Page 84 of Need Him
Andy bit his lip, and Ben knew exactly how he felt. “No, it’s okay.” He inhaled. “I can do this,” he said, more to himself than anyone.
“You can do this, Andy. I have faith in you. I’d really like to get to know you,” Scott said.
Andy’s cheeks reddened, and he dropped his head. Scott’s hand lifted as he was going to reach for him, but he pulled back at the last second. As much as Ben would’ve loved to see Scott help Andy, he knew it was too soon.
“I’m going to the main desk. You know where you registered when you came in?” He waited for Andy to nod. “If you need anything, find me there, and if I’m not there, Lindsay will help.”
“Thank you, Ben.”
“Lastly, don’t leave without saying goodbye. I want your phone number before you go.” He winked.
Andy chuckled and bit his lip again. “I won’t.”
Ben glanced at Scott, whose focus was on Andy, which Ben believed it should be. He patted Andy’s shoulder and left them to it, hoping fate did its thing for those two. If not, Ben would pick up the pieces.
“All sorted?”
Gareth’s voice made him jump, and he backhanded his chest. “Don’t do that!”
Gareth laughed. “Sorry.” He slid his arms around him.
“Yes, they’re talking. We’ll see what happens.” He rested his head against Gareth’s shoulder. “How is everything else going?”
“Fine. Some Daddies and boys are pairing off, but only time will tell.”
“I’m glad we did this. Even if we help just one couple, I’ll be happy.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. Toby and Ollie are still going strong. There’s your one couple.”
Ben sighed, a smile on his face. “True. If only everyone else was that easy.”
Gareth snorted. “Nice try, sweetheart. Nothing is ever that easy.” He kissed Ben’s head. “Let’s get something to eat.”
“Lead the way.”
“I always will.”
****
Three months later
Gareth
Gareth stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie. Everyone kept asking him if he was nervous, but why should he be? Today was the day he was marrying the man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. What was nerve-wracking about that? He knew Ben loved him, and barring any incidents, nothing would stop them from tying the knot.
Preston came into the room with two takeaway cups. Hopefully, Gareth’s held tea and not the sludge-type coffee Preston drank sometimes.
“Here we go. Caffeine for the groom.” Preston rolled his eyes. “Yes, it’s tea.”
Gareth accepted the cup and sipped it. He’d been told he wasn’t allowed to sit down because it would crease his clothes, and he paced instead. Again, not because he was nervous, but because he wanted to get out there and get it done.
When Gareth had first asked Ben to marry him last Christmas, he hadn’t expected Ben to want to seal the deal as quickly as he had. When he’d broached the subject of why Ben wanted to get married so fast, he’d made Ben cry. His boy had thought Gareth didn’t want him, despite his words and actions to the contrary. Finally, Gareth smacked his ass and told him to listen, explaining exactly what he meant by that. Ben had reassured him that he wanted to be Gareth’s—as soon as possible—for no other reason than he wanted to be his.
And that was that. The next day, they began arranging things for the September wedding Ben wanted. Why so long when Ben wanted to get married quickly? His boy had a few ideas of how he wanted to celebrate, and those took time to organise.
But they were finally at the last hurdle. All he needed to do now was wait. Patience, as he so often told his boy.
“From what Victor told me, everything is nearly set up. By the time you finish your tea, we should be good to go,” Preston said.
