my way, I might fight just about anyone to get you for myself.”
“If I swung your way, you'd already have me on my back. Well”—Tag flashed a fast grin and arched a brow—“maybe the other way around.”
Colin rolled his eyes and laughed. “Right.” Heterosexual males, geez.
A knock sounded at the door right then. Tom let himself inside without waiting for a response. “All right, guys. The minister is here. I just talked to Alison, and she says Jordan is ready to make the walk. Let's go.”
“Finally,” Tag said. “Let's do this.” He threw his arm around Colin and hauled him to the door. He grabbed Tom too and
