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

Josh’s chest tightened the whole way to the hospital. Must have inhaled some of the smoke. He sailed into a spot in visitor’s parking and ran for the emergency room.


It was chaos. The waiting room was jammed with the walking wounded fortunate enough not to need immediate treatment. Josh circulated through them, checking each soot-stained face for the one he loved. And he did love Adam with all his heart. The thought of finding him burned or broken had his gut twisting into knots. He should have gone out earlier and tracked him down. If he had, Adam would be home safe. Pissed off, but safe.


Josh finished checking everyone in the crowd. Adam wasn’t in the waiting room. And that meant he was undergoing treatment. He made his way to the reception desk and leaned over it to get the attention of the harried nurse processing forms, directing patients, and talking on the phone. “Excuse me? Excuse me, I need to know if Adam Langston was brought here.”


Chapter 11