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

According to the radio, traffic on the freeway had slowed to a crawl due to all the construction. Luckily, Mitch knew the area well and took them on a series of surface streets and short-cuts bypassing the worst of it. They made it to the church with time to spare.


Adam scanned the parking lot and the side streets, hoping to see Josh’s car. Disappointment hit him hard, but it was still early. He climbed the steps and followed Mitch and Bertram into the church.


The sanctuary was furnished with oak pews, each covered with a forest-green velvet cushion. A choir loft with an enormous organ looked down on them, and on either side wall was a row of brilliant stained-glass windows Adam longed to examine up close.


He could see most of the guests had taken seats in the first few pews. Some were standing and chatting at the bottom of the three steps leading up to the altar.


Adam greeted them, accepting congratulations and avoiding questions about Josh’s whereabouts


Chapter 23