“I have an announcement to make.” Seth swallowed hard, then forced a smile as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out the engagement ring and slipped it on Heavenly’s finger, letting the diamond catch the light. “I asked Heavenly to marry me…and she said yes. We’re engaged.”
After a split second of silence, his mother gasped. The rest of the room stood, exploding in a chorus of applause and congratulations in a typically loud Cooper family celebration.
Seth turned to Heavenly. Her smile looked as fake as his felt, but he kissed her, squeezing her shoulder in a silent promise. He’d make this up to both of them.
The tear sliding down Heavenly’s cheek threatened to gut Seth. He wiped it away as she risked a glance at Beck, who still sat in his chair, looking even more frozen.
Oblivious to the undercurrent, his mom looked beside herself with excitement. “I’m so happy for you two! Oh, my goodness. You said you were thinking about proposing, but…when did this happen?”
“A few weeks ago.” Seth wrapped an arm around Heavenly’s waist and let her hide her face in his chest.
He could feel her pain. Feel Beck’s. Guilt ripped through him. Maintaining this fucking facade was hell. The next four days were going to be long.
When could they cut this evening short and head to their hotel in the city?
“Have you chosen a wedding date?” his mom pressed.
“Not yet,” Heavenly said softly. “Everything’s up in the air with my school schedule, but I’ll graduate next May.”
“You’re smart to wait. School is important. Have you decided if you’re getting married in LA or here in New York?”
“Probably LA.” Seth saved her from answering. “I know you’d love us to do it here, but we got together out West. And hey, it’s a good excuse to get you all out to Cali.”
Mom turned to Heavenly with bright eyes. “Have you picked out a dress yet?”
“I haven’t even started looking. I haven’t done any planning at all,” Heavenly admitted. “It’s a little overwhelming.”
“Oh, I’d love to help you!” his mom offered eagerly. “I mean, if that wouldn’t be stepping on your toes.”
“I’ll help, too,” Maggie added, full of smiles, bouncing a gurgling Anna on her lap.
Heavenly looked teary. Everyone probably assumed his fiancée was overjoyed. But she felt tense against him, and he knew she hated every one of the lies coming out of their mouths.
“That’s lovely,” she murmured noncommittally. “Thank you.”
Plastic smile in place, Seth navigated the barrage of wedding talk, but his attention drifted back to Beck. He’d gone completely silent, mechanically sipping his coffee while ignoring his dessert.
The fucking guilt was eating Seth alive. What had seemed like a simple plan—a few white lies to get through the weekend—felt destructive, like he was slowly poisoning the people he planned to love, honor, and protect.
While the adults discussed wedding plans, the twins drew Hudson into a conversation about football and school. They were bonding too well. That made Seth nervous as fuck.
Finally, the torment of dessert was over. Everyone pitched in to clean up before meandering back to the family room. Maggie settled with baby Anna, feeding her a bottle before rocking her to sleep.
Seth watched Heavenly stare at the baby with a yearning that made his chest buckle. She hadn’t been half so animated talking about their wedding… Had his mom noticed?
With a smile, Maggie placed the sleepy girl in Heavenly’s arms. His mom caught the glow on her face and sent him a look with one directive: Get busy making me more grandbabies.
Seth tried to smile, but Heavenly’s expression both blinded and crushed him. There was no question that she ached to be a mother. It wasn’t merely a want; it was necessary for her soul.
Beck stared at her and the baby with such raw devotion… Jesus, if anyone else saw that expression…game over.
Worse, Seth felt like he was running in place, still scared shitless, no matter how hard he’d tried to embrace the future.
Finally, he cleared his throat sharply. Beck snapped his head around, quickly looking away, jaw clenching.
Seth’s chest burned. Fuck, they’d only been with his family for a handful of hours, and already this subterfuge was threatening to tear them up. How would they keep their feelings under wraps until Sunday afternoon?
Finally, Danny and Maggie left with the baby, and the twins headed out to a party. Matt wasn’t far behind, kissing his mom’s cheek as she hid her yawn behind her hand. Then he was out the door.
