Page 74 of Ancient Obsession

“Hey, let’s go see what’s down here.” Demetrius took Cody by the hand.

“What? I’m asking important questions. People might be allergic.”

“Come on, big guy. If you’re good, I’ll let you pollinate my stamen.”

Once Demetrius had led Cody out of sight, Chris smirked and shook his head. “We’ve caught so many couples having sex in here.”

“We can get fifty people in here?” Dave sounded cautiously hopeful.

“Oh, sure. Absolutely.”

“What about access points? Entry available only from within the hall?”

“There’s an emergency exit in the back wall. Going through it triggers an alarm. There are doors on either side, but the plants have kind of taken over each one, and we don’t use them anymore. ”

“And who would be responsible for setup and breakdown?” Dave asked.

“We do that. It’s part of the rental fee.” Chris’s brow furrowed. “Did your other venue fall through because you’re a same gender couple?”

“No,” Oliver said. “They were very open. Their sewer line collapsed, and the place flooded.”

Dave turned to Oliver. “What do you think?”

Chris smiled. “I’ll give you two a few minutes to talk.” He walked off, a pair of pruners in hand.

Oliver moved to the long edge of the patio in front of massive blooms in a range of colors. “This would be the perfect spot for us to exchange our vows.”

Dave stood across from him and reached out. Oliver took his hands and they smiled.

“You don’t think it will be too dangerous?” Dave asked.

“No more so than calling Roman to tell him the wedding’s postponed.”

That earned him a tired smirk.

“Here’s what I know.” Oliver squeezed Dave’s hands. “We’ve been planning and anticipating being married for a long time. I want to stand up in front of our family and friends and let everyone hear the strength of what we feel together. I really want to be married to you. And I want it to happen on the date we’ve planned it.”

Crinkles formed at the corners of Dave’s eyes as his smile widened. “I want that, too.”

“Then let’s book this place, right now.”

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely. Let’s split it between our credit cards.”

Dave’s scowl was adorable. “We don’t have to do that. I can put it on mine.”

“Has Gina sent back the deposit yet?”

“No, but it should arrive in the next couple of days.”

Oliver grinned. “This place is less expensive.”

“Now you’re working my frugal side?”

“I know what gets you going.” Oliver waggled his eyebrows.

“You absolutely do.” Dave held him close a moment. “All right, I’ll track down Chris. You go find Cody and Demetrius.”