by K. C. Wells
“Josh will kick your ass, that’s why not. He wants this to come across as a sweet, wholesome relationship, remember?” Sam scrolled through his contacts and then held out his phone. “And if you think I’m wrong, go ahead: call him.”
To his surprise, Steven grabbed the phone and made the call. He left them sitting at the dining table while he walked away, muttering quietly into the phone.
Sam shook his head and then remembered Gary’s reaction. “And you certainly weren’t helping matters. You’re supposed to be on my side.”
Gary chuckled. “I’m sorry. I knew there was no way you’d let him, though. And you’re right, of course: it’s not the impression Josh wants us to give. Can you imagine Hartsell’s reaction if photos of us in bed together went out in the media? Even if they were only in a gay-friendly magazine.”
Sam guffawed. “Yeah, like they wouldn’t make it onto the Internet in seconds. We’d just be giving him more ammunition. He’d be spouting off about us setting a bad example, indulging in sex before marriage, or something like that.”
“Having said that,” Gary said slowly, “there is always the possibility that him seeing such photos might have a positive result.”
Sam stared. “How do you work that out?” His heart pounded. He did not want to think about him and Gary in a bed.
Gary bit his lip. “He might take one look at them and spontaneously combust. Job done—one less asshole to worry about.”
There was a second or two before both of them burst out laughing.
“We’re being evil,” Sam said between giggles, relief flooding through him.
“No, just hopeful,” Gary suggested, a wicked glint in his eye. Sam was starting to see a whole other side to his fiancé, and he really liked what he saw. There was a mischievous streak running through Gary that was only now beginning to emerge. Of course, it had been difficult not to notice when they’d been making bread together and Gary had rubbed a floury hand all over Sam’s face. Steven had loved it.
Ah yes—the flour….
“Just so you’re aware, I’m not going to forget that trick you pulled.” He gave as stern a glare as he could manage.
Gary’s expression was apologetic. “I’m sorry about that.” Then he spoiled it by grinning. “So not sorry. The look on your face….”
“Okay, guys.” Steven rejoined them, his face crestfallen. “You were right. Josh vetoed the bedroom shots.” He handed Sam his phone.
“Told ya,” Sam said smugly.
“But he did say I can take more romantic shots, should the situation arise,” Steven added with a gleam in his eye.
“Romantic—not sexy,” Sam stressed. “Remember, Josh wants these to go out on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, yeah?”
“All right,” Steven grumbled. “You guys are no fun.” He glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. “Okay, ready for the Biltmore Village? I’ll just make sure I’ve packed all my filters for the camera and then I’ll meet you at the car.” He walked out of the dining area.
Gary leaned in close. “You’ve visited the Biltmore Village, right?”
Sam nodded.
“Well, is there any place where we might accidentally lose Steven?”
Sam huffed. “I think that counts as wishful thinking.” Not that he didn’t love the idea too. “Let’s try to enjoy it, all right? We can look in all the windows and ooh and ahh for the camera. Let’s just… block him out and concentrate on our surroundings.”
“Okay,” Gary agreed with a sigh. “But if a situation presents itself?” He grinned. “All bets are off.”
Sam shook his head. “You’re a bad man, do you know that?”
For a second Gary’s grin faltered. “Mom used to look at me and say, “But you were so sweet when you were a baby. Someone came in the night and swapped you for a little fiend.’”
On impulse Sam gave him a hug. “I like the sound of your mom.” Gary felt good in his arms for those brief seconds, his body warm and firm.
Then it was over and Gary stepped away.
“Come on,” Sam sighed. “Let’s go look pretty for the camera.” He peered at Gary. “And if you promise to behave, I might buy you an ice cream.”
Gary snorted. “Wow. I’m underwhelmed.” Then he grinned. “Make it a double scoop maple pecan and you got a deal.”
They walked to the front door, Sam’s arm at Gary’s back. “I like you. You’re a cheap date.”
