Chapter 1

 

“Rhett, you don't have to be here. I'm sure you have more important things to do first thing on a Monday morning,” Darren said, with a sigh, as he packed papers from the desk in his study. It was only a week until the cabin reunion and he was a mess already.

His ex-co-worker just stood in the doorway, looking around for something to do. “I know, but you guys don't come back that often, so things are bound to be in a bit of a mess,” he admitted, no doubt eyeing the mass of magazines, books and papers that were sprawled across the room.

Darren flushed as he realised he was right; the apartment they kept in Briarwood, that Rhett looked after for them, was a mess. They'd come back for three weeks during the summer and left the place at a moment’s notice, after a hiccup with an Italian author. They'd had to rush back to the vineyard to meet with the author to clear up the issue, and it hadn't left them any time to clean this place. He refused to let Rhett do it, though he checked the mail frequently, so that no one noticed the apartment wasn't lived in ten months of the year.

“I know. And I'm sorry you have to deal with this,” he apologised, while grabbing his messenger bag from the chair. “But who cares? Yes, it's a mess. But I know where stuff is and that's all that matters. I will never ask you to actually try to wade through this for me, I promise. So shall we just get going?” he suggested, slinging his bag over his shoulder, while tucking the stack of papers under his arm.

Rhett sighed and picked up the house keys, so they could head out.

They were meeting with a potential writer who had submitted anonymously, but agreed to meet if their story was accepted. Darren was intrigued by the anonymity, but even more impressed by the level of skill in the written piece they'd submitted. So while Giovanni was visiting his mother, to arrange the beginning of a new charity, Darren was taking care of business with Rhett's help. He'd come on board as a freelance editor two years ago, just as they started up their company, and it had been a blessing.

Rhett's assistance left Darren free to learn Italian from Nonna and use that skill to translate their English authors into Italian. So far, the company was doing great, gaining new authors every few months and having their current authors, Lachlan included, gaining more and more recognition for their work.

“Oh, when we get to the car, I've got a letter for you. Myra sent it over,” Rhett explained, as they left the house and walked around the back to the parking lot.

Darren was intrigued and couldn't help but wonder what Myra wanted to tell him that she couldn't say over the phone. They talked at least once a week; more often when they were back in the country. Yet she'd said nothing of sending him something.

When they reached the car, he let Rhett drive so that he could open the letter. Inside, he was shocked to find a ridiculously large cheque and a note in Myra's beautiful handwriting.

 

Dearest Darren,

I hope all is well. I know you're busy, but there's something I'd like to do for Giovanni. Every year, since Giovanni turned fifteen, we have thrown a fundraiser for a local LGBT charity. The details are in the next file, which is a detailed list of what is required for the event. The enclosed cheque should cover all costs and any extra ideas you think may make the fundraiser extraordinary.

I am sorry to say that, ever since you both left the firm, Edgar has been a stubborn mule and refused to see the fundraiser into fruition. I've just been contacted by the charity to ask if there was any way we could help as they're dangerously close to closing their doors. Needless to say, had I known this or even thought to check on them, this wouldn't have happened.

I would like you to run the fundraiser this year. I think it would be a wonderful gift for Giovanni, to show him that there are still people who care about the things closest to his heart. Though I don't doubt that he's never mentioned this charitable side of his personality. He's far too humble for that. However, we only have four days until the anniversary of when they first opened and it would make a perfect celebration. It will be hard to get it organised in that time, but if anyone can manage it you can.

If there is anything else you would like to discuss or if you have objections to taking on this task, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I sincerely hope you are well and look forward to seeing you soon,

Mum.

 

All in all, it was a lovely letter. He folded it carefully and put it back into the envelope to show Giovanni later. He wanted to show him how much his mother loved and cared about him, though he'd wait until the fundraiser was over, so that it could still be a surprise.

Darren loved that Myra had shared such an important thing with him and that she trusted him to take on this immense task. It sounded like this fundraiser was Giovanni's brain child, or at least inspired by him, and it filled him with pride to step in and take over something that meant so much to him.

Grabbing his phone, he checked the time and dialled out to his boyfriend's mobile. Once answered, he spoke before Giovanni could. “Are you busy?”

“No, I just stepped out to give them a minute to talk without me. You know, financial stuff. Why?” he replied, a slight waver that said he'd return in five minutes tops, if he needed him.

Darren smiled and thought about how true it was that he'd come running, the minute he needed him. How many times had he proven that over the last two years? “Nothing is wrong,” he promised, right off the bat. “What happened when you were fifteen?”

