“Ha,” said Sam, running his hands through his hair to smooth it out. “This is pretty much simple risk management. The company hired Henry and me to make sure their staff isn’t stealing from them since they’ve had some unexplained losses.” He slid his wallet and keys in his pocket and after one last check, kissed Zach. “What’re you up to today? We’re meeting with the caterer around one p.m., right?”
“Yeah. First I’m touching base with the rabbi. Then I have some work to do on the dating site for the software company.”
“Sounds like a plan.” They headed into the tiny kitchen, and Zach stepped aside so Sam could open the refrigerator. Zach wondered if they should stay in Sam’s apartment after they were married or if they should buy their own place together. With Sam still renting, it seemed to Zach like a waste of money every month when they could own a house and start their future together. Another thing to add to his list.
“I spoke to my mother. She and Matt are going to dinner and a show tonight, then she has a date with another guy for lunch tomorrow. And she’s thinking of going away on a weekend with Matt.”
Sam grabbed a bagel. “You say it as though you don’t like Matt.”
Morose, Zach picked at the seeds of his everything bagel. “I don’t understand; all these years no one and thenbam!—she’s got more dates than a high school cheerleader.”
He looked to Sam for guidance, but as Zach knew he would, Sam refused to get involved.
“Your mother is a young, lovely woman. It’s natural she’d attract men. And, most importantly, it’s her life. You don’t want her interfering in yours, so you need to let her take these steps.”
“But what if they hurt her?” Zach poured Sam’s coffee into a stainless-steel travel mug and added the low-fat milk, leaving out the sugar. He could see Sam scowl at him out of the corner of his eye, but he didn’t care. Sam was way too fond of his sweets.
“Leave it alone.” The warning tone was more evident now in Sam’s voice. “She’s a grown woman and can take care of herself. I gotta go; I’ll meet you at the caterer’s.”
Sam took his coffee and bagel and left, after giving Zach a kiss goodbye. Noticing the time inching toward ten, Zach didn’t want to let the day get away from him, and made the call to the rabbi.
“Good morning, Temple Sinai, may I help you?”
“Uh, hi. This is Zach Cohen. I was wondering if Rabbi Fine is available.” While he spoke, Zach poured himself a cup of coffee.
“Certainly, Mr. Cohen. Hold on, please.”
Zach sipped the hot coffee and walked into the living room to sit on the sofa. He was debating whether to get new furniture if they decided not to move after all, when he heard Rabbi Jonah Fine’s voice in his ear.
“Zach, how are you? Getting ready for the big day? Only a month to go.”
Initially Zach hadn’t cared about any of this; he’d hoped to maybe run off somewhere—elope. But his mother had expressed such disappointment at not seeing him get married that he allowed her to find them a rabbi to marry them. Then, when Julian offered the beach house he and Nick had bought in the fall, he couldn’t say no. Not when he planned on buying a house not far from them for Sam as a wedding present.
“Yes. I’m ready, and so is Sam.”
The rabbi chuckled. “I’m sure you are. And very romantic to do it on Valentine’s Day. You’ll never forget your anniversary.”
“That’s true. You know that the ceremony is at my friend’s house in Quogue, right? Even though it’s going to be cold, Sam and I love the beach, and since we met there…” Zach paused as memories of their first meeting surged through him. It still amazed him that from that single weekend, he’d found the rest of his life. “We wanted our wedding to be reflective of our first time together.”
“That’s lovely. And very sentimental. I’m sure it will be beautiful. Have you spoken with Gideon about the catering?”
“Not yet; Sam and I are meeting with him this afternoon. I want to shore up all the details for the food now so I can cross it off my list, which seems to be never-ending these days.” Zach had his tablet out and pulled up his list of hors d’oeuvres, salads, and main courses he’d seen on The Garden of Eat-In’s website. For the desserts, Mrs. Caruso insisted she was bringing her pastries, especially the cannoli Sam loved so much. He explained to Jonah the connection they had with Mrs. Caruso.
“She’s a sweet lady and in a way, has had as much of a hand in getting us together as my friends did.”
“Is she going to get mad at Gideon if he also makes a cake for you two?”
Jonah, as he insisted Zach and Sam call him, must have thought him and Sam silly for inviting the elderly bakery lady to their wedding, but his voice was laced with humor and curiosity, not condemnation. He sounded like the least judgmental religious person Zach had ever met.
“She’ll bluster, but Sam knows how to coax her out of any bad mood. Besides, she’s almost as excited for us to get married as we are. She’s never been to a Jewish or gay wedding and has been telling all the people in the neighborhood.”
The last time he’d stopped at the bakery to pick up their bread and cookies, Zach found her in mid-lecture to one of the elderly men who liked to hang out in the store. It seemed he didn’t approve of gay marriage, and Mrs. Caruso was informing him of the error of his ways. Loudly. Zach almost felt sorry for the guy.
“That’s good. The last thing Gideon wants is to step on someone’s toes.”
“I’m so glad you recommended Gideon; I’m sure his food is delicious, and I can’t wait to see what he’s going to serve. If it were up to Sam, he’d probably be satisfied with beer and pizza, but I wanted something more special than a glorified tailgate party.”
The two of them shared a laugh. “I understand, and I’d be a pretty poor boyfriend if I didn’t recommend Gideon’s food to you. But I’m biased. I’m sure you’ll love it after you taste it as well.” Zach could hear Jonah shuffling papers. “I have all your information here. We’ll sign theketubahright before the actual ceremony, so both of you will need to think about witnesses.”
