by Lucy Hawkins
The sooner Hazel and Alex were well away from him, the better. He didn’t need to give her any more proof that he was absolutely smitten with her best friend.
“The catering company should be here within the next hour or so,” Alex said, setting his plate and cup in the sink. “Let me know when the florist gets here with the bouquets. And the photographer. I’ll need to show him where to set up.”
Grabbing an armful of bags, Alex pushed the kitchen door open with his hip and looked back at Hazel, who was still staring at Hank.
“Come on, Haze. It’s gonna take hours to get you looking all bridal. We’ve got work to do!”
With one last parting glance, she nodded and picked up her dress bag, following Alex up the stairs. As the door closed behind them, Hank let out a slow breath. He was so fucked.
Eleven
Alex
“Holy shit, Hazel, you look beautiful.” Alex couldn’t look away.
The dress clung to her in all the right places, flaring out just past her hips to cascade down to the floor. Whoever designed the dress was a genius who’d clearly obsessed over every last detail, from the delicate beading on the bodice and cap sleeve to the cut of the sweetheart neckline. The best part was, she wasn’t showing in the slightest.
“Meghan Markle’s got nothing on you,” he said with a grin.
Hazel beamed and twirled, eyeing herself in the mirror. “You really like it? I had to get it from the showroom because there was no time to custom make anything.”
“Seriously? It looks like it was made for you.”
He shouldn’t have been surprised at how stunning she looked. She could have worn a potato sack and still looked gorgeous, but the dress seemed to enhance her beauty, drawing attention to her best features.
She spun around again, then grabbed Alex’s arm, breathing deeply. “Bad idea. Very bad idea. Baby does not like that.”
“Come on, take a seat,” Alex said, leading her to the bed. Hazel stared at her hands, her jaw trembling, and Alex knew what came next. “Hey now, what’s the matter? Everything’s going perfectly.”
“I know.” Hazel’s voice shook. “It just doesn’t seem real that all of it’s happening. We’ve planned this day for so long, and it’s here now and there are swans…”
There were swans. He smiled slowly, remembering his own shock when he’d seen the dozens of white birds floating in the lake.
“I still can’t believe he got them for you,” Alex said. “I mean, the first time I mentioned them to him, he laughed at me.”
Hazel took his hands in hers. “Alex, babe, I don’t think he got them for me.”
He frowned. “What do you mean? It’s your wedding. Who else would he get them for?”
“You.”
“Me?” Alex scoffed. “That’s absurd. I’m not getting married. I said you wanted them and—”
“And he went out of his way to get them for you because he knew you were having a hard time finding them.”
His mind reeled as he tried to process what she was saying. The entire reason he wanted the swans was for Hazel. There was no reason for Hank to get them just to… what, impress him?
“Okay, let’s say he did get them for me instead of you. Why would he do that?”
Hazel raised her eyebrows in a look that clearly said, are you fucking kidding me? “Oh, I don’t know. Why would he offer to make the cake? Why would he go out of his way to repair the lake cottages? Why would he insist on making you breakfast every time you show up at the inn?” Alex really shouldn’t have told her that one. “I think he likes you. Really likes you. More than just a friend or a business associate. I’m surprised you didn’t see it.”
Hank… What? That didn’t make sense. Hank had bullied and tormented him all throughout high school. He’d thrown rocks at Alex that day at the lake. Sure, he seemed to have turned over a new leaf, but surely that change didn’t include his sexuality. Hank was straight.
“What is it with everyone saying Hank’s gay? He’s not gay,” Alex said.
Hazel frowned. “Everyone?”
“The people with Weddings Quarterly. They were convinced Hank was gay and we were together. But he’s not gay. He’s not. I think I’d have noticed by now.”
“Oh, sweetie,” Hazel said with a soft laugh. “Just because you’re gay doesn’t mean you have a good eye for spotting other people who are. Remember when you thought our waiter at that Greek restaurant was straight and then we saw him making out with his boyfriend behind the restaurant?”
