Patrick noted that he hadn’t answered the question, and he looked troubled.
“Just been checking out my new place.”
“Round here?” asked Jason, his body language changed to intrigued.
“Yes. It’ll be closer to the office and give me some time to think about buying somewhere else.”
“Where’s that?” Patrick knew were Jason worked, but didn’t want to come across as creepy.
“Ten minutes that way,” he pointed. “How about you?”
“The same, just in the opposite direction.”
Jason worked on the other side of London Bridge, whereas Patrick crossed Tower Bridge. In terms of proximity in the city, it was less than five minutes, not that Patrick had timed it or anything.
“Where are you going now?”
“Oh . . . I just needed a walk, and I like to be by the water.”
“Are you okay, Jason?”
“Yeah, of course. Why are you asking?”
“Can I buy you a coffee?”
Jason looked surprised at the question. It was like he’d frozen. Something was definitely wrong with him, but Patrick knew instinctively not to push too much.
“Er . . . I don’t have a long time.”
“We’ll make it quick, then,” he said, smiling. “The coffee, that is.”
That made Jason laugh. He looked so much more beautiful when he gave a genuine smile. Not the false one he hid behind, but right now, when he was being his true self.
“Okay, do you know somewhere good round here?”
“I do. It’s this way,” he said, gesturing his hand in the direction he was travelling, which was opposite to the way Jason was going.
He looked hesitant for a second, and then nodded. They chatted about Sebastian and Charlie on their way to the independent coffee shop, which was tucked away from the tourist flow. It was wonderful to see Jason so animated and happy for his friend. Patrick felt the same way. Those two were perfect for each other, and it was amusing to see his confident friend act like a lovesick teenager around a man fifteen years younger than him. Patrick shouldn’t be getting ahead of himself, but the gods had given him an opportunity to talk to Jason without an audience, so he wasn’t going to waste it. He sent a text to Milo asking him to clear his diary for the next couple of hours. He didn’t know how long Jason had to spare, but Patrick would not be the one to cut this impromptu coffee date short.
“How did I not about know this place?” said Jason, in awe. “I’ve worked in the city for two years.”
“Technically, we’re not in the city.”
It was true. The City of London was a square mile, and one of its boundaries was the River Thames. They were on the south side now, which had some great places to eat and drink. It was Patrick’s preferred location to socialise after work, rather than in the hub of all the office buildings. Just by walking over a bridge it felt like you were in a different city.
This coffee shop had been here for the twenty years Patrick had worked in the area. It was a family-run business, and the moment he walked through the door they started making his order. Maria, who owned the place with her husband, raised an eyebrow and gave a smirk when she saw Jason. To be fair, they looked an odd pair. Jason was short, blond, and full of energy. Patrick resembled a younger FatherChristmas. He kept in good shape, but had become softer around the middle since George died. He had the beard with flecks of grey in it, and his hair had more salt than pepper these days. Patrick looked older than he was, and Jason looked younger. He wasn’t surprised Maria had given them one of her looks.
They took a seat in the corner. Patrick rarely sat down in here. He would often grab his coffee to go, even if he had to walk all the way down here from the office, which involved him passing at least two of every chain on the way. Living this close to Maria’s, he was going to become even more of a caffeine fiend than he was now. He wondered whether, if Jason liked the coffee, he’d come here as well. That would give them more opportunities to bump into each other.
“What’s got you all worked up, then, Jason?”
“You don’t mess about, do you?” he replied with a smile.
“I can tell something’s wrong.”
“Is that because you’re a daddy?” he said, his voice a whisper.
Jason using that word and fluttering his eyelashes gave Patrick an instant semi. The little fucker knew just what he was doing.
