“We’re going out to dinner. Xavier booked us a reservation somewhere,” I reply.
“Would you like to join us?” Mark asks politely. I’m sure he’d love to grill them a little more about the show, but John shakes his head.
“No, I’m afraid it’s late for us oldies. I’m ready to head to bed.”
I roll my eyes, and Susie claps a hand over her mouth to hide her snicker.
“It’s been a pleasure meeting you both.” William shakes their hands and they take their leave as I usher Susie and Mark out of the circus tent.
“Come on, the car is waiting for us. The guys will meet us at the restaurant,” I tell them as I lead them to the waiting limo.
“Now which performers are your boyfriends? I know you said that Link, whom we met earlier, is the show doctor, but what about the other two?” Mark is like a kid in a candy store. He could not take his eyes away from the show the whole entire time.
“Caspian was the juggler in the first act,” I answer, and his eyes bug out.
“Do you think he will tell me how they change him into that costume so quickly?” he asks, and Susie snorts.
“Are you sure you want them to join us for dinner? Mark probably won’t stop harassing them the whole time.”
“I’m sure, and probably not,” I reply, and he pouts. It’s surprisingly cute. I like this new, open version of Mark. It’s like I’m getting to know him all over again, and I can see why Susie loves him. “They all sign NDAs. My grandpas believe if people knew how it was all done, it would spoil the magic.”
Mark sighs but nods. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“And the other boyfriend? I noticed you didn’t say what he did,” Susie presses, and I want to kick her, but she is asking the right questions as far as Mark knows.
“Xavier is part of special effects. He doesn’t appear in any of the acts unless it’s an emergency.” I think back to last night’s performance and how we managed to avoid a disaster with his quick actions. Thankfully Htaed was not brought out tonight.
The limo pulls up at the restaurant, and the three of us get out. The hostess welcomes us with a smile. “Hi, do you have a booking for tonight?”
“Yes we do, but I’m not sure if it’s been placed under Galaxy Circus or Xavier Colest,” I tell her, and her smile grows.
“Of course, right this way. Will the rest of the party be joining you still?” she asks, leading us to a table.
“Yes. The other three will be along soon. Can we get some drinks while we wait?” I inquire, and she hands us each a menu before placing one at the empty spots on the table.
“Of course, I’ll send someone over to take your order in a bit.”
We get our drinks, and Susie and Mark gush about the show. They had plans to do something else tomorrow night but beg me to let them come again, and of course I quickly agree. Having another night with my best friend is music to my ears, because I’m not ready for this to end yet.
The others arrive a short while later, and I introduce everyone. Susie doesn’t hide her impressed expression, and I can’t blame her. My men are rocking their sexy human glamours, and together, they look like they may be some of the cast fromMagic Mike. We get a lot of envious looks from men and women alike at other tables.
Dinner is fun, with Susie doing her best to make me blush with questions about our sex life. Mark and Link seem to click, and they spend ages talking about doctor stuff. In fact, all four of the guys get on famously. It’s like they have been friends for years, and I am so fucking grateful to my men for trying so hard for me.
After dinner we head back to the hotel suite for drinks and more conversation, but eventually we all need to go to bed. Susie and Mark want to do some sightseeing tomorrow.
Caspian heads to my room, and Link and Xavier are going to share the other room in the suite tonight, but before they can leave, I ask Mark to give me ten minutes with Susie, which he quickly agrees to before going into their room alone. I also ask Xavier to stay.
“It’s time,” I tell her when she looks at me quizzically, and her face falls.
“Yeah, okay. There’s no way I wouldn’t be able to tell Mark about any of this. He loved it so much, and he keeps talking about how you might have done it.” She gives me a big hug, holding me tight. “I hope one day Xavier will be able to give me all our memories back and Mark can know too.” I can hear the tears in her voice, and a lump sits in my throat. It’s so big I can’t answer her.
“How about I make you a deal. If you and Mark are still together the next time we come back to Earth, I will get permission from the Adams brothers for him to know, and then I can return your memories and make it so you can only talk to one another about it,” Xavier suggests, and my heart swells with love for the man. That was the perfect way to deal with my pain.
“Deal,” Susie says as we break apart and she wipes the tears from her eyes.
We take a seat, and I hold my best friend’s hand as Xavier removes all traces of alien information. Susie will still know I’m in a three-way relationship, minus the Saxon knowledge, and she will know the circus will be out of the States for the next few months, but nothing else other than they had a fabulous time.
I watch as her expression transforms from one of pure sadness to sympathy. Her eyes no longer hold that knowing glimmer in them as she looks at Xavier and me. My heart aches at the transformation, but we all know it’s for the best.
