Pretenders (Firsts and Forever 3)

And that was how we ended up getting totally plastered with Wes’s famous and very down-to-earth grandfather.

We ended up closing out the bar. At one point, I snapped some photos of the three of us and some of our new friends, and posted them to social media. I made a point of tagging Wes and his grandfather, as a little fuck you to Jack and Warren. The unspoken message was, We’re having a great time, but enjoy your stuffy, uptight, rain-drenched wedding.

Finally, Georgie announced last call, and people started to filter out. Our little group had grown to about fifteen tourists and locals over the past few hours, and they all adored Wes, who’d been buying them drinks all night. Everyone had to stop by to thank him and give him a hug, and some wanted to keep in touch.

I watched as an older couple pulled out their phone, so they could friend him on social media. He was so kind and friendly. They told him he and I needed to come visit them in Ottawa, and that we’d love their gay grandson, and that their city had a wonderful Pride celebration every year. The pair went on and on, and he was infinitely patient with them.

Wes really was everything—sweet, and loving, and generous, and a million more wonderful things. As I watched him from across the bar, my heart felt so full. And when he looked for me, then met my gaze and smiled, I felt like the luckiest person in the world.

Davis came up to me and asked, “Have you told my grandson you love him yet?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Of course it is, son. It’s in your eyes every time you look at him. It’s in his, too. That boy is crazy about you.”

“I’m worried it’s too soon to tell him,” I admitted. “We’ve only been together a couple of weeks, and I don’t want to scare him away.”

“It’s not too soon. I told my wife I loved her three days after we met, and we were married four weeks later. When it’s right, it’s right. She passed just a few days before our twenty-ninth wedding anniversary, and she took a huge piece of my heart with her.”

“I’m so sorry, sir.”

“Call me Davis. It’s been decades, but I still miss her every day,” he said. “My point is, time is precious. I’m not saying you have to tell him tonight, obviously, but don’t wait too long. He deserves to know how you feel.”

“That’s good advice. Thank you.” I gave him a hug, emboldened by the alcohol, and murmured, “You’re so much more than I’d hoped for.”

“How so?”

“I knew you were famous and successful, but I didn’t know if you’d be kind. It turns out you are, and you obviously care about Wes. I’m so glad. He needs that. It breaks my heart that a lot of his family is cold and standoffish.” I thought about that, then added, “Sorry if that was offensive. I know they’re your family, too.”

“I appreciate your candor, and I know what they’re like. I suppose I haven’t been much better. I’ve always been obsessed with my work, and now that I’m retired I’m busier than ever. There’s so much still to do, and so few years left to accomplish it all. The unfortunate byproduct of that is rarely seeing my family. In fact, I’m almost a stranger to many of them.”

“There’s still time to turn that around,” I said. “Just look at what you’ve given Wes tonight. He’ll never forget this time with you.”

“It meant a lot to me, too.”

Wes joined us then and said, “I guess it’s time to go.” Georgie bustled over, crushed Wes in a hug, and thanked him. Then my little group of three headed out the door.

It had finally stopped raining, and the air smelled fresh. “What a great night,” I murmured.

It made me happy when Wes said, “It really was.”

Davis’s assistant had booked him a room at the same place we were staying. Once we were back at the hotel, Wes turned to his grandfather and said, “I’m not sure if we’ll see you in the morning, because we have an early flight. But I wanted to thank you for everything.”

“Nonsense,” Davis said. “You’re coming with me on my private jet tomorrow, and we can leave whenever we say so. I have a conference in Seattle first thing Monday, and I’ll drop you off in San Francisco. It’s on the way.”

“Thanks, Granddad,” Wes said. I loved the less formal name. “But are you sure it’s no trouble?”

“No trouble at all.” Davis glanced at his phone and said, “My assistant booked me into one of those little bungalows over the water. How delightful.” He was definitely a bit buzzed, and it suited him.

“We’re staying in one of those, too,” I said.