The following January
“I DIDN’T really need a new tuxedo,” Beau said as he struggled to fix his bow tie.
Dante stepped up behind him, and Beau’s pants tightened just from his proximity. “Yes, you did. The one you had was at the end of its life.” Dante reached around and efficiently tied the tie. “There you are. You’ll be a wonderfully perfect host for tonight.” Dante leaned closer to kiss his cheek.
“I wish I didn’t have to.”
“I know. But think about how perfect the new center is going to be.” Dante turned him so he could look at him. “You’ve done an incredible job getting the new center designed and the city to use the insurance money to build it.”
Beau scoffed lightly. “You put pressure on the mayor and didn’t let him back out.” Sometimes the Beast came out when needed.
“I still don’t like that slimy bastard, but he did give the Center a long-term commitment on the space, so I’m letting the good people of St. Giles decide about him in the next election.” Dante turned to the bed to pick up both black coats and hand Beau his. “Now we’re raising money so the Center can be outfitted the way you want.”
The ruins of the old Community Center had been torn down, and Beau had worked with the town to approve plans for the new structure. The shell of the building had been erected just in time for winter, and now interior work was well underway.
“I’m still hoping to bring in a psychiatrist so we can offer full medical facilities.” Beau shrugged on his coat.
“Don’t you worry. If you find someone, we’ll work out an arrangement with the Foundation.” Dante had already told him that so many times, but Beau wanted the Center to be self-sufficient. “And I know what you’re thinking.”
“You do, huh?” Beau grinned. “Fine. I’ll accept your help as long as it’s temporary.” He melded his body to Dante’s. “I never could say no to you, and you know it.”
“Darn right.” Dante grinned, his smile radiant. “Now, let’s go downstairs and make sure everything is ready for company.”
The tickets to the benefit had sold out in record time once Beau had announced it was being held at Bartholomew Manor. Beau hated the name and thought it belonged in the Batman movies. Still, everyone had wanted tickets. Dante had taken some convincing, but Beau had sold it on the fact that Dante needed to be seen, and opening his home, their home, for the benefit would help dispel more of the rumors.
“I really think we’d have been better off to have held this at a larger location.”
“After this benefit, everyone will be talking about what a good host you are and how welcoming you were to everyone. They will not be talking about the Beast.” Beau had made it his mission to dispel those rumors. They were firmly entrenched, but he and Dante were doing their best to give the people of St. Giles something else to talk about. Like the fact that they loved to walk through town, holding hands. Beau had figured if they were talking about how much they cared for each other, few people would have time for stories of the Beast. And it seemed to be working.
“All right. Let’s go. Though I doubt there’s anything to do. Between Harriet and Roberts, they’ll have everything marshalled and set to go, I’m sure.” Dante checked himself in the mirror, and Beau did the same. “You do look amazing.” Dante stood behind him and leaned in close. “Though I can’t wait to get you out of these clothes and into those sheets over there. That’s where you always look best.”
“Dante,” Beau whispered, blushing hard, but pressed closer to Dante anyway. Sometimes he still found it hard to believe how Dante saw him, but Dante showed him all the time. Hell, he even sent him flowers he wasn’t allergic to, and most days Beau worked from Dante’s office because of the limited space in the Center’s temporary location. But a flower delivery truck would show up anyway, just because Dante wanted him to feel special.
“Let’s get downstairs now or we aren’t going to leave this room.” Dante hugged him closer, and Beau chuckled, knowing Dante was right. He stepped away and opened the bedroom door. Beau took Dante’s hand, and they descended the stairs.
In preparation for the benefit, Beau had had the woodwork in the hall cleaned and the marble floors polished. They reached the main floor and went into the living room. Everything had been cleaned, polished, and buffed to within an inch of its life. Paintings had been cleaned and rehung, the chandeliers lowered and polished. The large dining room sparkled and glittered, set with canapes and small bite-sized morsels that Harriet had outdone herself with. The solarium was being readied as well, with a burst of greenery, indoor floral color of every variety, and fairy lights, and was serving as the bar for the evening.
The biggest change was in the ballroom, and as Beau stepped inside, he couldn’t stifle his gasp. The chandeliers had been uncovered, as had the furniture. The Cabernet curtains, which had been taken down, cleaned, and rehung, were pulled back to show off the yard with fairy lights hanging in the trees. A platform had been set up at one end of the room, where the small orchestra would be performing.
“It’s like the house has come back to life.”
Dante squeezed his hand. “It has. You brought it back, just like you did for me.”
“Is everything satisfactory?” Roberts asked, and Beau turned to him with a grin.
“This is stunning.” He couldn’t help trailing his gaze to the ceiling, with its mural and intricate plaster moldings. “Thank you for doing all this.”
“It was my pleasure.” Roberts hurried over to where the musicians were setting up, and Beau took Dante’s hand once again to lead him toward the living room to sit until the guests arrived.
TWO HOURS later, the house was filled with guests talking and laughing, music flowing in from the ballroom to every other space, wrapping itself around Beau as he drank the last of his sparkling wine.
“Don’t be nervous,” Dante told him.
“I’m fine.” Beau squeezed Dante’s hand and stepped onto the small raised stage as the music faded, and he was handed a microphone by the leader. “Thank you all so much for coming.”
The room burst into applause as Beau smiled, looking out at the sea of happy faces.
“As you know, we’re in the process of rebuilding the Community Center, but I want to take a moment to thank the St. Giles Community Church for donating the use of their amazing facilities for us until we can move into our finished building.”
There was applause again, and Beau waited for it to die down.
“Thank you. Tonight I have the privilege of unveiling the final interior plans for our new center.” He looked at Dante and smiled, watching him as Roberts brought up the covered easel. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my delight to give you the first look at the Allison Bartholomew Community Mental Health Center.” Beau pulled back the covering so everyone could see the drawing of the front elevation for the new building. Applause filled the room, and Beau grinned, meeting Dante’s dancing eyes. “Please, everyone, have a wonderful evening, and thank you for your support. It means so much to Dante and myself, as well as the entire community.” He stepped off the dais and right into Dante’s arms. Beau turned, and the orchestra started playing. “I need to check on—”
“Roberts has everything under control.” Dante took Beau’s hands, staring deeply into his eyes. “You’ve filled my life with happiness and love, and I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t met you.”
Beau blinked away the threatening tears of joy. “You make me happy too, and damn it all, I love you with everything I have.”
The music died away, and Beau realized he and Dante were in the middle of the dance floor, the room growing quiet.
Dante met his gaze and then slowly lowered himself onto one knee. “Beau,” Dante began as Beau’s mouth went completely dry, “every Beast has to have his Beauty, and I’d like to ask you to be mine for the rest of our lives.” Dante reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. Soft gasps rippled through the room, but Beau barely heard them. All his attention was on Dante and the way his eyes sparkled and his lips curled into a smile warm enough to melt the polar ice caps. “Will you marry me and be my husband, partner, lover, and best friend?”
Beau opened his mouth, but nothing came out at first. Then he nodded deliberately. “Yes.”
Dante slid a platinum and diamond ring onto Beau’s finger and stood to tug him into a kiss that threatened to deepen by the millisecond. Thankfully Dante pulled away, and Beau blinked a few times. “God, I love you.” Dante signaled, and the music started up. “Waltz with me.”
Beau smiled, and he and Dante took their first steps in the dance and in the rest of their lives together.