It seemed almost surreal yet somehow natural that tomorrow, his mom would clutch his elbow and fight back happy tears as he walked her down the aisle to pledge herself—before God, their combined families, and close friends—to this man she loved.
Openly.
Freely.
Without a whisper of fear, judgment, or condemnation.
Jealousy pricked Seth. But when he glanced at Heavenly and Beck, his envy cooled. Regardless of what anyone else thought, their love was equally deep and certain. And in time, they’d show the world.
That day couldn’t come soon enough.
It took roughly an hour to finish the final tux fitting and leave with their penguin suits in tow. As they strolled to the parking lot, Seth caught Heavenly gazing at Beck. It was just a glance, long enough for something soft and warm to pass between them before Heavenly lowered her chin and darted back inside the SUV.
Seth’s breath caught.
They were doing their best. But those looks—those small, stolen moments—were both hard to resist and impossible to misinterpret. A combination of anxiety and tenderness rushed him. Thankfully, his mother was too absorbed to notice.
But he was beyond ready to be honest about their feelings.
The end of this weekend couldn’t come fast enough.
“Oh, the traffic is horrible. The girls and I have mani-pedis at two, and we’re going to be late.” His mom scowled.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get there in time,” Carl vowed.
As promised, he pulled into the driveway as Danny, Maggie, and baby Anna arrived. Inside the house, his mom raced around, quickly placing the items needed for tonight’s rehearsal dinner on the dining room table before she, Heavenly, and Maggie rushed out for the salon, leaving baby Anna behind with the guys.
After they’d gone, Seth and Beck packed the items into a large duffel bag for tomorrow’s wedding and reception, with some help from Hudson. Carl supervised, checking each item off her list with methodical precision.
“Grace is incredibly organized.” Beck blinked as he tucked decorative sachets filled with bird seed into a smaller box.
“She’s always been like a female drill sergeant. Raising five boys, you have to be.” Seth chuckled as he wrapped the cake knife in bubble wrap. “Besides, she’s been planning this wedding for months. So yeah…she’s organized.”
While they finished securing the last few items, Carl excused himself, stepped into the kitchen, and pulled out his phone. As he confirmed delivery times with the caterer and florist, his voice carried a note of quiet pride.
Another pang of envy pierced Seth. This man got to express his love for the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with in the way he yearned to. Right now…Seth couldn’t. And he knew all the reasons why, but keeping their love on the down-low like his dirty little secret was really beginning to chafe.
Beck eased in beside Seth, his face full of concern. “You’re frowning. Everything all right?”
Seth paused with a shrug. “I just wish…”
“Me, too. It’s not easy.”
That gouged Seth with even more guilt. He could imagine the shoe being on the other foot—and having to act like the third wheel would hurt like hell. “Not much longer. I promise.”
“I know.” Beck nodded.
“How are you going to tell Grandma?” Hudson whispered.
Seth shot him a look. His son asked a valid question…he just didn’t have an answer. “Carefully.”
“Way to dodge the question.” Beck sent him a sober stare. “I know it won’t be easy. And you’ll be risking a lot.”
“Pretty much everything.” Seth let out a sigh. “But I have to. It’s…past time.”
Beck clapped him on the back. “We’re in this together.”
“Thanks.”
