“And?”
“Logically, I know you’re right. They’re still the same kind, funny, protective boys I raised.” She rubbed her forehead. “It’s just…their desires go against everything I was taught about relationships, about what’s right.”
“What if you stopped focusing on their sex life and just considered who they are as people? On the fact they’re your sons?”
His mom blinked. “I’m sure I should, but…how?”
“Easy. When you talk to them or spend time with them, just be their mother. Their romantic choices aren’t the sum of who they are, just like Carl’s job doesn’t define who he is.”
“I know you’re right.”
But that didn’t mean she wasn’t struggling.
“Why do you need to understand Jack and Connor’s sex life to love them?”
“I don’t, but?—”
“There’s no buts. You need to love them for who they are, not who you want them to be.”
She stared into her coffee cup for a long moment. When she looked up, her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “When did you get so wise?”
Seth’s chest tightened. If she only knew… “You raised us to think for ourselves, and sometimes those choices are going to be different from what you’d pick.”
“You’re right. I just…” His mom glanced around the table, making sure the others were still absorbed in their own conversation. “What about marriage? Children? How will that work with their…arrangement?”
“That’s for them to figure out, Mom. Right now, you only need to focus on you, your wedding, and being happy. One day at a time.”
“You’re right again.” She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for listening. I know it’s not easy, having your mother struggle with your brothers’ choices.”
Seth squeezed back, hoping desperately that she’d remember this conversation when the time for his own admission came. “I love you, Mom. Just like I love Jack and Connor. I want this family to stay together. Whatever it takes. How about we talk again after the wedding?”
“Could we?” She actually looked hopeful.
“Let’s plan on it.” He kissed her cheek, hoping the breakthrough they all needed was just around the corner.
The waitress appeared with their food, breaking the moment. As plates of eggs, bacon, and toast were distributed around the table, the conversation shifted to lighter topics—picking up tuxedos, last-minute details for the rehearsal dinner, seating arrangements that would keep certain relatives from killing each other.
Seth half listened to the chatter about flowers and photographers, his mind churning.
“So what’s the plan for today?” Carl asked as they finished eating.
“Beck needs to get back to the city for his conference presentation,” Seth supplied. “Heavenly will go with him to take some photos of him in action for hospital administrators and social media. While they’re busy, I’m meeting Tony for a beer so we can catch up. Then we’re hoping to take in a show tonight. But we’ll see you for breakfast tomorrow?”
“Perfect.” His mom smiled.
As they gathered their things and headed for the door, Seth’s phone buzzed with a text from their Uber driver. “Our ride’s here.”
His mom hugged each of them goodbye, smiling and holding on to Heavenly for a few extra moments. “I’m so glad you’re here, sweetheart. This weekend means the world to me.”
Seth caught his mother’s eye over Heavenly’s head, seeing the love and acceptance there. The irony cut deep. Mom had embraced Heavenly completely as Seth’s fiancée. If she knew Heavenly belonged to Beck every bit as much, what would she say?
At ten past two, Seth stepped into the hotel’s swanky bar, striding across the marble floor. As he searched for Tony Marconi’s familiar face, he took in the refined elegance around him that screamed old New York money. Rich crown moldings and pale walls gleamed under soft lighting. Crystal decanters lined mirrored shelves behind an ornate bar. Leather banquettes in deep emerald green provided intimate seating, whispering of discreet conversations and billion-dollar deals.
Since Seth didn’t see his former partner yet, he settled into a corner booth with his back to the wall. Here, he could watch the entrance—a must since being back in the city tended to make him edgy, like he had eyes on him.
When a server stopped to welcome him, he ordered a beer and settled back to wait, studying the faces around him.
As soon as his beer arrived, he lifted the bottle to his lips. His cell phone chimed with a message, so he swallowed, tapped the screen, and read the text from the Realtor his mother had recommended. She could meet him at his former house at four-thirty. Good.
