For weeks, Seth had pondered listing the place “as is” so he’d never have to step foot inside again. After his panic attack a few weeks ago, he’d been reluctant to return. But if they were going to have a baby, they needed a new house—which meant getting top dollar for this one. He’d get a list of repairs from the agent that would maximize the sale price, grab whatever he couldn’t bring himself to throw away, then close that chapter of his life for good.
The plan was logical. That didn’t mean it wouldn’t be hell.
For now, he compartmentalized that chore and glanced at his watch. Beck and Heavenly would be in the ballroom by now, the surgeon launching his speech while their girl snapped pictures, determined to capture the moment like a proud fiancée.
“Hey. There you are, Cooper.”
Seth looked up to find Tony approaching. For a moment, the years fell away. His former partner looked more weathered around the edges—hell, he did, too—but the guy’s cocky grin was the same.
“Hey, Marconi.” Seth stood and gave him a back-slapping bro hug, then gestured for him to sit. “Glad you could make time today.”
“Me, too.” Tony sank onto the green leather bench, flagged down the server, and ordered a club soda. “It’s good to see you, man, especially since we didn’t get much time to talk last month. How’s life been?”
“Crazy.” Seth took another pull from his beer. “Since I saw you last, I found out I have another son…who’s sixteen.”
Tony’s eyes bulged. “No shit? God, you were a teenager.”
He nodded. “When I came home from New York last month, the kid was at my house with my girlfriend—well, fiancée now—waiting for me. Hudson—that’s his name—is now living with us. We’ve been getting to know each other.”
“Wait. What? Not only do you have a son, you proposed to your girlfriend? Congratulations, man! Obviously she said yes. What’s her name?”
Seth couldn’t help but smile as he whipped out his phone to show his pal a picture. “Heavenly. She’s a nursing student from Wisconsin. And she’s every bit as sweet as she sounds. Smart as hell, too. Works harder than anyone I know.”
He didn’t mention Beck. Besides Tony knowing some of the cops his mom still talked to, he was a practicing Catholic. Chances were high gossip could get passed on. Or Tony wouldn’t understand.
His former partner raised a brow. “Damn, she’s gorgeous. How did you meet a girl from Wisconsin in LA?”
“She moved out there for family.” Seth opted for the simple version. “And we met through mutual friends. She’s incredible. I never thought I’d find someone like her.”
Tony grinned. “You’re clearly in love.”
“Yep, I’m totally gone,” Seth admitted without embarrassment.
“When’s the big day?”
Seth shrugged, hedging. “We’re still deciding. There’s no rush, and she’s in her last year of nursing school.”
When the server set down Tony’s club soda, he thanked her before sending Seth a wry grin. “Your life sounds anything but boring.”
“You got that right. What about you and Megan? You still planning to make an honest woman of her come spring?”
Tony’s face lit up. “Yep. We found a venue, and she’s got a dress on order. We’re working on the rest. We found a house in Queens—nothing fancy, but it’s got a yard and good schools for when we have kids.”
“That’s great, man. I’m really happy for you.”
His former partner raised his glass. “Here’s to finding the right women and some happiness before life kills us.”
They clinked glasses, and Seth couldn’t help but wonder… “You ever think about leaving the force?”
“Every damn day.” Tony’s smile faded. “Especially lately.”
Seth leaned in and dropped his voice. “Last time I saw you, you mentioned that things at the precinct had gone south.”
Tony scanned the nearly empty bar, his shoulders tense as he checked for unfriendly ears. “Like I said after the nine-eleven memorial ceremony, things have changed, gotten more political. It feels…corrupt.”
“Fucking shame,” Seth murmured.
“And getting worse every day.”
