Page 127 of Divine Temptations

Henry gave a soft laugh, finally relaxing a little under her ministrations. Hannah’s chatter moved on, as it always did. “Did you hear about Beth?” she whispered, leaning closer. “Our cousin? She had a baby and refuses to say who the father is. It’s fucking scandalous.”

Henry raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a grin. “Sounds dramatic.”

“Dramatic doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Hannah said, rolling her eyes. “Anyway, tie’s perfect, Henry. You’re officially ready to steal my brother’s heart forever.”

Before I could respond, there was a polite knock at the door. “Come in!” I called.

Dr. Scheinbaum stepped through, chic as ever, carrying two carefully wrapped gifts. The scent of her perfume, somewhere between lavender and sandalwood, hit me instantly, and I felt a strange, happy flutter in my stomach.

“Congratulations, Noah,” she said, handing me a box wrapped in soft cream paper with a gold ribbon. “This one’s for you. Congratulations on being hired at Claremont, and yourstudents will love you. Your wedding present is waiting outside with the others.” I took the gift, feeling the weight of her pride in her careful, exacting way.

She turned to Henry, who had straightened, standing tall despite the last traces of nerves. “And Henry, this is for you,” she said, handing him a smaller, square package. “I hear you’ve just published your first novel—The Redeemed Heart. What a beautiful, brave story. Congratulations.”

Henry blinked, touched, and I could see his throat working against a lump. I squeezed his shoulder.

Dr. Scheinbaum smiled at the two of us, a mixture of pride and affection lighting her usually sharp features. “I just want you both to know how proud I am of you. Henry, you’ve found your voice, and Noah… well, you’ve found your person. Never let go of each other.”

Before we could respond, the door opened again and my mother bustled in, arms wide. “My boys! Look at you both! You’re gorgeous!” She fussed over Henry first, smoothing his sleeve, brushing a nonexistent speck from his lapel, then turning to me with the same intense warmth. “And you… my brilliant, stubborn boy. I can’t believe this day is finally here.”

Dr. Scheinbaum excused herself with a soft chuckle, kissing our cheeks before leaving.

Hannah grinned at our stunned faces. “Mom,” she said, her tone conspiratorial, “let’s give the boys a little privacy before the service starts.”

One by one, the room emptied—everyone giving us hugs, whispered congratulations, leaving Henry and me alone in the golden light of my childhood room. I looked at him and could hardly breathe from the sheer magnitude of the day.

Henry’s hand found mine again, fingers entwining, and his eyes shone with a mixture of nerves and something raw, bright,unwavering. “Noah,” he whispered, “I can’t believe we’re really doing this.”

I laughed softly, pressing my forehead to his. “Neither can I. But I can’t imagine standing here with anyone else. You’re my person, Henry. Always have been, always will be.”

I squeezed Henry’s hand a little tighter, leaning closer so our foreheads touched. “You know,” I murmured, “I don’t need a fancy ceremony. I don’t need flowers or music or a big audience. I just need you.”

Henry’s lips quivered into a small, nervous smile, his eyes glistening in the soft sunlight. “I know. I feel the same way.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “But,” I added, a teasing note in my voice, “my stubborn family insisted.”

Henry chuckled softly, leaning into me, and for a moment, the room was just us—warm, golden, suspended in time. Then a sharp, hesitant knock at the door broke the bubble.

Hannah poked her head inside, her expression half amused, half panicked. “Sorry to interrupt,” she said, “but… Henry—someone claiming to be your brother is here!”

Henry froze, pale as the sunlight streaming through the window. I turned to him, alarmed. “Your brother?” I asked softly.

Henry swallowed hard, his lips trembling. “I…”

Hannah gestured for him to follow her to the doorway, then ushered in a slightly younger man, whose nervous eyes immediately locked on Henry. It only took a second for recognition to dawn, and then Henry’s eyes filled with tears.

“Paul,” he whispered, voice shaking.

His brother crossed the room in a rush, arms open. Henry stumbled forward, and they collided in a tight embrace, Henry’s head resting against Paul’s shoulder. Paul murmured over and over, “I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry about our parents. But I wouldn’t miss this day for the world. I wouldn’t.”

I stood a few feet away, stunned and touched, as Henry finally pulled back slightly and wiped at his eyes. He looked at me, voice thick with emotion. “Noah, this is Paul. My brother.”

I extended my hand, and he took it, firm and warm. “I’m so grateful you’re here,” I said, meeting his gaze. “It means more than I can say.”

Paul smiled, a little misty-eyed himself, and gave Henry one last squeeze before heading toward the door. From the hallway, faint strains of wedding music drifted in, reminding us the ceremony was about to begin.

Henry turned back to me, eyes bright with unshed tears, and a wide, genuine smile spread across his face. “Noah… this is the happiest day of my life.”

I cupped his face in my hands, pressing my lips to his forehead, then down to his cheek, holding him close. “Mine too, Henry. Mine too.”

We stayed like that for a long, perfect moment, just holding each other, hearts pounding in tandem. Outside, the music swelled, the doors waiting to open, but in that room, I knew, without a shadow of doubt, that we’d spend the rest of our lives finding new ways to hold each other just like this—safe, warm, and unshakably in love.