Beck leaned against the doorway between the kitchen and dining room, coffee mug in hand, watching the organized chaos unfold.
“Carl, could you grab that folding table from the garage?” Grace called from the kitchen, her voice bright. “The one against the back wall?”
“On it.” Carl set down his coffee mug and headed for the garage, side-stepping a cluster of Grace’s neighbors who were visiting in the kitchen.
Beck followed suit and trailed him, lifting one end of the table. “Figured you could use a hand.”
“Appreciate it.” Carl grabbed the other end.
Together, they navigated the narrow doorway back into the house and into the dining room. Despite the fact the formal table was groaning under platters of bagels, pastries, and fruit, Grace had apparently decided to set out more food.
“Where are we supposed to put this?” Beck asked.
Carl grimaced as they maneuvered around a pair of mismatched chairs someone had dragged in from god-knew-where. “By the window, I guess.”
Beck eyed the available floor space with a raised brow. “That won’t be tricky.”
Carl sighed. “She’s been planning this for weeks. I’ve learned not to question the vision.”
Beck bit back a grin. “Smart man.”
They set the table up, and Carl clapped him on the shoulder, the gesture both welcoming and accepting, before heading back toward the kitchen.
Beck rolled his shoulders and let his gaze sweep the room.
The house was already filling up—neighbors, church friends, a few people Beck vaguely remembered meeting at the reception last night. The air smelled like fresh coffee, cinnamon, and the flowers leftover from the wedding.
Grace moved through the space with ease, filled by warmth and the low hum of conversation. She was clearly in her element, stopping to hug arrivals and direct them toward the food.
Sunlight poured through the windows, catching on champagne flutes lined up for mimosas. It should’ve felt perfect—relaxed, warm, the morning after a wedding well done.
And it did. Mostly.
Except…
Beck’s gaze drifted across the room and snagged on Seth. His chest tightened.
Seth handed Hudson a stack of napkins, murmuring something that made the kid nod and head toward the dining room. On the surface, everything looked fine. Seth smiled when someone thanked him for moving a chair. He laughed when Carl made a joke about the mimosas being stronger than the coffee. He played the helpful son. Polite. Relaxed.
Beck couldn’t put his finger on why…but he wasn’t buying the act.
He glimpsed a tightness around Seth’s eyes he hadn’t seen yesterday. He seemed distracted. Guarded. Something that didn’t belong at a family brunch. He went through the motions with an empty smile in place.
But Beck swore Seth’s mind was somewhere else entirely.
Most people wouldn’t notice. A glance around the room confirmed that everyone else seemed oblivious. Beck wanted to believe he was overreacting…but he knew Seth too well to believe that.
“Coffee?”
Beck turned to find Heavenly at his elbow, holding the carafe and smiling up at him. She looked happy, almost giddy. And seemingly unaware of whatever storm was brewing inside Seth’s head.
“Yeah, thanks.” He held out his mug, watching as she poured. “You doing okay?”
She sent him a secretive smile. “Great. One of the best days ever, don’t you think?”
God, he ached to take her in his arms and kiss her.
Monday. After Seth finally told his mother the truth, they’d never have to pretend again.