That was a fair point, and he knew Hazel had a list of other examples, but still. This was Hank.
What if she’s right? His stomach flipped at the thought. If Hank was gay, which he most certainly wasn’t, then there was a very real possibility he was flirting with Alex. Which meant all those thoughts—fantasies, if he were being honest with himself—that he’d been having could possibly be a reality. He wasn’t sure he was ready for that possibility.
“Look, Hazel, I love you more than any other person in the world, but you’re wrong on this one. You just are, okay?”
She held her hands up in a peaceful gesture. “Okay. I didn’t mean to freak you out. If you say he’s straight, then he’s straight. I just thought I saw something between you two down in the kitchen.”
He wanted to ask what she’d seen. To know exactly what vibes Hank was putting off to give her the impression he was into Alex. But today was about Hazel and getting her down the aisle, so instead he just forced himself to smile. “I think you might need to have your vision checked. Now come on. Miranda’s going to be here any minute to do your hair and makeup.”
Alex stood on the edge of the raised dance platform, watching the new Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Reagan have their first dance as husband and wife. The entire wedding had gone off without a hitch. Aaron had cried watching Hazel walk down the aisle, the flower girl had clapped and cheered loudly at just the right moment, and the swans on the lake provided the perfect backdrop. Alex had snuck glances at them every few minutes as he stood beside Hazel, watching her say her vows. Hank had done this for him. His heart warmed at the thought.
While the catering as a whole was a hit, the majority of the compliments were reserved for the wedding cake. Hank had settled on strawberry for the frosting, and the wedding guests had agreed it was perfect for the wedding. A few had even asked Alex for Hank’s business card so they could keep him in mind for their birthdays, anniversaries, and baby showers.
“Enjoying yourself?” Hank asked, walking up beside him.
Alex nodded. “I finally get to now that everything’s over. My duties as man of honor are officially complete.”
“Then you can take a walk with me?”
He looked over at Hank, who was staring at him intently. “Yeah, I think that would be okay. No one will miss me if I duck out for a few minutes.”
Hank led him away from the dance floor and the crowd of people, the music fading in the background as they headed back down toward the lake. The swans still floated serenely on the water near the altar where Hazel and Aaron had pledged themselves to each other. The lake extended for quite a while, and Hank took him past the cottages and a grove of trees that gathered on the bank. On the other side of the trees was a dock where a small canoe sat tied to one of the piers.
“What is this?” he asked with a smile.
“I thought it might be fun to take you out on the water, if you’re interested.”
He nodded. “Yeah, absolutely.”
His heart beat faster as he stepped onto the deck and walked over to the boat. Hank held out his hand, and Alex gripped it as he climbed down into the canoe, careful not to tip the whole thing over. Hank joined him, taking a seat across from Alex. A flush worked its way up the back of his neck. If it were anyone other than Hank, this would have been incredibly romantic. Still, even with Hank it felt absolutely magical, as though he were in a dream.
Alex let Hank row and tried not to stare as his muscles worked underneat
h his shirt. That was more difficult than he had anticipated since they were facing each other. The silence only served to intensify the energy surrounding them, thick and buzzing, yet somehow also calm and comforting. It was always like that with Hank. He had a strong energy about him, even though he was almost impossible to read. His face was expressionless, aside from a slight strain every now and again as he plowed at the water with a strength Alex could never mimic.
Yet for all Alex tried not to stare, sometimes he couldn’t help but think Hank was staring back. Hazel’s words from before the wedding came back to him. I think he likes you. Really likes you. More than just a friend or a business associate. I’m surprised you didn’t see it. Was he seeing it now? Was Hank trying to show him something?
“It’s beautiful.” The words brought Alex out of his mind and back to the present. Hank had stopped rowing and let the boat simply drift through the water.