Gary snickered as Sam locked the door behind them. “I’m lulling you into a false sense of security. Wait till you see what I ask for in a few weeks, when I’ve gotten to know you a little better.”
The first thought to cross Sam’s mind took him by surprise.
Spending more time with Gary? Bring it on.
“AW, can’t we go in there?” Gary asked, pointing to a children’s clothing shop, Just Ducky.
Sam gave him a hard stare. “Just so we’re clear on this? There are no ducks in there. It’s just a cutesy name, all right?”
Next to him, Steven snickered.
“Really?” Gary’s innocent expression wasn’t fooling Sam for a second. When Steven fiddled with his camera, Gary leaned closer. “Can we go now?” he whispered. “I mean, the Village is a charming place, really quaint, but when you’ve seen one window display, you’ve pretty much seen them all.” He snuck a glance at Steven. “And there are only so many photographic variations you can take of two men looking at… stuff.”
Sam knew exactly what he meant.
“Hey, guys?” Steven flicked his head toward the hotel behind them. “I need to go find a restroom, okay? Will you two be all right on your own for a sec? I’ll be as quick as I can. Then we can take some more pictures at the art gallery.”
Gary turned his head and did an eye-roll.
Quick as a flash, Sam nodded. “Sure. We’ll wait right here.”
Steven grinned and handed them the bag with all his camera equipment. “Take care of this for me?”
“No problem,” Sam said smoothly. “Take your time.” He waited until Steven was out of sight before grabbing Gary’s arm. “Quick.” He tugged him away from the hotel and across the cobbled street.
“What are we doing?” Gary asked, his eyes wide.
“Ditching Steven,” Sam said with a grin. “You with me?”
Gary’s eyes lit up. “You bet.”
Sam slung Steven’s bag over his shoulder and grasped Gary’s hand. “Let’s make a run for it, back to the parking lot. We’re going to have to move fast.”
They sprinted along the street, Gary twisting to look back over his shoulder.
“Any sign of him?” Sam said breathlessly.
“No, but we’re too visible.” Gary glanced around and tugged Sam toward the corner. “Quick. This way!” Sam surged ahead and Gary laughed. “Hey, wait for me!”
Sam cackled loudly. “Keep up, slowpoke!” He pointed to a playground. “Through there. It’s a shortcut to the parking lot.”
Gary chuckled, panting. “You have been here before. Done this before too?”
Sam snorted. “No, this is all you.”
“Me?” The word came out as an adorable squeak. “What have I got to do with this?”
“Getting me into bad habits!” Sam yelled back as they reached the lot where they’d parked the Explorer, Steven’s beat-up Jeep next to it. Sam placed the bag in the trunk, swung the car out of the lot, and sped through the quaint streets.
“Hey, wait a minute!” Gary shrieked. “You’re heading the wrong way! Isn’t this the street the hotel is on? He’ll spot us for sure. Turn off!”
“Too late—duck!” Sam cried out as he caught sight of Steven standing on a street corner, looking up and down, scowling.
Gary promptly bent over, and Sam did his best to turn his face away, still chuckling. “Do you think he saw us?” Gary whispered.
Sam cackled once more. “Why are you whispering? And you can get up now.”
Gary sat upright and peered in the rearview mirror
. “He’ll have seen the car. He knows what you drive.”
“Yeah, but he still has to catch us.”
“Where are we going?” Gary asked, laughing. “Or have you not thought that far ahead?”
“The last place Steven would think of looking for us,” Sam said. “We’re going to the Biltmore Estate.”
“Aren’t we supposed to be going there tomorrow?”
Sam nodded, grinning. “Which is why he’ll never think of looking for us there,” he explained patiently.
“You’re a genius.”
“See, now you’re getting to know me!”
THEY were sitting on a wrought-iron bench, with a back that resembled a pattern of fern leaves, in the Biltmore Conservatory. Behind them, rising high into the air and bracketed by tree ferns, was a huge camellia shrub, its flowers deep red. Gary was feeling at peace for the first time that week.
