Four Grooms and a Queen by John Simpson Read Free Book Online Page B

gulp.
    “Damn that was good.”
    “It should have been. That one glass of orange juice was three-fifty!”
    “Oh, who cares? We’re about to be married and go on our honeymoon. No sense in worrying what orange juice in the hotel costs,” Pat replied.
    “Actually, I was joking, but you’re not awake enough yet to realize that. Take a sip of coffee and hit the shower. I’ll reheat your coffee in the microwave when you get out.”
    Pat remembered the envelope that the sergeant had given him. He retrieved it and sat back down.
    “What’s that?” Dean asked.
    “I’m about to find out.”
    He tore open the envelope and found a wedding card inside containing a one hundred dollar bill. Pat was as shocked as Hank would be when he opened his envelope.
    “Wow, I can’t believe the sarge did this. This is way above what he had to do,” Pat said.
    “Didn’t you once say you thought he might be gay?”
    “Yeah. We thought he might be after the way he handled the blackmail case that Hank and I had to put up with. This is really a cool thing for him to do.”
    Pat smiled as he headed for the shower. When he got out, he found Dean standing holding a towel to dry him off with. “Thank you, honey,” Pat said feeling like a new man after the shower.
    “You look nice standing there all wet and naked, “ Dean said with a smile.
    Pat smiled back. “Are you trying to tell me something or do you want me to get dressed?”
    “What I want at the moment and what we have time for are two different things. Go get dressed,” Dean said with a sigh.
    When Pat walked into the bedroom, he found his tuxedo laid out on the bed, and his coffee on the nightstand. Pat had already shaved and brushed his teeth so there was no reason not to get dressed right away. Pat also noticed that Dean had packed everything even though they had one more night to spend in Boston.
    As they got dressed, Hank and Shawn were only moments behind them in preparations. Hank’s shower had the same effect on him that Pat’s did. Both men were now raring to go.
    Dean answered the knock on their door to find two very handsome young men in black tuxedos. Dean whistled and waved them into the suite. Pat came out of the bedroom with his jacket over his left arm and added his own looks of approval.
    “Damn, you two look finer than a hooker at a Vegas bar!” Pat said with a giant smile.
    “Why, thank you; coming from you, that’s quite a compliment,” said Hank in return.
    Shawn said nothing but just smiled that confident smile that said he knew he looked hot.
    “Well, it’s time to head to the church. Are we all ready?” Dean asked.
    Pat put on his jacket, took a look in the mirror and said, “Damn, but I’m good looking!”
    After the laughter ended, Dean grabbed the room key and they went to the car. When they exited the elevator and walked through the lobby, people stopped and admired the four handsome young men in tuxedos gliding through. Even the front desk staff looked up from their work to admire the young men most likely on their way to a wedding.
    They climbed into the rental car and left for City Hall to get the licenses and then to the church—a ten minute ride from the hotel. They parked in the “Pastors Reserved Parking” space and entered two minutes early.
    They found Father Mark waiting at the altar and greeted him warmly. They also noticed several men sitting in the pews by the altar.
    “Did you remember to get the licenses?” Father Mark asked.
    “Of course,” Pat said as he handed both licenses to Father Mark. The priest would sign them and drop them off at City Hall after Christmas.
    “If you’re ready, then let us begin. These gentlemen are friends of mine and will stand as your witnesses.”
    “We’re used to different kinds of witnesses,” Hank cracked with a hint of nervousness in his voice.
    Pat smiled and agreed. All four men took their places before the priest.
    “Pat and Dean, is it both of your wills to come before