“That was the plan two years ago.”
“Two years ago?”
“Yup. Me and Cheryl hang out most Sundays and I was sick of reading between the lines and realising she’d come straight to mine after getting drilled by some insurance executive. I thought if I was hooking up, she’d work it out and get jealous too.”
“Oh dear…”
“Yeah, it wasn’t a smart move.”
“Did you at least have fun?”
“Not enough for how awkward it gets on the apps. And Cheryl didn’t give a fuck.”
Beth put a hand to her mouth. “Shit. Sorry. I’ve been there. I had a crush on this guy at work and I tried to make him jealous by hooking up with his best mate.”
“Did it work?”
“He got my name wrong in an email a week later.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah, he still thinks I’m called ‘Bianca.’” Beth shuddered. “Dark times. So, what about going for something more serious? Getting a girlfriend?”
“Everyone I’ve dated has, uh, hated the way I am with Cheryl. They usually do the ‘me or her’ thing.”
“And you choose her?”
Patrick raised his empty glass in a mock toast.
“Hmm,” Beth looked him right in the eyes. “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
Patrick choked on nothing. “I don’t… I mean, that’s crazy. You can’t love someone if…”
Again, Beth’s clear brown eyes made it impossible to lie.
“Yeah. I just hoped I was hiding it. Making it look like a dumb crush.”
“You’re not,” Beth said. “Everyone knows. Everyone except Cheryl.”
“Shit…”
A waiter passed a tray of Aperol Spritz in front of them and Patrick ditched his empty glass and took two. If ever there was a time for double parking, it was now. He downed the first, wondering what he’d done to get a pregnant redhead to stare right into his soul at a yacht party.
Beth laid a warm hand on the sleeve of his tux. “I have good news, Patrick.”
“You know a hypnotist that can stop people from having feelings?”
“Better. I can make it happen between you and Cheryl.”
Patrick frowned. If Beth wasn’t pregnant, he’d ask if she was drunk. Instead, he felt his time was better spent draining his second Aperol.
“Seriously,” Beth said. “I have magical powers. Ask anyone.”
“‘Kay,” Patrick said thickly. “So what’s your plan exactly?”
“All will be revealed, but first, I need to know something.”
“There’s always a catch…”
