While celebrating the Supreme Court same-sex ruling, Josh hides his deep aversion to marriage. He lets his lover Adam believe they’ll eventually marry. But when his wedding-planner mother pushes him too hard to take that step, Josh declares in anger he won’t ever marry Adam.<br><br>Adam overhears and flees. Crushed at having been led on, he takes refuge at his old hangout. There he runs into his ex-boyfriend, who tries to take advantage of Adam’s vulnerability. Things go from bad to miserable, leaving Adam struggling to get through the worst night of his life.<br><br>Frantically searching for Adam, Josh is forced to accept he could lose him forever -- a prospect he just can’t face. Can he overcome his fears and propose marriage to save their love? That might work, but only if he can somehow convince Adam to trust him again.

I Do, I Don't

“Good. Then to hell with Mitch and Reggie and everybody who wants to tell us how we should live. We’ll get there on our own.”


Adam studied Josh’s face for a long moment. “Okay. I can wait.”


Josh suppressed his sigh of relief as he gathered Adam into a hug. “I love you, you know. Now I’ll let you get some sleep. While you’re working tomorrow, I’ll fix dinner. How about if I barbecue?”


“Sounds good. I’ll stop at Farrelli’s market on the way home and pick up ice cream for dessert. Rum raisin or peppermint stick?”


Adam chuckled. “Okay. Both it is.” He snuggled under the sheets and closed his eyes.


Josh clicked off the lamp on his side of the bed and settled in to sleep, relieved he’d smoothed everything over. At least for now. But sooner or later, he’d have to deal with Adam’s desire to be married. If his luck held, it would be later. Much later. 3


Chapter 3