His body was peaceful, at least. The same couldn’t be said for his mind.
Sam was quiet beside him, watching the visitors walking around the Conservatory, apparently drinking in the scents and the sights. Three hours of strolling around the grounds—heaven. It was ironic that they’d ditched Steven. The place was perfect for just the kind of romantic photos Josh was after.
We’ll make it up to him. We’ll come back another day.
Gary could see why Josh had spoken about using the Biltmore Estate as a possible venue for the wedding. The mansion resembled a French chateau, and its gardens were magnificent.
And suddenly there he was, at the heart of what had been gnawing at his thoughts ever since Curtis’s e-mail had arrived that morning. He’d shoved it aside each time it had surfaced, but Gary couldn’t leave it any longer.
“Can we talk?”
Sam inclined his head toward him. “Sure. Is anything wrong?”
That was it. Gary wasn’t sure.
“I got an e-mail this morning,” he began. When Sam didn’t react, he pressed on. “From Curtis. It was the first draft of our agreement.”
That got a reaction.
“Oh.” Sam let out a sigh. “I wondered if you’d want to discuss it.”
Gary twisted on the bench so he faced Sam. “This marriage….” He tried his best to form his thoughts into coherent sentences. “Everything isn’t as cut-and-dried as it appeared on Tuesday, is it?”
“Go on,” Sam said quietly.
“Well, at the press conference, you told the reporters we were planning our wedding.”
“That’s right.”
Gary was nodding. “Yeah, but in this contract Curtis sent me, it doesn’t state that we’re definitely getting married. It simply states that a wedding might take place in the future. And I figured you had to know about this.” He cocked his head to one side. “So you’re okay with us getting engaged, but as far as getting married is concerned, that’s up in the air?” He held up his hands. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying ‘why isn’t this etched in stone?’ I’m just trying to find out exactly where I stand. Because this isn’t where I thought I was standing a couple of days ago.”
Sam’s face fell. “Look, it’s just….” He swallowed. “I asked Curtis to allow for the possibility that the wedding might take place because… there’s part of me that still feels this is wrong. Getting engaged is one thing—engagements are broken off all the time. But marriage? That’s different. We’d be making vows to each other, supposedly in the sight of God, and—”
“You didn’t like the idea of lying?”
Sam sighed heavily. “It would be real enough on paper, but in here?” He tapped his temple and over his heart. “It wouldn’t be a real marriage in here, no matter what I kept telling myself.” He bowed his head. “We’d be living a lie, and I don’t think I can agree to that.”
“Aren’t we living a lie now?” Gary suggested. “It’s not a real engagement, is it?”
Sam said nothing.
“So what’s the plan?” Gary’s head was buzzing.
“We stay engaged for a while, we see how the election goes—we play it by ear.” He lifted his chin and met Gary’s gaze. “This is how I’m feeling now. Things might change. I might change. Who knows if I’ll feel the same way in a month, or two months…?”
Gary stared at him. “I don’t know what to say,” he said simply.
“I never meant to jerk you around,” Sam said. “But things moved so freaking fast on Tuesday, and before I had time to turn around, I found myself engaged. I guess when I’d had time to think, I panicked and called Curtis.”
Gary took a deep breath. “I think what hurts most about all this is that you didn’t think you could mention it to me. You let me read it in an e-mail. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I really thought we were getting along.”
“We are,” Sam stressed. “Like I said, this is just how I’m feeling now. A month from now we could be announcing a date for the wedding.” He reached across and laid his hand over Gary’s. “Are you happy for us to continue? Knowing what you know now?”
Gary stared at Sam’s hand, his mind turning Sam’s words over and over. “Can you make me a promise?”
“That depends,” Sam said, a note of caution in his voice.
“Don’t shut me out. If it’s something that affects our agreement, let me know.” He turned his hand palm upward, and Sam laced their fingers. It was an unexpectedly intimate gesture.
“I promise.” Those deep brown eyes were focused on him. “I… I’ve really enjoyed spending these last few days with you. I don’t want to spoil that friendship. Because we are going to need to be friends if this is going to work.”
