Page 23 of Once Upon An Ever After
It was the truth. One he hadn’t been able to put into words until now. He had known that being with Dawson would change his life forever but he hadn’t honestly known just how good they would be together. And they were good, better than good even. They were perfect.
A lot may have changed in the last year but the two of them really hadn’t.
They were still friends, best friends, only now their connection was even deeper and more meaningful. They slept together nearly every night. They touched and kissed and learned new ways to make each other fall apart and then they cuddled and held one another and talked for long hours on end. When they went out now they held hands but the core of their relationship was the same as it had always been. Friendship that had grown and evolved into a love that neither of them could keep at bay any longer.
It was the best relationship Beau had ever been in and he never wanted it to end.
“Speaking of happiness.” Felix grinned and Beau followed his gaze to the door in time to see Gibson Frost walking towards them. “There’s my life-changing husband now.”
Gibson offered his new husband a small, intimate smile and exchanged a brief kiss with him. It was the most openly affectionate that Gibson ever got in public. The man wasn’t exactly known for his soft heart and outgoing demeanor. By the time he released Felix he was back to the stern-faced, serious eyed CEO that Beau knew him to be.
He gave a curt nod, “Beau.”
“Gibson.” He returned the greeting.
“Have you seen the paper this morning?
Beau frowned, surprised by the question nearly as much as the fact Gibson had posed it to him and not to Felix. He noticed for the first time that Gibson held a newspaper in his hand. A cold slice of dread slid down his spine and he shook his head even as Felix answered for him.
“You know we mere mortals don’t actually read newspapers anymore, right, babe?”
Gibson’s lips twitched but didn’t curve into a smile, “I’m sure it’s online as well.”
“What is it?” Beau asked cautiously. “What’s in the paper?”
“You.” Gibson held his hand out, offering Beau the crumbled newsprint, “Well, you and Dawson to be more specific.”
Beau took the paper, his stomach already sinking. He barely heard Gibson when he told him to look at page six. He was already flipping through the pages to find out what was being said about him, and about Dawson. When he found it, his throat tightened and anger at having his privacy invaded began to boil in his veins.
Right there in black and white were photos of him and Dawson together, caught in sweet, simple moments of intimacy. In one photo they were holding hands as they walked down the sidewalk. In another they were paused at a crosswalk, their bodies pressed together as they laughed, eyes locked on one another and the rest of the world was a blur of movement. In the third and final photo they were leaning against the side of Dawson’s Audi, the photographer having caught the quick but heated kiss Dawson had given Beau before opening the door to let him in like the gentleman that he was.
All of the photos had been taken on the same night. Beau remembered it because it had only been a few days ago that he and Dawson had gone out to dinner and a movie. He hadn’t given a thought to the idea that someone might be watching them, following them even, but seeing these images made his stomach turn because it was a reminder that this was the kind of thing that the Frost family dealt with all the time. It was the reason Dawson was always so careful about displaying his emotions when he was in public, why he was so reserved. But he hadn’t been cautious that night because he’d been drunk on new love just like Beau and this was the result.
He swallowed past the knot in his throat. Dawson was going to hate this even more than he did. Dawson. He glanced up quickly, not even bothering to read what constituted a story to go along with the pictures. He found Gibson watching him with worried eyes and shoved the paper back at him.
“Has Dawson seen this yet?”
“I don’t know. I came straight here when I got to the office. I haven’t been upstairs yet.”
“I need to…” He started to turn to Felix but his friend was already waving him off.
“Go. It’s fine. I can finish the room. Go.”
Beau nodded and rushed past the couple. He could only imagine what Dawson was thinking right now if he had seen that newspaper. Dawson hated having his life scrutinized by the public. He hated that he never had anything that was his and only his because someone somewhere was always lurking with a camera ready to report on whatever the billionaire Frost family was up to. He assumed that when he ran off the elevator and into Dawson’s office that he would find him angry or freaking out, worried or panicked over having their very new relationship splashed all over town and gossiped about. Which was why he came to an abrupt halt when he saw Dawson calmly sitting at his desk working.
Dawson glanced up and a smile instantly grew up his face, “Hey.”
“Hey.” Beau took a gulp of air as Dawson pushed up from his chair and came around his desk.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you but this is a nice surprise.” Dawson moved towards him, wrapping his arms around his waist and giving him a soft, chaste kiss before pulling back, his eyebrows pinching worriedly. “What’s wrong?”
“I… we…” Beau fumbled for words and shook his head, “Have you seen the news this morning?”
“Um, yes?” Dawson nodded. “The Dow is down three points. The Legends won last night. And Mayor Henry Lord announced he’s going to run for Senate. I think he has a good chance but…”
“Page six.” Beau cut him off with a huff. “We made page six.”
“Oh. That.” Dawson blinked, “Yeah. I saw that too.”
