He couldn’t bash tonight’s rehearsal dinner at Carl’s country club. The food had been good, the wine decent. Everyone had been polite, pleasant even. But the whole time, Beck had felt eyes on him. The glances had lingered a beat too long, constant silent questions that grated on his nerves. Who is this guy? Why is he here?
He’d kept his answers vague when anyone asked. Smiled. Made small talk. Played the part of Seth’s friend from LA who just happened to be here on business.
Lies. All lies.
The whole thing had left him on edge, second-guessing every word, every gesture. Had he stood too close to Heavenly at any point tonight? Had his gaze lingered on her a fraction too long? Did the fact that he was desperate to touch her show on his face? In his eyes?
The constant vigilance was exhausting.
And don’t even get him started on Seth’s weird mood.
Thirty-six more hours. He could handle thirty-six more hours before he and Heavenly flew Hudson back to LA. Then he could take a breath. Then he could touch Heavenly without blowing up Seth’s world.
As Beck followed Carl and Seth, who held Heavenly’s hand, to the front door, she turned. Their eyes caught before her stare slid away quickly. Still, Beck saw the strain on her face. She held herself a little too carefully.
Yeah, she was tired of pretending, too.
Grace bustled past him, Hudson in tow, and unlocked the door. Warmth spilled out onto the traditional portico, already decorated for fall. Inside, the family room glowed with soft lamplight.
In the foyer, Heavenly shrugged out of her coat, and Beck clenched his fists. Under normal circumstances, he’d help her. Slide the fabric off her shoulders, let his lips brush her nape, maybe lean in to whisper something inappropriate.
But Grace was right there, hanging her own coat in the closet, chattering about whether she’d remembered to pack the emergency sewing kit. So Beck just stood back, keeping a careful two feet of distance between himself and the woman he loved. And hated every second of it.
Carl stepped up beside Grace, resting a hand on the small of her back. “Sweetheart, you’ve checked that list three times today. I promise you, it’s in the trunk.”
“I know, I know.” Grace laughed with breathless excitement. “I just keep thinking I’ve forgotten something.”
“You haven’t,” Carl assured in the kind of low, steady voice that could talk someone down from a ledge. “Come sit before you fall down.”
They moved into the family room. Seth guided Heavenly to the sofa, settling beside her with the ease of someone who had every right to be there. Beck took the armchair across from them—as close as he dared, but far enough to appear respectful, removed.
Keeping appearances was grating on his goddamn nerves.
Grace perched on the edge of the loveseat, still buzzing. “I can’t believe the wedding is tomorrow. After all the planning?—”
“All your planning,” Carl corrected, easing down beside her. “I just showed up when you told me to.”
“That’s not true.” But she smiled, some of her manic energy softening into something warmer. “You helped.”
“By nodding and agreeing with everything you said. That’s helping, right?”
Seth chuckled. “Yep, and I’m sure Mom appreciates it.”
“I do, and by the sounds of it you’ll make a ‘helpful’ groom, too.” Grace laughed before she settled her gaze on Heavenly with growing affection. “You’re going to be such a beautiful bride.”
She would, but the fact that Beck couldn’t agree without raising brows made him grit his teeth. He was going to be her groom, too. He wanted to shout that from the rooftops.
He couldn’t even whisper it.
Heavenly’s smile settled somewhere between genuine and awkward. “Thank you. But tomorrow is your day, and everything you’ve planned is gorgeous.”
Grace waved her way, but her expression said she was flattered. “I just hope it all comes together.”
“It will,” Carl insisted. “If we’ve forgotten something, we’ll tackle it tomorrow. Tonight, you relax, enjoy the company—and your last night of being a single woman.”
Grace laughed again. “I can’t help it. I’m excited. And nervous.”
“We know.” Seth’s voice was warm, affectionate. “But you got this. You always do.”