Gary nodded. “Okay, then.”
Sam smiled and withdrew his hand. “You think we’d better go home and face the music? That’s where Steven will probably be waiting for us.” He pulled out his phone and grimaced. “Oh Lord. There must be at least fifteen texts on here from him and Josh. We’d definitely better go.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Gary rose and walked with Sam toward the exit. He knew why that e-mail had hurt. It had nothing to do with Sam not being the one to break it to him and everything to do with the fact that Gary’s hopes had been quashed.
He wouldn’t have minded being Sam’s husband. Not for a second.
Chapter Eight
Saturday
“MORE coffee?” Sam held up the pot.
Gary nodded. “Thanks. Any word from Josh yet?” He glanced at his phone on the table. “I thought we’d have heard from him before now.”
Sam had a bad feeling about that. There’d been no Steven awaiting them when they’d gotten back to the house the previous evening, which had been a relief. But they’d spent the night waiting for Sam’s phone to ring. When no call or more texts had materialized, Sam had heaved a sigh of relief, and he’d gone to bed with a lighter heart.
Not that he’d slept much when he’d gotten there. He couldn’t get the conversation with Gary out of his head. What surprised him was Gary’s attitude. Sam had expected him to be relieved that the wedding wasn’t a done deal, but that wasn’t how it had come across. It was almost as if Gary had been… upset.
I’m probably reading too much into this. The contract just took him by surprise, that’s all. Curtis had agreed to the cautious wording of the agreement once Sam had explained his reasons. Let me get used to the idea of being engaged. I don’t want to rush into anything.
He gazed across the table to where Gary was drinking coffee and staring out at the view. “It is beautiful here, isn’t it?”
Gary smiled. “That it is.” He cocked his head. “Listen to those birds. What a gorgeous noise. They sound so happy, like they’re glad to be alive.”
Sam chuckled. “Yeah, more like we had a rain shower during the night, and right now all the birds can spot the worms.”
“Cynic.” Gary drank some more. “I prefer my interpretation.” Sam’s phone chirruped, and he raised his eyebrows. “I guess we know who that will be.”
Sam
sighed and peered at the screen. “No guessing required.” He connected and put the phone to his ear. “Good morning.” He kept his tone light.
“Put me on speaker,” Josh demanded instantly.
No Good morning, boss. No nothing. Fuck. They were in trouble.
Sam did as instructed and placed the phone on the table between them. “Okay, we can both hear you.”
“Did you boys enjoy your little stunt yesterday?”
Gary stiffened and narrowed his lips. Sam could understand that reaction. Something in Josh’s tone put Sam’s back up too.
“I still employ you, don’t I?” he inquired. “I was just wondering, because the way you’re speaking to me right now is—”
“That’s right, you pay me to do a job,” Josh ground out. “So yeah, I’m allowed to be pissed when you go and screw up my plans. Especially when they’re already starting to pay off.”
“What are you talking about?”
Josh huffed. “I don’t expect you to follow yourself on social media, because heaven knows you’ve got better things to do right now, and besides, that’s what you hired me for. But those pictures Steven took at the SPCA the other morning? You should see how many impressions they’ve earned us. Even the ones from the village yesterday are getting liked and retweeted already. And as for that video he shot of you two bathing Dinky? Unbelievable reaction.”
“Wait—what video?” Gary straightened in his chair, staring at the phone.
Josh snickered. “The one I told him to shoot. The one that’s in the top twenty of YouTube’s most viewed list already. Everyone loves it.”
“You told Steven? How about telling us?” Sam demanded. He’d had no clue about the filming.
“I figured you’d be more natural if you didn’t know,” Josh said airily. “And it worked!” A pause followed. “So let’s all agree that Josh knows what he’s talking about, and do what I tell you, all right? Steven will be there any minute. You’re all going to the Biltmore Estate, where you are going to do exactly as he tells you and make both him and me happy. You both got that?”
