“Nothing is going on.”
George was unconvinced. “Is this about a woman?”
“God, no,” Will responded quickly. “It’s about Charlie.”
The two men stared blankly.
Will took another sip of his beer then added, “And a woman.”
George released a sigh, as if he had known all along. Then Will realized that was probably true. Sometimes he forgot that George had known Charlie almost as long as he had. “All right. What happened?”
“We have another Cassidy Berger situation on our hands,” Will replied.
“Who’s Cassidy Berger?” Freddie asked, obviously confused.
“Charlie’s ex from a few years ago,” George explained. “Nice enough woman, but it was clear that she was more interested in Charlie’s earning potential than his personality.”
“Clear to everyone but Charlie,” Will added.
George nodded. “It set off a bit of a pattern.”
Freddie turned back to Will. “So who’s the new Cassidy Berger?”
“A woman he met in East Hampton. Jane Bennet. She’s a local.”
“And how much is he out this time?” George asked.
Will paused. As much as he had been able to predict the outcome of Jane and Charlie’s relationship, he rarely let himself consider how all the other usual factors were missing.
“Money wasn’t the issue.”
George’s brow furrowed, like he was mentally reviewing the conversation to find where he’d missed a step.
Meanwhile, Freddie leaned forward. “Then what was the issue?”
“Charlie fell for her. She didn’t feel the same way.”
Something in Freddie’s eyes suddenly dimmed, his usual wry grin faltering slightly.
Beside him, George shifted his weight, like he was still working it out in his head. “So she didn’t want anything from him? A car? An apartment?”
Will shook his head.
“And he didn’t promise her anything in the future?”
“No.”
“So… you just didn’t like her.”
“I didn’t say that.” Will groaned, running a hand down his face. “Why the hell are we still talking about this?”
George shrugged. “Because this doesn’t sound like a Cassidy Berger–type relationship, just a normal, run-of-the-mill relationship.”
“Whatever it was, it’s over. He just needs some time and distance, and he’ll get over it.”
Freddie let out a dry laugh. “Good luck with that.”
The comment was unusually biting, and Will wondered if Freddie didn’t have some personal experience in that department.