The sun was just starting to set, casting a golden yellow halo around Hank. Alex had to squint to see his features properly, but when he did, he found Hank was smiling. Beautiful, indeed. All the tension seemed to drain from Alex. All the hard work and effort he’d put into the last month was finished, and now he could enjoy it.
“Magical,” he agreed. “I don’t know how I could have pulled any of this off without you.”
Hank let out a derisive noise and shook his head. “It was all you. I just took orders and tried my hardest not to piss you off.”
Alex laughed until his sides hurt, while Hank just chuckled and shook his head. When was the last time he’d felt so light? So comfortable around another man like this? He couldn’t help but want to get to know Hank. At times, it seemed like Hazel might be right. There was something there, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Something he never imagined would be possible with a man like Hank. But that didn’t change the fact that Hank was straight. All that could ever happen between them was friendship, and even that seemed like a stretch at times.
Whatever was happening, though, Alex was grateful for it. Over the past month, Hank had been a shoulder when he needed one the most, a soundboard for all his ramblings and what felt like the only person he could rely on right now.
“Surprisingly, I enjoyed it,” Hank said. “This whole thing was a learning experience. And it’s given me some great ideas on how to revamp the inn.”
“You’re really all in on this? Running the inn, I mean.” Alex cocked his head to the side. There had to be more to the story than just preserving his aunt’s legacy.
“I am,” Hank said. “I don’t have a choice. The inn was everything to Aunt Norma, and I’m not going to let it fall apart. I made her a promise that I’d get it back to what it once was. It’s the last I can do for her after leaving. After… everything.”
Now they were getting somewhere. What had happened? He’d quit his football career and moved back to Redwood, but why? There had to be more to it than just keeping his aunt’s estate in order. What had he meant by ‘after everything?’
“Well, you’re halfway there,” he said, trying to sound encouraging.
“Thanks to you. I’ve already heard a bunch of these city folks talking about coming back for a quaint weekend getaway.” He wrinkled his nose at the word.
“You deserve it. You care about the place. Everyone can see it. That’s always a pull when it comes to getting new customers. People want an authentic experience. Home cooking and baking, small town hospitality, swans…” He gestured to the bevy of white feathers surrounding them. “I still can’t believe you did this.”
“Yeah well…” Hank rubbed the back of his neck, his expression guilty. “I have a confession to make.”
A dozen thoughts raced through Alex’s mind, and his breath hitched. God damn Grant for always making him assume the worst. How long would it be before his default wasn’t distrust anymore?
“Yeah?” The word came out a bit strangled.
“You remember when I said I found a clip of The Notebook on YouTube? I… lied. I might have watched it. And I might have actually kind of enjoyed it.”
Alex stared as that information washed over him. Nothing bad. Great, actually. Hank had watched The Notebook. And he had liked it. A slow grin spread across his face, and he let out a giggle. “You did not!”
“In my defense, it happened to be playing on TV,” Hank said in between his own hearty laughs.
Slowly, their laughter died down, rippling like the water around them. In the distance, the wedding band played and guests on the lawn chattered loudly. The boat had glided past the spot where the swans were gathered, to the middle of the lake. Too far away to make out anything other than the blurred lights and moving figures.
“Hey,” Alex said gently. Hank’s hands were right there. It would be so easy to take them. But he resisted. “I’m glad I met you. Again, I mean. And I’m glad we’re… friends this time.”
A dazzling smile lit up Hank’s face. God, he was gorgeous. The setting sun had nothing on him. He looked absolutely radiant. How could anyone look so masculine and strong yet soft and tender? There was this whole other side of him Alex was discovering. Not to mention, he’d scrubbed up well. His crisp, light blue button down brought out the blue threads in his hazel eyes, and his charcoal slacks hugged his ass and thighs in a way that made Alex’s mouth water. He’d been a bit surprised Hank owned anything other than the worn jeans, flannel, and stained T-shirts he’d seen him in over the past month, but this look was definitely a good one.
