“Anything.”
“I’m recording ‘Happy Merry Christmas,’and I was wondering if you’d play on the track?”
Bert lit up. “I’d be honored.”
Later, Tyler and Cary wandered the exhibit, their footsteps echoing softly across the stone floor. The white walls held snapshots of his life—action shots, portraits, and her favorite: the unguarded moments that captured the man she loved.
“Why do they have red dots?” she asked. “Are you selling them?”
He nodded. “Donating the proceeds to Bert’s charity.” He squeezed her hand. “I still want to take your picture.”
“Not now.” She rubbed her still-flat stomach. “I’m going to balloon. Look at Dylan.”
“Especially now that you’re pregnant.”
“It might be cool for him to see later.” She grabbed another box of truffle popcorn as it passed. Thank god her pregnancy hadn’t ruined truffle oil—yet.
They continued through the exhibit as Cary explained the stories behind each photo—stories too layered for a title card. The past twenty years had been captured by some of the best photographers in the world, and Cary’s own shots held up just as beautifully.
“What’s this?” he asked, stopping at the back corner.
“I don’t know.” She followed his gaze.
It was a framed replica of his Junior hockey card.
His eyes narrowed. “Was this you?”
“Who’s been keeping secrets now?” She squeezed his arm, trying not to laugh.
“Ow,” he joked. “Sorry, babe, but it’s so cute when you explain the rules.”
“I’ll give you cute.”
“Wait.” He blinked. “How long have you known?”
“Quite a while.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I was waiting for the right moment.” She gestured to the card. “When this opportunity came up, I couldn’t resist.”
“How did youeven—?”
She waved at his mother across the room. “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
Thanks, Pamela.
CHAPTER 48
CARY
Later that evening, Cary lifted a glass of red wine from the high-top table. “Can you believe I’m going to be a dad?” he asked, eyes wide as he turned to Vegas, who was nursing a beer.
“Congrats, man.” Vegas clinked his glass. “You nervous?”
“Hell yeah. I’ve never held a baby, let alone changed a diaper.”
Vegas chuckled. “Pretty sure you can afford a nanny.”
