Ah, he’s thinking about the man in the kitchen, with the ring of commitment on his finger. The one who told us to go ahead and get started.
“David’s really something,” Barnaby says when my eyes flit to the door. “He had so many options to pick from for a birthday present. Hell, he could have got me another Labubu, ora new pair of brogues, or even a trip to Weston Super Mare for some fish and chips on the pier. All of them would have been incredible.” His eyes land on me, and he sighs. “But out of all of the amazing things he could have chosen, he chose you. I’ve been joking about this fantasy for nearly a decade.”
I know I shouldn’t ask questions, but I can’t help myself.
“How long have you been together?”
“Fourteen years.”
“Wow! When did you get married?”
“Six years ago.” His face lights up as he smiles. “He proposed next to the Chesterfield on the night we moved in.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“I’m sure you know how beautiful you are,” Barnaby continues, “but I’ll reinforce the obvious. You’re a beautiful woman. David couldn’t have picked better, Lucy or not.”
“Thank you. I’m pretty sure he picked me because of Lucy, though.”
He sits beside me and runs a hand up my thigh.
“I found some pictures in an old box of moving stuff when we first got a place together. A couple of framed ones of me and Lucy. I told him how crazy I was about her. Past tense.”
“I love how he sought out the doppelganger of someone you had such a mega connection with. That’s security, right there.”
“I know. It goes both ways. We have it lucky, both of us.” He pauses. “Which is why I don’t want toget the party startedwithout him. There is no party for me without David.”
The adoration in his eyes makes me smile.
He laughs and gestures to the doorway.
“He thinks we’ll be at it like rabbits in here. Me reliving my filthy fun times with Lucy. But no. I want to share every second of it with him.”
“That’s beautiful.”
He nods. “Yep. I’m a lucky sod. So, best get the bugger in here since the clock is ticking. HEY, DAVID, GET IN HERE WITH THE CHAMPERS, WILL YOU?”
David appears in the doorway, champagne and glasses in hand. He looks over at the pair of us sitting together on the bed, and raises his eyebrows.
“Talk about taking it slow.”
Barnaby grins at him. “We’re not taking it anywhere without you, Mr Harrison. Crack open the fizz and let’s get going.”
David opens the champagne, popping the cork into the air before he pours us all a glass.
“To the birthday boy,” he toasts and I join him in a cheer.
When the two of them lock eyes, and share a look of utter adoration, I get a lurch in my stomach. Not of champagne, or nerves, or needing a good fucking. This one is different. It’s deep.
It’s looking at two men in love with each other, and being a part of that love along with them. Sharing in times that really mean something, with such respect and no insecurity. Nothing but trust and need.
Heath.
Heath and Josh.
No!
I can’t go there. Not here and not now. Not as Holly.
