Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
“I’ll help, too,” Maggie added, full of smiles, bouncing a gurgling Anna on her lap.
Heavenly looked teary. Everyone probably assumed his fiancée was overjoyed. But she felt tense against him, and he knew she hated every one of the lies coming out of their mouths.
“That’s lovely,” she murmured noncommittally. “Thank you.”
Plastic smile in place, Seth navigated the barrage of wedding talk, but his attention drifted back to Beck. He’d gone completely silent, mechanically sipping his coffee while ignoring his dessert.
The fucking guilt was eating Seth alive. What had seemed like a simple plan—a few white lies to get through the weekend—felt destructive, like he was slowly poisoning the people he planned to love, honor, and protect.
While the adults discussed wedding plans, the twins drew Hudson into a conversation about football and school. They were bonding too well. That made Seth nervous as fuck.
Finally, the torment of dessert was over. Everyone pitched in to clean up before meandering back to the family room. Maggie settled with baby Anna, feeding her a bottle before rocking her to sleep.
Seth watched Heavenly stare at the baby with a yearning that made his chest buckle. She hadn’t been half so animated talking about their wedding… Had his mom noticed?
With a smile, Maggie placed the sleepy girl in Heavenly’s arms. His mom caught the glow on her face and sent him a look with one directive: Get busy making me more grandbabies.
Seth tried to smile, but Heavenly’s expression both blinded and crushed him. There was no question that she ached to be a mother. It wasn’t merely a want; it was necessary for her soul.
Beck stared at her and the baby with such raw devotion… Jesus, if anyone else saw that expression…game over.
Worse, Seth felt like he was running in place, still scared shitless, no matter how hard he’d tried to embrace the future.
Finally, he cleared his throat sharply. Beck snapped his head around, quickly looking away, jaw clenching.
Seth’s chest burned. Fuck, they’d only been with his family for a handful of hours, and already this subterfuge was threatening to tear them up. How would they keep their feelings under wraps until Sunday afternoon?
Finally, Danny and Maggie left with the baby, and the twins headed out to a party. Matt wasn’t far behind, kissing his mom’s cheek as she hid her yawn behind her hand. Then he was out the door.
Seth was grateful the evening was winding down.
He wrapped his mom in a hug, hoping she’d forgive him…eventually. “You look tired, Mom. Go to bed.”
“I was so excited about your arrival today that I barely slept last night.”
He smiled. “We didn’t sleep much, either. Early flight and all.”
“Of course. I just need to finish readying your rooms upstairs.”
Seth tried not to grimace. “Since it’s Heavenly’s first time in the city, we’re going to spend a few nights in a hotel, make it a little romantic getaway while I show her some sights before we get too busy with wedding festivities. I booked us a room where Beck’s staying. That way, he won’t be alone between his speech and other medical conference duties.”
Grace’s expression deflated slightly. “Oh. I was hoping you’d stay here so we could spend more time together.”
“You’re going to be busy with wedding stuff. But come Friday, we will.”
“Friday? Isn’t Heavenly flying home with Hudson and Beck on Sunday?”
“Yeah. But you’ll have me until Tuesday. Like I said when I made the reservations, I need to finish getting the house ready to put on the market. And it gives me more time to spend with you. That still okay?”
“Of course!” his mom assured. Then she hesitated. “Could Hudson stay here? I’d love some one-on-one time with my grandson.” She turned to him. “You could sleep in your dad’s old room.”
“Can I? I’ll totally dig up his embarrassing high school secrets.” He grinned.
Seth cringed theatrically. “Don’t try to blackmail me later, kid.”
“Can’t promise that,” Hudson shot back.
When his mom laughed, Seth rounded up Beck and Heavenly. After saying their goodnights to Carl and making sure Hudson had everything he needed, they wandered toward the door.
“Thank you for a lovely dinner,” Heavenly murmured, hugging his mom.
“Everything was delicious,” Beck added politely. “I appreciate the hospitality.”
“You’re both welcome. I’m so happy you could come. How about we all meet for brunch tomorrow morning?” His mother suggested a family favorite place not far from the house.
Seth didn’t see a way around it. Besides, he wanted to share some of his favorite childhood haunts with Beck and Heavenly. “Sounds good. Ten?”
“Perfect.” His mother clapped.
Beck started to protest. “You all go ahead. I should register for my conference. I speak at two.”
Maybe their charade would be safer if he spent less time with Heavenly around his family, but Seth was determined that Beck be accepted as part of their unit, not some peripheral friend. “Come with us, man. We’ll make sure you get there in plenty of time.”