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)
“That’s for them to figure out, Mom. Right now, you only need to focus on you, your wedding, and being happy. One day at a time.”
“You’re right again.” She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for listening. I know it’s not easy, having your mother struggle with your brothers’ choices.”
Seth squeezed back, hoping desperately that she’d remember this conversation when the time for his own admission came. “I love you, Mom. Just like I love Jack and Connor. I want this family to stay together. Whatever it takes. How about we talk again after the wedding?”
“Could we?” She actually looked hopeful.
“Let’s plan on it.” He kissed her cheek, hoping the breakthrough they all needed was just around the corner.
The waitress appeared with their food, breaking the moment. As plates of eggs, bacon, and toast were distributed around the table, the conversation shifted to lighter topics—picking up tuxedos, last-minute details for the rehearsal dinner, seating arrangements that would keep certain relatives from killing each other.
Seth half listened to the chatter about flowers and photographers, his mind churning.
“So what’s the plan for today?” Carl asked as they finished eating.
“Beck needs to get back to the city for his conference presentation,” Seth supplied. “Heavenly will go with him to take some photos of him in action for hospital administrators and social media. While they’re busy, I’m meeting Tony for a beer so we can catch up. Then we’re hoping to take in a show tonight. But we’ll see you for breakfast tomorrow?”
“Perfect.” His mom smiled.
As they gathered their things and headed for the door, Seth’s phone buzzed with a text from their Uber driver. “Our ride’s here.”
His mom hugged each of them goodbye, smiling and holding on to Heavenly for a few extra moments. “I’m so glad you’re here, sweetheart. This weekend means the world to me.”
Seth caught his mother’s eye over Heavenly’s head, seeing the love and acceptance there. The irony cut deep. Mom had embraced Heavenly completely as Seth’s fiancée. If she knew Heavenly belonged to Beck every bit as much, what would she say?
At ten past two, Seth stepped into the hotel’s swanky bar, striding across the marble floor. As he searched for Tony Marconi’s familiar face, he took in the refined elegance around him that screamed old New York money. Rich crown moldings and pale walls gleamed under soft lighting. Crystal decanters lined mirrored shelves behind an ornate bar. Leather banquettes in deep emerald green provided intimate seating, whispering of discreet conversations and billion-dollar deals.
Since Seth didn’t see his former partner yet, he settled into a corner booth with his back to the wall. Here, he could watch the entrance—a must since being back in the city tended to make him edgy, like he had eyes on him.
When a server stopped to welcome him, he ordered a beer and settled back to wait, studying the faces around him.
As soon as his beer arrived, he lifted the bottle to his lips. His cell phone chimed with a message, so he swallowed, tapped the screen, and read the text from the Realtor his mother had recommended. She could meet him at his former house at four-thirty. Good.
For weeks, Seth had pondered listing the place “as is” so he’d never have to step foot inside again. After his panic attack a few weeks ago, he’d been reluctant to return. But if they were going to have a baby, they needed a new house—which meant getting top dollar for this one. He’d get a list of repairs from the agent that would maximize the sale price, grab whatever he couldn’t bring himself to throw away, then close that chapter of his life for good.
The plan was logical. That didn’t mean it wouldn’t be hell.
For now, he compartmentalized that chore and glanced at his watch. Beck and Heavenly would be in the ballroom by now, the surgeon launching his speech while their girl snapped pictures, determined to capture the moment like a proud fiancée.
“Hey. There you are, Cooper.”
Seth looked up to find Tony approaching. For a moment, the years fell away. His former partner looked more weathered around the edges—hell, he did, too—but the guy’s cocky grin was the same.
“Hey, Marconi.” Seth stood and gave him a back-slapping bro hug, then gestured for him to sit. “Glad you could make time today.”
“Me, too.” Tony sank onto the green leather bench, flagged down the server, and ordered a club soda. “It’s good to see you, man, especially since we didn’t get much time to talk last month. How’s life been?”
“Crazy.” Seth took another pull from his beer. “Since I saw you last, I found out I have another son…who’s sixteen.”
Tony’s eyes bulged. “No shit? God, you were a teenager.”
He nodded. “When I came home from New York last month, the kid was at my house with my girlfriend—well, fiancée now—waiting for me. Hudson—that’s his name—is now living with us. We’ve been getting to know each other.”