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

He edged toward the door to the outside. “I think I’ll have a look at the gardens. And maybe a walk around the exterior of the church. I’ll be back in a little while.” Not wanting to give them the chance to reply or to offer to come with him, Adam dove for the door handle and made it outside. The brisk snap of the latch behind him was a mercy. He breathed deep and started along the garden path toward the edge of the property.


He made the circuit of the church and ended up on the wide front steps. Picking an out-of-the-way corner, he settled down on the gray sandstone to wait.


All week long, Josh had run himself ragged preparing to buy the house. He’d ditched work, spent hours on the phone, and haunted banks and credit unions. He’d fought his way through a forest’s worth of paperwork, begging for everything, promising anything. All to get the house Adam loved


Chapter 25