“Why not?”
“He left before I woke up.”
“Brewer’s droop?”
“Excuse me? I fucked him three times.”
The server appeared at that exact moment, and it took all of Patrick’s restraint not to crack up laughing. Sebastian was blushing, which was rare. He could probably count on one hand the number of times he’d seen his friend blush in almost four decades. The server finally left, and Patrick could let out the laugh he’d been holding.
“It’s not funny.”
“Oh, it is. I’ve known you thirty-seven years and never seen you this flustered. You really like this guy, don’t you?”
“Yeah. I know it’s stupid after one night, but I’ve never had that instant connection with anyone.”
“Even ‘he who must not be named?’”
Sebastian smiled. It was an agreement they had, to not talk about Sebastian’s abusive ex. Patrick believed he still didn’t know the full story.
“Honestly, I don’t think I ever felt this way about him.”
“Fuck. Have you told Bex?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, she’d be out buying a hat. What am I supposed to do?”
Patrick couldn’t help but smile. This is what he wanted for his friend. In all of these years, he had never seen him gushing like this over anyone. It was cute, if that was what you could say about a guy who was six feet five and built like a brick shithouse.
“I know better than anyone that you can’t ignore it. Tell me about him. You can leave out the ‘three times’ part, though. I can fill in the gaps myself when I’m alone later.”
“You’re an arsehole!”
Patrick encouraged Sebastian to tell him all about his night with the guy who had clearly come down in a lightning bolt from the gods. He was certain he was witnessing love at first sight here – he’d felt it himself when he’d first met George. They’d been married within six months of meeting.
They enjoyed their lunch, and he let Sebastian keep gushing over Charlie. It was lovely to see. He’d experienced that feeling, and thought everyone should have one great love in their life. Patrick had experienced his, and it had ended far too soon, but he wouldn’t trade anything for those ten years with George. If there was a possibility Sebastian could have that as well, he needed to give his friend a nudge in the right direction.
“What time is your flight tomorrow?” asked Patrick.
“Midday, why?”
“Let’s go out tonight, to the bar where you met Charlie.”
“Why? You hate going into Soho.”
“This is too important to leave to chance. Tip the odds in your favour. He might be there again tonight.”
“What if he tells me to fuck off?”
“At least you’ll know. Come on, I’m offering to go to Sohowith you. Take the opportunity to experience this momentous event.”
“Fine, let’s do it.”
Patrick remembered why he didn’t do nights out in Soho anymore. He felt old, although he got a lot of lingering looks from twinks, but they were just looking for a night with an older man who knew what he was doing. None of them gave off aboyvibe – not that he was looking for another one. George had been it for him. He could never imagine himself with someone else.
Sebastian was getting frustrated, doing laps of the club trying to spot Charlie. Patrick could see his friend deflate the more time went by. After seeing his friend become more dejected, he agreed they should call it a night, but they headed to the VIP lounge to have one last drink before they went their separate ways. Patrick had booked a hotel for the evening, though not the ridiculously expensive one Sebastian used. He was comfortable, but didn’t have a bottomless pit of money like his friend did.
“If it’s meant to be, you’ll see him again.” Patrick wanted to say something reassuring.
“I need to just put it down to a great night and leave it at that.”
