Page 43 of Second Chances in Cedarwood

“I found a cookbook all about gourmet hot dogs. You can display it in the restaurant for more decoration,” Henry said. “It’s silly, I suppose.”

“I like it. I’m not gourmet, but fancy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” Jack said. “I’m glad you’re home. I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.” He preferred home to traveling now. Home had Jack. “I need to stop by the condo and pick up my tuxedo.”

“I brought it over for you last night.”

“Thanks.” He’d forgotten he’d asked Jack to pick it up. “You’re too good to me.”

“And you’re too goodforme.” Jack exited the freeway. “I know it seemed strange, me being upset. I’m not wild about seeing you with someone else, but I realize how much I care about you.”

“Being gone made me realize I’m not me without you.”

“Then let’s celebrate that tonight,” Jack said. “We’re us and we’re happy.”

“I love it.” He preferred being home. He hadn’t seen the initial problem Jack had mentioned, or been there to fix it, but he didn’t mind. He had Jack and they had a future together.

He had his man, and tonight, they’d be going out on the town—together.

Chapter Eleven

An hour and a half later, Henry adjusted his vest and grimaced at his reflection in the mirror. He hadn’t worn his tuxedo in years and the thing fit better. He liked the trimmer version of himself, but he wished he could get his damn vest to lie flat. It looked ridiculous bunched up, but he’d lost weight since he’d worn it last.

“Ready?” Jack strode into the bedroom. “Damn. Everyone will be jealous.”

“Why?” He smoothed out the vest again. “Because I’ve got the best-looking date?” He threaded his arms around Jack. The man filled out his tuxedo well.

“No, I do.” Jack laughed. “And we’ll be the hottest pair at the dinner.”

“We will.” He loved how Jack had lightened up. Jack was still stressed from time to time, but he seemed to be managing it better. Maybe it was the runs they went on together or the extra sex they’d had in the shower. He didn’t know and didn’t care.

“Let’s go.” Jack escorted him to the garage. “Some of the couples arranged for limos.”

“For a dinner?”

Jack shrugged. “I guess. You’ve got to live with my car.”

“Don’t need a limo.” Henry settled beside him on the front seat. “I’m impressed Colin and Farin got the Chamber of Commerce situation sorted out so quickly. I thought it was a mess.”

“It was.” Jack backed out of the garage. “But when the new mayor stepped in, things got defrayed rather fast. Then again, the old mayor was too busy screwing his girlfriend to pay attention to finances. This one seems to care.”

“True.” Henry saw little of the scenery as Jack drove to the event center. He’d only gone past the place and had no idea what the ballroom would look like. “Have you ever been to this banquet hall?”

“I have.” Jack flexed his fingers on the steering wheel. “A friend had their reception there. It’s nice. Plush. The owners dumped a lot of cash into it.”

“I see.” He spotted the building. “It looks like a castle.”

“Inside and out. There’s a huge chandelier inside that dips way down above the dancefloor. Don’t ask me how many crystals are in it,” Jack said and parked. “Too many.”

He’d visited some fantastic places, a few real castles and been in the company of royalty, but none of those times compared to this. His nerves frayed. He wanted to make Jack happy. His stomach lurched. He also wanted to tell him how he felt.

He walked into the banquet hall. Colin, Jordan, Farin, Steve, Colt and Ashley were there, among others. Jordan grinned and nodded.

“What’s Jordan smiling like a fool for?” Henry asked. “He keeps looking at you.”

“He helped me out.” Jack lowered his voice. “He was handy when Ray showed up and helped me get rid of him.”

“We should thank him,” Henry said, but Jack grabbed his arm. “What?”

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