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)
The rest of the family echoed the sentiment.
Seth exhaled in relief. That explanation could have been all kinds of messy, but Beck had handled it deftly, downplaying the violent massacre. What his mother had heard? That Beck was basically an orphan who needed mommying.
Repressing a smile, he sent Beck a glance that said well done.
Beck raised a brow. I’ve got a trick or two up my sleeve.
“Well, Mom,” Matt said with a grin, “looks like you finally got your wish. You always wanted one of your sons to be a doctor.”
The table erupted in laughter, and Grace swatted at Matt playfully, then turned back to Beck. “Do you live close to Seth?”
Beck tensed, then deferred to him with a look.
Seth cleared his throat. “Actually, Heavenly and I moved in with Beck a few months back. LA is really expensive, and Beck has a huge house… Since she’s still in nursing school, and I’d just started the business out West, it made sense.”
He hoped the explanation didn’t sound as clumsy as it felt. The twins’ knowing smirks made him want to slap them upside the head. Thankfully, no one else seemed to notice.
“Oh.” His mother frowned, her maternal concern evident. “Is Cooper Investigations West all right?”
“Great, actually,” Seth assured her. “But it was still new when we first moved in with Beck. Besides, he has a fabulous pool. When he asked if we wanted to move in, there was no reason not to say yes.”
“Beck’s house is sick. Nice neighborhood. And it has everything, especially super sturdy chaise lounges in the backyard,” Jack told their mom with deliberate innocence.
Seth shot him a warning glare. The little shit’s eyes just danced with mischief.
Heavenly smoothed over the awkward exchange, bless her. “Beck’s house is centrally located, so it’s a short commute to the hospital where Beck works and I volunteer. And Seth’s office isn’t far at all.”
Grace still looked a bit confused but smiled politely. “That sounds lovely.”
“It’s great,” Seth assured, then changed the subject before their facade got derailed.
After dinner, Mom brought out dessert—her famous apple pie.
Unfortunately, that signaled the moment Seth had been dreading all evening.
Dragging in a deep breath, he stood, taking Heavenly’s hand and bringing her to her feet. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to them with expectant faces.
Except Beck’s. He stared down at his untouched dessert, white-knuckling a cup of coffee, jaw clenched.
Guilt threatened to crush Seth. This would slice Beck in two. Seth knew that. Heavenly, too.
Even though Beck had agreed to this charade, even though it was temporary, Seth hated it on every level.
Beck lifted his gaze to Seth and gave him an almost imperceptible nod.
Get it over with.
Fuck. He should have rehearsed what he was going to say.
“I have an announcement to make.” Seth swallowed hard, then forced a smile as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out the engagement ring and slipped it on Heavenly’s finger, letting the diamond catch the light. “I asked Heavenly to marry me…and she said yes. We’re engaged.”
After a split second of silence, his mother gasped. The rest of the room stood, exploding in a chorus of applause and congratulations in a typically loud Cooper family celebration.
Seth turned to Heavenly. Her smile looked as fake as his felt, but he kissed her, squeezing her shoulder in a silent promise. He’d make this up to both of them.
The tear sliding down Heavenly’s cheek threatened to gut Seth. He wiped it away as she risked a glance at Beck, who still sat in his chair, looking even more frozen.
Oblivious to the undercurrent, his mom looked beside herself with excitement. “I’m so happy for you two! Oh, my goodness. You said you were thinking about proposing, but…when did this happen?”
“A few weeks ago.” Seth wrapped an arm around Heavenly’s waist and let her hide her face in his chest.
He could feel her pain. Feel Beck’s. Guilt ripped through him. Maintaining this fucking facade was hell. The next four days were going to be long.
When could they cut this evening short and head to their hotel in the city?
“Have you chosen a wedding date?” his mom pressed.
“Not yet,” Heavenly said softly. “Everything’s up in the air with my school schedule, but I’ll graduate next May.”
“You’re smart to wait. School is important. Have you decided if you’re getting married in LA or here in New York?”
“Probably LA.” Seth saved her from answering. “I know you’d love us to do it here, but we got together out West. And hey, it’s a good excuse to get you all out to Cali.”
Mom turned to Heavenly with bright eyes. “Have you picked out a dress yet?”
“I haven’t even started looking. I haven’t done any planning at all,” Heavenly admitted. “It’s a little overwhelming.”
“Oh, I’d love to help you!” his mom offered eagerly. “I mean, if that wouldn’t be stepping on your toes.”