“Hi, Kit, how are you getting on?”
“I was in Dubai last week, we had some racehorses to fly.” He grins and I can see how much he enjoys it. “And we’re going to Japan next week.”
“Are you coming to Argentina with us next month?” I ask, and he nods his head enthusiastically. I envy him slightly. At twenty-two I was trying to finish my degree and feeling the full weight of being in charge of Monkswood Hall. Linden walks with me as I go to the buffet table and get some food. We find a quiet tableto sit at while we eat and talk, catching up. I haven’t seen him for several weeks, as he’s also a pilot like his father and heavily involved with the family business.
“I broke up with Jonny,” he says, taking a bite of his food.
“What? I thought you guys were pretty steady,” I say and he shrugs a little.
“It hadn’t been going well for a while. Not since I came back from Aspen. He couldn’t cope with me being away so much, and I get that, but he never wanted to come with us and I can’t give up my job. It’s our business. To be honest I don’t really think he liked horses that much and he always begrudged the time I spent with them.”
“You don’t seem very heartbroken,” I say, knowing I can get away with that as I’ve known Linden for a long time, since we were at school together.
“Yeah, I’m not, so that tells me everything, really. I guess I’m not cut out for that all-consuming passionate love you hear about. Unlike our Latino friend here.” He indicates Andrés, who appears at our table.
“What’s that?” Andrés asks, sitting down.
“That we reserved Brits don’t have passion running through our veins like you South American guys.”
Andrés smirks and leans forward slightly.
“I know an English guy, and I can tell you he’s as hot and passionate as?—”
“Eew, okay, I get it. I don’t need to know any more,” Linden laughs, and spares us all whatever Andrés was going to tell us about Simon. Andrés looks around.
“Where’s Charley? We should talk about the game today.”
“I’ll go and find him,” I offer and rise. I walk through the double doors to the drawing room, and it takes me a minute to spot him standing near the mantelpiece. Before I can go over, Oscar approaches with two glasses and hands one to Charley, who thanks him and takes a drink. I’m rooted to the spot watching them. It looks intimate and my mouth goes dry and darkness pervades my soul.
“Are you going to let him get away again?” Immy appears next to me and I glare at her briefly before turning my attention back to Charley and Oscar.
“He had a bad experience recently and now has this strict rule where he won’t get involved with his boss.”
“But you’re his friend, Gabe, that’s different.”
“He’s free to choose whoever he wants,” I growl, not liking the reality of that, but respecting it.
“And does he know his options? Have you told him that much?”
Charley puts down his glass and I see Oscar lean close, whispering something in Charley’s ear. He laughs, his eyes dancing, and he gives a coy smile. The darkness swallows me whole. I can’t stand it any longer.
“No, but I’m going to now.” I stride across the room. I can hear Immy call something behind me, probably that this isn’t the time, but I don’t heed her. If I don’t do this now, it’ll eat mealive. I walk straight up to them, pushing my shoulder between the two.
“Charley, I need to talk to you,” I mutter and grab his wrist. I pull him with me through a door into a smaller room off the main one. I shut the door and lock it behind me. I swivel round and Charley is standing before me with fury in his eyes.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHARLEY
“What the fuck, Gabriel!” I have no idea why he’s shoved me into this room.
“What’s going on with Oscar?” he demands and it riles me up. I’m still pissed at him for asking about Oscar earlier.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
“He was flirting with you.” He crosses his arms and leans back against the door.
“So what? After my breakup with Tony and Miles treating me like dirt it’s nice to have some attention, someone who seems to like me and tells me I have nice eyes.” I pace the room in front of him.
