The Confession

Congratulations, Mr. Cooper. It’s a boy!

The September day that had marked the birth of his son had been one of the happiest of his life. All too soon, it had become a scar on his soul.

His eyes stung. Seth swallowed. “That’s great. I’m happy for you.”

“You don’t have to bullshit me when I can see you’re struggling. I understand.” Hammer cupped his shoulder.

Seth jerked away. “I told you, I’m fine.”

Hammer held his stare for an uncomfortable moment, dissecting him without a word. Then he sighed. “Whatever you say. If you decide to be honest, you know where to find me.”

“Macen?” River called, knocking on the door.

Seth launched from his chair and yanked it open. “What?”

River recoiled. “Whoa, boss. Just came to tell my brother-in-law that the caterers are serving dinner and my sister wants him at the head table pronto.” He sent Hammer a grin. “It’s another photo op, too. I know how much you love those.”

Macen groaned. “Be right there. Fucking photographer…”

“Better you than me.”

“You’ll get your turn someday, you bastard.”

River’s grin turned cheesy. “But not today…”

Hammer flipped him the bird, which made River smile even more.

Then he was gone, and Macen turned the weight of his gaze back on Seth. “Anything you want to say?”

“No.”

He sighed and rose. “Then let’s go.”

Seth couldn’t get out of his office fast enough. He pocketed the keys and envelope Hammer had given him, donned a plastic smile, and rejoined the party.

Heavenly smiled when she caught sight of him and rushed over. “They’re about to serve dinner.”

“So I heard.” He dragged a knuckle down her soft cheek because he couldn’t help himself. What would he do if he couldn’t touch her this way anymore? Even the thought nearly destroyed him. “Guess we’d better find a table.”

“Beck already snagged one. Over there.” She pointed somewhere near the happy trio.

Beck waved.

“Let’s go.” Seth took her hand and led her across the room, trying to shove down his anger and compartmentalize his fear. Instead, he focused on Heavenly, on her love and warmth, her vivacity and charm. By the time they reached their seats, he was almost calm.

Heavenly sat beside Beck, who was grinning and talking to Zach and Liam’s sisters. Seth flanked her and half listened to the conversation about the ladies’ long flight from Ireland.

“I wish Maeve could have come with us,” Aisling said. “But she recently gave birth to a new bairn—”

“A boy this time,” Meg exclaimed. “She couldn’t bear to leave him—”

“Even for her baby brother’s celebration, the silly twit.” Caitlyn rolled her eyes.

Everyone else at the table spent the meal laughing and sharing stories. Seth watched for long minutes, smiling and nodding when the conversation called for it. Mostly, Liam’s and Hammer’s words dive-bombed his brain.

“You should have seen the look on her face when we found her at the zoo,” Beck chuckled as he told them all about their elaborate version of hide-and-seek with Heavenly.

“How did you find her so quickly?” Aisling asked.