“Yeah, me too. It’s always nice to have a new friend.” Hank didn’t meet his gaze.
Alex pursed his lips. Were they avoiding the elephant in the room? The past they’d shared in high school where he was the football star and Alex was the town queer? Hank had been the bully and Alex the victim. By all rights, this was never supposed to happen. He was supposed to look at Hank and resent him, not want to get to know him better.
But it had happened. The football star and the town queer were friends after all.
Twelve
Hank
After their outing on the lake, Hank retreated to the kitchen, only appearing when someone needed his help. He wasn’t a guest at the wedding, and he certainly wasn’t interested in mingling with the snotty socialites partying out on the lawn. In all fairness, Hazel and her new husband were nice enough, and he had no right to judge. Not all rich people were assholes. Except, there were quite a few who were, and they were the ones who kept making complaints to staff about the tiniest things.
Hank had done his best to fix anything out of order, sparing Alex from having to handle it. Along with putting an end to his duties as man of honor, he’d semi-retired his wedding planner role for the evening to enjoy the festivities. If there was anyone who deserved to relax, it was Alex. He’d poured his heart and soul into this wedding, spending every waking minute of the last month ensuring everything was perfect. When Alex walked into the kitchen carrying a bottle of Balvenie single malt scotch, Hank knew it was time to kick back and enjoy the rest of the night.
“Fancy a celebration drink?” Alex asked, holding up the bottle. “You deserve it for pulling off your first wedding here. It wasn’t an easy crowd, but everyone’s gone back to the city or off to bed happy, I can guarantee you that. They all loved this place.”
“You betcha.” Hank glanced at the clock. It was well after midnight. At some point during his bouts of hiding and bustling around, the party had come to an end, aside from a few drunken stragglers on the lawn.
Moving to the drawing room, Hank and Alex sat on the sofa. It was small enough that their thighs touched, and Hank suppressed a shiver at the closeness. Alex poured the scotch and handed over a glass before holding out his own and raising it to toast.
“To the future, whatever it may bring. And to new friendships.”
“Here, here.” Hank raised his glass to Alex’s, feeling truly peaceful for the first time in a very long time.
As comfortable as Hank was being around A
lex, there was a certain strangeness about the scenario—drinking fine scotch Hank didn’t even want to know the price of while laughing like they’d known each other for years. Which, in a way, they had. Part of Hank wanted to bring up their past, but what would he even say? Maybe he’d gotten Alex wrong. Maybe he wasn’t the kid who thought he was too good for everyone in Redwood. Too good for Hank.
The Alex he knew now certainly didn’t have that attitude. He was kind-hearted and funny, the kind of person who put others before himself and was surprisingly down-to-earth. Sure, he was a little bit over the top and dramatic, and some like Rhiannon would even go as far as to call him high-maintenance. But he made everyone smile with his flair.
Alex regaled him with tales of the reception while they knocked back scotch until Hank’s face was almost numb. Pulling himself to his feet, Alex walked over and turned the radio on. He froze, a wide smile splitting his face.
“Do you know what song this is?”
Of course Hank did. How could he not? Makes Me Wonder by Maroon 5 had been the biggest hit of senior year. As such, it had been played at least three times during prom. Hank had gone with Jessica Lane, one of the cheerleaders, as was expected of a football player. Her blood red dress had a slit up to her thigh, and the neckline plunged so deeply she’d gotten a warning from the vice principle. She clearly wanted to make a statement. But Hank hardly had eyes for her. He’d been too busy trying not to stare at Alex, who’d dyed his hair blue for the occasion and clung to Hazel on the dance floor, guarding himself from anyone who dared to approach.
“Dance with me,” Alex said. He held out his arms as he swung his hips, beckoning Hank to join him.
Much as he wanted to, Hank shook his head. There was no way he could dance with Alex without getting worked up in one way or another. The last thing he needed was for Alex to find out just how friendly he could be. Besides, Hank couldn’t dance to save his life.
