“Here we go,” Lior interjected. “I apologize in advance, and if you want me to tie him up somewhere for a while so he can’t get into trouble, I’m sure it could be arranged.”
“Ooh, kinky, but, babe, not in front of my family. They already know far too much about our sex life.”
Lior closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Seeing them together made so much sense. The older, more controlled man was perfect to balance out Noah’s wild side.
“As I was saying,” Noah continued, “I know a guy who, for a small fee, will do a bunch of stuff. Nothing illegal. You still have your apartment key, right, Adam?”
Adam nodded.
“So the guy goes in and replaces all the shampoo in the bottles for soap with glitter. He hides all the left shoes, apart from any smelly, dirty sneakers. He replaces the cutlery with spoons and can check your TV and delete all the shows you have saved. If you want to be reeeally petty, you can sign Victoria up for all kinds of magazine and email subscriptions and list her phone number on Craig’s List as an advice columnist for weird body problems.”
“Hmm, I’ve got to admit those are not bad ideas,” Emery said.
I watched as Adam remained quiet, almost detached, a storm brewing behind his blue eyes.
“Just say the word, little brother, and I’ll get on it,” Noah said.
Lior pulled Noah close. “I worry about you sometimes.”
“It’s okay, baby. I know you’d never do anything to trigger my enthusiasm for the road less traveled.”
“Noah, I went away on a work trip and came home to a dog.”
Noah grinned. “Yeah, but that was cute Noah.”
“There’s nothing to handle,” Adam said suddenly, his voice surprisingly steady. “The wedding’s off. Victoria made her choice, although it would have been much less embarrassing if she’d done it before this morning. No point in agonizing over it. I need a break from this so I’m going to go on my honeymoon, since I paid for it and all. When I’m back, I’ll deal with the rest.”
A hush fell over the room. My breath caught, surprised by Adam’s declaration.
His mother stepped forward, brow furrowed with worry. “Sweetheart, are you sure that’s a good idea? After everything that’s happened…”
Adam’s gaze met mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of the determination I knew so well. “I’m sure, Mom. I won’t let Victoria take this from me too.”
I found myself nodding, a surge of pride and affection washing over me. This was the Adam I knew—resilient, stubborn, refusing to be beaten down.
“But you shouldn’t go alone,” Lex chimed in, concern etched on his face.
Adam’s lips quirked in a small smile, the first I’d seen since the wedding disaster. “Who says I have to?”
His eyes locked with mine again, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through me. What was he thinking? And why did that look make my belly tighten?
Adam’s smile widened, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes. “You know what? River, Lex, Emery, Noah, Lior, you should all come with me.”
I blinked, caught off guard by his sudden shift in mood. The others seemed equally surprised, exchanging confused glances.
“Are you serious?” Noah asked, his eyebrows raised.
Adam shrugged, his demeanor unexpectedly light. “Why not? It’s already paid for. Might as well make it a family vacation, right?”
I couldn’t help but marvel over his resilience. Here he was, hours after being jilted, suggesting we all crash his honeymoon. It was so absurd, so utterly Adam, that I felt a burst of warmth in my chest.
“Hell yeah!” Noah exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face before he turned to his husband. “We’re in. What do you say, Mr. Van Spencer? Fancy another honeymoon?”
Lior laughed. “With you? Any time. Let me make a couple of phone calls.” Giving his husband a kiss on his temple, Lior pulled out his phone and walked to the balcony.
As the others began to chatter excitedly, I caught Adam’s eye. He watched me, his expression a mix of hope and something I couldn’t quite place. My heart stuttered, and I found myself wondering what it would be like to spend a week with him in paradise.
“What do you think, River?” he asked softly, his voice barely audible over the commotion. “You in?”