There was a moment of silence on the other end, in which he hoped Giovanni was thinking it over. “The only thing I can think of is that I came out. My dad was screaming at me about not paying enough attention in school. So I yelled back and said that was hard to do when some hottie from the football team sat right in front of me.” He laughed as he talked, clearly enjoying the memory.

Darren couldn't help but wonder which part he enjoyed most; revealing he was gay during an argument or springing it on his dad in the least sensitive way. “But didn't he already know? I mean, you wrote all those stories,” he hinted, not sure how anyone could think Giovanni wasn't gay, after writing all of those gay love stories as a child.

Again, his boyfriend laughed. “Baby, you're amazing, but my dad never read those stories. He saw my name, logged them and sent me a rejection letter, telling me to wait until I was older,” he revealed. “I asked his old secretary, once. I told her I wanted to know what my dad didn't like about my stories and she told me he'd never read even one of them, so it wasn't the writing but my age that was the problem.”

That was disappointing.

He was beginning to realise that Giovanni might have a point about his father. He really didn't seem to have any tact at all when it came to his son. Things certainly hadn't improved over the last two years; their relationship was still strained, because Edgar refused to apologise for his stupidity. Despite Myra's help to try to talk sense into him, Edgar still insisted that he'd never had anything to do with Paolo switching Giovanni's medication. He claimed that he'd mentioned, off hand, that he wished he could be sure that Giovanni wasn't just making up his condition to get out of his responsibilities. A confession that only made Darren hate the idiotic man. It was Paolo, he insisted, who had taken him at his word, replacing his medication to see if it had any effect.

Boy had that backfired on them. Myra understood that his actions were unforgivable, so they avoided discussing it and kept their distance from Edgar whenever possible.

“Okay. I've got this meeting and some things to get done before you get back, then we're still on for dinner?” he checked, really loving the fact that saying things like that had become normal. Asking when Giovanni was going to be 'home', hearing 'I miss you' and all the other things that came with being in a committed relationship.

“Yup. I'll bring it back with me,” Giovanni promised, then swore. “Sorry, baby. Looks like I'm needed. I'll see you later.”

Then he was gone.

With a smile, he ended the call and leaned his head back against the head rest. He perused the 'to do' list that Myra had sent him:

 

balloons – classic, monochrome

table centrepieces

room decorations

invitations

find a theme

advertisement

arrange pre-event interviews with Myra or Giovanni, to discuss the aim of the fundraiser

 

Most of it was easy enough to arrange. Darren nodded and knew what he'd do with his day, after this meeting. He was going shopping. The purchases were easy and something he could do alone, without the need for input on what was appropriate or not. The theme, advertisement and interviews he would leave for when he could discuss them with Myra.

After all, he didn't have the first clue where to start, but a request or purchase of interview and ad space would always sound better coming from a woman well versed in dealing with organising charity events. “Rhett, I think we're going to have a very busy day,” he said, lifting his head to smile at his friend.

Rhett smiled back and shrugged. “Nothing we're not used to,” he admitted, with a chuckle. “Do we need to stop for supplies after the meeting? Anything urgent?” he asked, on the ball and ready to delve into whatever project came next, as always.

“Not yet. Later,” he promised, unable to help but smile as he watched his friend. “You know that I'd be a mess without you, right? I swear I'd never be able to do this alone, without forgetting something or losing half my shit all over that house.”

His partner in crime laughed and signalled for a turn. “Well, I'll admit that I didn't do it all alone. I hired that guy you recommended, Eddy. He's been helping me keep on top of things.”

Darren tried not to grin in delight, to see that his nefarious plan was working. Rhett had no idea that he'd decided to set them up on purpose. Eddy had been a good friend, despite his brief infatuation with Giovanni. He'd had enough classes with Jean and Jaime, after he and Giovanni left for Italy, that he'd become part of their little group. Eddy had even flown out to the vineyard a time or two, cementing their friendship. When he'd heard Eddy talking about being ready to settle down, six months ago, he'd immediately thought about Rhett. His ex-co-worker and friend threw himself into his work and never left himself time for a love life, so he'd thought getting them to work together would be the only, and ideal, way to get them to spend time together.

It seemed his plan had paid off.

“Well, I'm glad he's working out,” he said, clearing his throat to remove the amusement from his voice. “He's very sweet and feisty. When he said he needed a job, I just knew you'd be able to work well together,” he hinted, turning to watch Rhett for his reaction.

His neck flushed a little; just enough to tell Darren that he was right. There was a spark there, even if it was only early days. Anything was better than nothing, so he lay his head back and smiled, happy to have good news to share with Giovanni when they got home.