Page 86 of Something Like Forever

“True,”Jason said, laughing at himself. “I guess what really needs tohappen is for me to finally give him my answer. Assuming the offerstill stands.”

Ben was about to reassurehim of the obvious: Of course William wanted to marry him! Theanticipation and uncertainty was all part of the magic though, sohe kept his opinion to himself. “When is this going to happenexactly? Do you know?”

“Tonight,” Jason said. “I’m going into town for some wine, andyou said you wanted to cook, so…”

“I’lltry not to burn anything,” Ben said. “And I’ll make sure to go easyon the onions and garlic. Do you plan on asking him duringdinner?”

“After,”Jason said. “That way he’s too sluggish to resist. I’ll ask him togo on a walk with me in the backyard, since that’s where heproposed. Um. That sounds stupid, doesn’t it?”

“Maybeask him to have a drink with you out there instead. So you canenjoy the evening weather together. That sounds morenatural.”

“Good idea!” Jason said.“Do you think we could have some privacy? I don’t want anywitnesses if I bomb.”

“Ofcourse! You’ll do fine.” Ben looked him over. Jason wasn’t a boyanymore, even though the father and son dynamic of theirrelationship made it feel that way. Jason was nearing the end ofhis twenties and had come into his own. He carried himself withconfidence these days and was handsomer than ever. William’s activelifestyle suited him well too. Jason didn’t have the same musclesas William did, but he wasn’t struggling with love handles either.“I noticed the new hairstyle. Now I know why. It looksgood!”

“Youthink so?” Jason reached up to hair that was still medium-lengthand messy on top, but closely trimmed on thesides.

“Veryhandsome. Brings out your cheekbones nicely.”

“Thanks.” Jason chewed hisbottom lip. “Do you think I should put on a suit fortonight?”

“Do you even own one? Ican’t imagine it being very useful for wildliferehabilitation.”

“Definitely not,” Jason said with a laugh. “Did I tell youthat someone brought in a skunk last week? Cutest thing in theworld. Just a baby. We’re not sure what happened to themother.”

“Can they spray when thatyoung?”

Jason sniffed one of hishands. “If you had asked me that yesterday, I’d have let you smellfor yourself. After nearly a week, I think it’s finally fadedcompletely.”

Ben was immensely proud ofall his son had accomplished. Jason was thriving in Oregon. Thecoffee shop job had lasted the better part of a year. While tryingto find another animal shelter to volunteer at, he had discovered awildlife rehabilitation clinic instead, and despite his lack offormal training, he was eventually offered a paid position. Now hewas taking classes while juggling work, but this was good too,since William was often busy or unavailable. Couples were happiestwhen they ran at the same pace, Ben felt. Figuratively. He had nointention of joining Tim on one of his nightly jogs.

“Just wear what you feelcomfortable in,” Ben said. “If all goes well tonight, it won’t beyour outfit that William remembers.”

They heard voices in thehallway. Jason leapt to his feet and opened the door so nothingappeared suspicious. Just before he did, he whispered. “Wish meluck!”

Ben did so, even though heknew Jason wouldn’t need it.

* * * * *

“Move over!” Bencomplained, shoving at Tim ineffectually.

“Youmove over,” Tim retorted, except when he shoved back, Ben toppledover.

“Nofair,” he whimpered, laughing as he grabbed the windowsill to pullhimself back up to his knees again.

They were in the guestroom and tipsy from the wine that had accompanied dinner. Outsidethe sun had already set, but just enough light remained that theycould see two figures in the backyard below. Jason and William hadsat on the patio, sipping from their glasses and talking. Then theyhad stood and toured the yard, not that there was much to see. Agrill, some trees, the patch of flowers where Samson was buried,and on the opposite side, Ben’s failed attempt at a water feature.That’s what he liked to call it, anyway. In truth it was a pile ofjagged stones covering a faucet that, when turned on, sprayed waterin multiple directions, none of them intentional.

“It’sgetting dark,” Tim said. “If they don’t hurry up we won’t be ableto see them anymore.”

“Wecould turn on the patio light,” Ben said. “Think that will kill themood?”

Tim grimaced. “What if weturn it on right when they’re getting serious?”

“Yeah,you’re right.” Ben ducked when the two figures turned to walktoward the house. The light was off in the guest room, so theyprobably couldn’t be seen, but he wasn’t taking any risks. “Thinkit’s happened already?”

“No,” Tim said.“Look!”

Jason and William hadstopped halfway across the yard. The exact spot where Ben and Timhad taken their vows and adopted Jason, and where William hadpopped the question four years ago. “We should erect a statuethere,” Ben said. “Or maybe a plaque.”