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 nodded, pulled open the door, and went in.


Fading afternoon sunlight slanted through the row of windows on one wall. The front of the chapel was lit by two huge wrought-iron candelabra, each one holding at least a dozen burning candles


His mother was sitting in the front pew chatting with a fifty-something man he assumed must be the reverend. She didn’t look angry. In fact, she was wearing what might be called a “coquettish” smile. Really? Maybe he’d get through this without losing any vital organs after all. He cleared his throat to get their attention.


His mother looked up, and the smile vanished. She moved in a blur and was suddenly two inches in front of him, her hands clutching his shoulders. “Are you all right?” Her voice was a taut wire.


“I’m fine, Mom. I got delayed at the house, but I—”


The punch she landed on his upper arm was a good one. Damn. A really good one.


Chapter 28