Page 107 of Something Like Forever

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The rain broke halfwaythrough the wedding banquet. Texans knew their weather. Most of theguests were indoors before the first drops hit, but not everyoneran for shelter. The umbrellas over each table were large enough toprovide cover. Mostly. Rain splashed all around them and theirshoes and cuffs were slowly getting soaked, but Ben was enjoyinghimself too much to seek drier surroundings. Instead he scootedcloser to the table and the people he loved.

“Atleast it didn’t happen during the ceremony,” Williamsaid.

“Iwouldn’t have let that stop me,” Jason said from beside him, theirshoulders pressed together.

“Still, it’s kind of abummer,” Tim said, his arm around Ben’s waist. “We won’t be able todance if this weather keeps up. There’s no room inside.”

“Yeah, that is tragic,”Jason said, trying to hide a smirk and failing. Then he exchanged afist bump with Tim.

“Don’tworry,” Ben said. “We’ll all go out to a nightclub later so we candance. Right, William?”

“Sure!”his new son-in-law said, grinning bashfully back at him. “And ifthey don’t want to dance…”

“You’remarried now,” Jason said. “No more boogying with other boys. And ifyou really want to dance, I won’t let the rain stop me thereeither.”

“Or we could do presents!” Tim said,sounding anxious. “That’swaymore important than dancing! Beright back.”

They watched Tim dartthrough the rain to the patio. Most of the gifts had been rescuedduring the rush inside, but a transparent plastic tarp shielded theothers, Marcello’s waiters covering anything that needed saving.Tim returned with an armful of wrapped boxes. He chose a simpleenvelope first, handing it to Jason. “That’s from us,” hesaid.

“You guys have alreadygiven us so much,” Jason said, shaking his head.

“Then give it back,” Timsaid, lunging at the envelope.

Jason dodged backward. “Noway! It’s already got my name on it. Too late.”

“That just means theenvelope is yours,” Tim shot back.

Ben sighed and looked atWilliam. “Welcome to my life.”

“Couldbe worse,” William replied. When the table wobbled and a bottle ofbeer toppled over the edge, he managed to catch it just before ithit the ground. “Probably,” he added when setting it back on thetable.

“Okay,you two,” Ben said. “Let’s pretend to be civilized, at least untilthere aren’t any witnesses around.”

“We’re just having fun,”Tim said, ruffling Jason’s hair. “Go on, open it.”

Jason did, his smilereplaced by a scrunched-up nose. “I can’t read this. Hey, is thisyour gallery? The one in Japan?”

“Yup!” Tim said, noddingat the brochure. “I thought you would like to see it inperson.”

“Is this our honeymoon?”Jason asked, holding back his reaction until he wascertain.

“We saidwe’d take care of it,” Tim said. “You’ll love Tokyo. I know a greattour guide too. I’m sure you’ll want to be alone for most of thetrip but—” He was cut off when Jason hugged him around the neck.“Okay, no need for a sales pitch then.”

“I loveit!” Jason said. “Thank you!” Then he looked to William withlonging. “Do you think we could? Somehow?”

“Could what?” Benasked.

“You were nice enough toshare your honeymoon with us,” William explained. “We want to dothe same.” He addressed Jason. “And yes, of course we can. We’vegotten more than enough cash from my side of the familyalone.”

“You aren’t paying for ourtickets,” Ben protested.

“We don’t mind!” Williaminsisted. “It’s only fair.”

“It’s awaste of money,” Tim said. “I booked two extra flights when I madeyour reservations. They’re for the next day, just in case youdidn’t want us tagging along, but I bet I can still get us on thesame flight.”

Jason was laughing. “Youwere going to stalk us if we didn’t invite you along?”