“Now you’re just being a smartass.”
“Daniella used to want to match.”
“I’m not Daniella, and neither is he,” Callahan said.
“Thank God for that.” Sebastian finished off the rest of his drink. “All I’m saying is, make it easy for him for once.”
“What does that even mean?”
Sebastian’s lips pulled into a tight line and he shook his head. “How can you not know?”
“What?” He scoffed. “How canyouknow?”
“Just be a good boyfriend, Callahan.”
Callahan was quickly growing irritated, unamused with the implication of his best friend’s words that Callahan didn’t know or understand Jace—that he hadn’t been attentive or thoughtful. He bristled at the words and then fought himself from wondering if it was all true.
Had he been bad, uncaring, too self-absorbed? He’d been worrying that Jace was growing cold and distant, but had it been him? He’d been so wrapped up with work, trying to break free of the binds that had restrained him his entire life, maybe there was a sign or signal he’d missed.
“Are you stalking me?”
A voice he recognized but couldn’t place quickly rang out from behind him, and he turned around, finding Jace’s roommate Remington standing there. He wore a short sleeved, white button up, a pink and red seersucker bow tie, and a well-loved leather messenger bag over his shoulder, the flap barely closed.
“What?” Callahan stuttered.
“Not you,” Remington said, his stare skimming over Sebastian’s slumped shoulders on the other side of the table.
“It’s purely coincidence,” Sebastian said.
“That you’re half a block away from my roommate’s work?”
“Two blocks from my own.” Sebastian gestured behind them.
Remington narrowed his eyes.
“It’s good to see you again, Remington,” Sebastian said. “Will I get the pleasure again on Friday?”
Remington swallowed and hooked a finger under his collar, pulling it away from his neck. “Of course I’ll be at Jace’s event.”
“Lovely. I look forward to it.”
Remington righted himself and tipped his head to Callahan, then continued on his walk down the street.
“What was that about?” Callahan asked.
Sebastian shrugged, but his cheeks were flushed, and Callahan knew there was more to the story than he shared.
“I’m going to go.” Callahan pulled his wallet out of his pocket and dropped a bill on the table, more than enough to cover his share of drinks and lunch.
“Off so soon?” Sebastian flagged down the waitress again.
He checked his watch and returned his wallet to his pocket. “Jace should be off in an hour, and I’m going to take your advice.”
“Oh? Which part?”
“We’re going shopping.”
Sebastian grinned and pocketed Callahan’s money. “Then I’ll see you on Friday?”
