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“That’s okay,” I said easily. “You show me every time I touch you.”
“So modest…”
I collected my wallet and phone, and Beckett returned to the bathroom to style his hair. It felt strange to know that in a few minutes we’d be exchanging vows of love and commitment. My heart skipped a beat each time I thought of it.
I wasn’t nervous. I knew I loved Beck, and we werealreadymarried and had been for months. But there was a simmering anticipation. A thrill to knowing I could finally share this important moment with our family and friends.
Beckett stepped out of the bathroom. “Are you ready?”
“More than ever.”
He smiled at me, affection and warmth emanating from him. “Then let’s go get married on purpose.”
* * *
BECKETT
We droveto Beaver Hole Park for our wedding ceremony. It was more a celebration of our existing marriage than a legal proceeding, so we didn’t need an officiant. But it was a chance to exchange vows that we could remember clearly, words of love and commitment that we both meant because we’d planned this wedding rather than leaping into it impulsively.
Not that I could regret my actions in Vegastoo much.They had led me to a future with the only man I’d ever wanted.
As we drove through downtown, we passed the street beautification project in progress. Wes’s plans were coming together beautifully despite his anxiety about designing something on his own. Small ornamental trees, benches, and brightly flowering perennials gave the street a vibrancy that made it feel alive. It was similar to our downtown main street, but with just enough differences to complement it rather than copy it.
We continued on through the Dix neighborhood, where the house renovations were finally complete, creating two blocks of lovely but affordable homes, and circled around to a parking area on the other side of Beaver Hole.
It was spring now, and everything was blooming so beautifully that I felt a rush of pride.
This park had been our test. As work partners, but as lovers too. We found our footing while we planted the flowering shrubs around the gazebo where we’d exchange vows. Just as the plants’ roots took hold, so did ours.
Those roots had already been there as we became brothers and friends. But they’d branched out, growing even stronger as we bloomed into lovers and husbands.
White folding chairs were set out in rows in front of the gazebo, just one solid block with no rows between, since we wereallfamily. Not just Potters or Monroes, but every single person in Granville. Because that’s what this town was, a big, extended family full of close, giving friends, annoying pests, and nosy grandmas.
People were already mingling as we made our way across the lush grass.
Lula Miller and Paula Goodman were over by the picnic table, setting down gifts wrapped in sparkly paper. I could already guess what was in those, and judging by Wes’s smirk, he could too.
Darren Rafferty and his boyfriend, the reporter Linc Tate, were off to one side, chatting with a small group of friends, including the assistant football coach, Dawson Woods, and his boyfriend Evan Moore. Lyle Jennings gave us a nod, and his more effusive boyfriend Truman Scott waved with a big smile on his face.
Wes had told me that Lyle helped him through some of those tough days when we were both coming to terms with what we really wanted from each other. I’d have to make time to thank him—and Laurie, too—for their support while we floundered.
Beyond the group of friends were Elmer and Agatha Boyd—owners of the news blog in town, as well as two stores downtown. They’d remarried about a year ago after many years as bitter exes and already defied the odds bystayingmarried this time, though they appeared to be bickering about a car. Anna and her new boyfriend, Derek, watched with wide eyes. Iola had told me at length this morning about the new match she’d made with Anna and how well it had turned out, so at least Anna had gotten a happy ending too, and Iola had a feather to put in her cap even if I had scuttled her matchmaking plans for me.
Wes and I veered away to avoid getting ensnared in Agatha and Elmer’s argument only to stumble directly into the path of LeRoy and Eugene.
“Ah, the grooms to be,” Eugene said with a smile. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” Wes said.
“Don’t get too used to being the men of the hour,” LeRoy said, eyes sparkling. “I’m going to drag Eugene up to that altar next!”
“Oh, are you engaged?”
Eugene appeared to be a little flustered. “Uh…”
LeRoy dropped to one knee. “Genie, will you make me the happiest man ever and marry me in this beautiful park?”
Eugene gasped, looking horrified. “LeRoy, you can’t propose at someone else’s wedding! It’s so tactless!”
