He embraced Sophie. “Hello, sweet girl. I’m glad you’re here. I have something to ask you.” He rose and took her hand, leading her to the couch. “Sit with me.” He kept her hand in his as they sat, then he lifted it to his lips and kissed it.
“What do you need to ask me?”
“Well, it’s like this …”
When Trent enteredthe apartment over an hour later, the sound of raucous music and clattering dishes mingled with the smell of something delicious cooking on the stove. “Don’ttellme!” he spouted as he moved into the kitchen. “Did the CIA manage to spare you long enough to cook dinner?”
“They did. Empires may fall, and domestic terrorists may flourish, butweare celebrating with a glorious chicken parm and air fryer potatoes!” He indicated the frying pan and the golden-brown chicken sizzling within. “Created by world-renowned master chefs, Miss Sophie Hartwell and Mister Jefferson Kerry.” He moved to Trent’s side and embraced him. “Hi,” he whispered, then kissed his cheek. “Sorry about this morning.”
Trent glanced down as his daughter also embraced him. She was smiling. Nearly giggling. “All right. What have you two been up to? What’s goingonhere?” He wrapped an arm around each of them. “And exactlywhatare we celebrating?”
Sophie backed away, gazing up at Jeff. “Jeff has something to ask you,” she told Trent. “He’s been practicing ever since he got home.” She grinned up at her father and poked him with an elbow. “Yer’ gonna love it, dad.”
Trent spun to face Jeff. “What?”
Jeff took his hand and led him to the exact center of the living room. For a moment, he stood before Trent in silence, then he drew in a deep breath and shot a glance at Sophie, who stood close by. She nodded and gave him an encouraging thumbs-up. Jeff drew in a trembling breath, then dropped to one knee in front of her father.
“Sweet Jesus!” Trent gasped out. “Jeff, what thehellare you ...”
“Dad! Shut up for a second!”
Jeff stared up at him, still holding his hand. “I want to apologize for holding back. I want to apologize for letting my fear suggest to you that I didn’t want this. Because I do, Trent. I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything.” He drew Trent’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “Will both of you please marry me?”
For a moment, there was complete silence.
“Dad!” Sophie encouraged, laughing. “For heaven’s sake, say ‘yes’!”
Trent lifted Jeff to his feet and kissed him. “Of course, I say yes,” he murmured, then turned to Sophie. “Don’t you have to say ‘yes’ too? He asked both of us.”
“YES!” Sophie shouted, then dashed forward and embraced both men. “Yes! And I’m the flower girl!”
Jeff burst into laughter and leaned forward into Trent’s waiting arms.
“And you two have to buy me an expensive new dress!”
“Uh-oh,” Jeff murmured into Trent’s ear.
“That’s what you get for marrying a guy with a teenage daughter.”
The following evening,Jeff stopped by Colin and Joshua’s home to give them the good news.
“Hey, Jeff, come on in,” Joshua told him. “What’s going on?”
“I didn’t see Colin’s car.”
“No, he’s not here. That fucking fraud case is keeping him late at the office. He just texted me that he’ll be home soon, though, if you want to wait …”
“No, Josh. That’s OK.” He fell into a living room chair. “First off, I just came from Rainier. I’m back in therapy and really happy that Jack was able to take me as a patient.”
“He’s a great guy. And a great therapist. You’ll do well with him, Jeff.”
“And,” he grinned at Joshua, “Here’s therealnews: I proposed to Trent and Sophie last night.”
“Jeff!” Joshua crowed. “That’s wonderful! I assume they accepted.”
“They did, thanks, in no small part, to your husband. Colin really helped me yesterday, Josh. I’ve known the guy for fifteen years. Even longer thanyou’veknown him. And I’ve never before seen him that emotionally vulnerable. He showed me his open heart, Josh. And I’ll always be grateful.
Joshua smiled and nodded. “He has a deeply tender side which even close friends rarely see. But when they do, it’s potent.”
