Grace’s expression fell. “Oh. I was really hoping… But I suppose I can wait until the wedding.”
Seth’s stomach clenched as he pictured trying to navigate that minefield. How was he supposed to sit beside Heavenly while Beck was seated in another pew and at another table, pretending to be nothing more than a friend who happened to be in town for a few days? How would the surgeon manage to keep his hands—or his stare—off Heavenly? Asking him to felt unfair. And he already knew it pissed Beck off.
“Speaking of the wedding,” he said, desperate to steer the conversation toward safer territory, “how are the plans coming along?”
Grace’s demeanor brightened. “Wonderfully! Father Heasley will marry us in the Church.”
Of course. The one place where he couldn’t marry Heavenly since Beck would be beside him. The Church would never recognize their union. Would his mother?
“Where’s the reception?”
“A garden pavilion overlooking the Hudson. It’s perfect. The event will be fairly intimate, just immediate family and close friends. About forty people total.”
“I’m so happy for you. You love him?”
“So much.” Her smile turned wistful. “I never dated because I never met anyone who made me feel the way your father did…until Carl. Now, I can’t imagine life without him. His kids are thrilled he’s happy again, years after losing his wife to breast cancer. I haven’t met them yet, but they’re both coming to the wedding. His son is a couple of years younger than you. He’s currently living in Tokyo. His daughter was an oops baby. She just turned nineteen, and she’s going to Notre Dame.”
So she was a good Catholic girl. Figured...
“And while you’re here, I was hoping you could get fitted for your tux. I know your general sizes, but I want everything to be perfect. You’re still planning to walk me down the aisle, aren’t you?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Thank you.” She squeezed his hand and sent him another misty smile. “I need to finalize seating arrangements. I’m putting Heavenly beside you.”
“Perfect.” Seth’s belly clenched with nerves, but his mom had given him the perfect opening. “Do you have room for one more? My friend Beck will be in the city that week on business. Rather than leaving him alone in his hotel room, I’d hoped you wouldn’t mind if I invited him. I’d love to introduce him to everyone.”
She frowned. “Hammer’s friend? Wasn’t he pursuing Heavenly, too?”
Shit. He’d forgotten he’d told his mother about Beck when they’d been fighting over their girl. “It was a misunderstanding. We’re good now. In fact, he’s one of my best friends.”
“Then of course he’s invited. Would you like him to sit with you and Heavenly?”
“That would be great.” Seth couldn’t miss the irony. His mother wanted to honor Beck by seating him with family, not realizing that he actually was family in every way that mattered. “I appreciate it. When he said he was scheduled to speak at a medical conference in the city the same week as your wedding, inviting him just made sense.”
“Oh, he’s a doctor?”
“Yeah. A vascular surgeon. Pretty renowned.”
“Is he single?” Grace perked up even more. “If he is…Mary Hagaman’s daughter, Celeste, isn’t married.”
That didn’t surprise Seth. Celeste had always been bat-shit crazy. And his mom trying to hook up his future co-husband to Heavenly with another woman was priceless.
“Mom, they live on opposite coasts. And Beck is far too busy for a serious relationship.”
“You never know…”
“Actually, I do. We’ve talked. He’s not looking.”
“Well, Heavenly is all yours. That’s what’s important.” His mother beamed. “So…any plans to make her more than your girlfriend? Do I hear wedding bells in your future?”
Seth’s chest tightened. He had to be careful. “Proposing to her has crossed my mind.”
Grace’s eyes widened, then filled with happy tears. “Really? You’re ready to get married again?”
“Maybe.” What else could he say since Heavenly was already wearing an engagement ring? He fucking hated having to lie to his mother, but it was temporary. “She’s everything I never thought I’d find. She’s nothing like Autumn.”
That would be a relief to his mother, who had never truly liked his wife.
