“But let’s make a deal,” he proposes. I perk my head up to listen. “Let’s see each other at least once this summer if we can. Fuck it, I’ll come to you if I have to.”
My brows lift in surprise. “What? Really?”
“Aye, you’re my best friend, Colin. I don’t want to spend a whole three months without you.”
“You called me Colin,” I reply with a laugh.
“Because I’m serious, you daft prick. Do we have a deal or not?”
I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face as he shakes me by the shoulder. For a bloke who’s in love with his best friend, I really shouldn’t be so enamored by hearing him call me hisbestfriend, but I am. And not only that, but he wants to see me over the holiday. This whole time, I was afraid this friendship was one-sided, but it’s not. He’s going to miss me, and that sentiment is enough to get me through until we see each other again.
“Fine,” I say, feeling a whole lot lighter than I did a moment ago. “Deal.”
“Good.” He stubs out his cigarette and throws it in the bin. “Then, we’ll get drunk tonight, and after tomorrow, we only have to wait a month before we’ll see each other again.”
He flings an arm over my shoulder as we make our way out of the courtyard and down the road toward town. And suddenly, I’m not feeling quite as depressed as I was a moment ago. Declan Barclay made me a promise, and I know he would never let me down.
Chapter Seven
Declan
Six days until the wedding
The cold scotch smolders my taste buds before sliding down my throat, burning its way to my stomach. There’s comfort in the heat, as if it could turn these feelings to ash. Exterminate this sickening jealousy in my bloodstream.
Across the table from me, Pierce Michael Hall, as he’s referred to in his movie credits, sits with his arm around the back of Colin’s chair, talking incessantly about anything he can. He hasn’t shut up for the last fifteen minutes.
I hold up my glass to signal to one of the staff members that I need a refill. I probably shouldn’t be getting drunk on the job, but I can’t possibly get through this sober.
While Pierce, whatever his name is, drones on and on, I watch Colin. Is he really going to marry this guy? Does he love him? Does he act the same way with him that he did with me?
“How did you two meet?” I ask, interrupting the American. He doesn’t seem bothered as he places a hand on Colin’s leg and gives him a smarmy, insincere smile. Colin can’t be serious about this guy.
“On set, of course,” he replies, and it takes me a moment to realize that’s where I know him from. Colin’s WWII film last summer. I almost didn’t recognize Pierce, because in the film, his hair was buzzed short and hidden beneath a Gestapo uniform. Colin’s part was much more prominent and far better acted, if I say so myself.
“Oh yes, of course,” I reply mockingly. Turning my attention to Colin, I watch his expression. He’s tense and uncomfortable, although he wears a warm smile. His knuckles are white as he grips his glass, and his throat moves ever so slightly as he swallows.
“I pursued him,” Pierce says softly as he gently strokes a strand of hair behind Colin’s ear. “Wouldn’t stop asking him out until he finally said yes.”
“I said yes right away,” Colin replies with his soft gaze on the half-eaten plate in front of him. “Who would say no to you?” He mumbles that last part, almost so quietly I don’t hear it. Something about it puts me on edge.
Then, just as I’m about to respond, Pierce steals control of the conversation again.
“So tell me,” he says. “What was Colin like in college?”
I stare across the table at the actor, noting the cool, deep, authoritative tone of his voice. His subtle arrogance. His calm pretentiousness.
He is definitely dominant with Colin. My molars grind at the thought.
My gaze drifts over to the blond man to his left. Colin stares back at me, and I wonder if he’s reminiscing about the same memories I am. The ones I probably shouldn’t include in my stories at this table.
“I had never met someone so innocent,” I say with a smirk.
“Colin?” Pierce asks, like he doesn’t believe me.
“Aye.”
“My Colin, innocent in college?” Pierce says, smiling at his fiancé and kissing him on the cheek.
