“Pleased to meet you,” Gus says, shaking Justin’s hand.
At first glance, Gus comes across like any other tech entrepreneur. But there’s something guarded about him that I’ve never quite been able to crack. His piercing blue eyes take in everything and give away nothing. He always speaks carefully, like every word has been preapproved by some internal committee, and he has a habit of pausing just a beat too long before answering questions.
“So, what brings you to London?” I ask.
“The person I’m seeing lives here, so I’ve just popped over the pond for a surprise visit,” he says.
I try to hide my surprise. Despite having worked with Gus for a year, I’ve learned approximately three personal facts about him, and one of those was his coffee order. I didn’t even know he was seeing anyone, let alone in a long-distance relationship.
“Unfortunately, they’ve actually gone on a trip to Italy, so it’s been a wasted trip.”
“Oh, that’s a shame.”
“I know. The first time in my life I do something spontaneous, and it backfires on me.” He shrugs like it doesn’t matter, but I can see the tension in his jaw. Gus is not a guy who likes for plans to go astray.
“What about you? What brings you to London?” he asks.
“Just seeing some clients.” I don’t mention that I moved my trip forward because I thought Andrew might need me over here, only to turn up and discover that he’d chased after Justin to America, or how I’m currently spending most of my time prancing around in a unicorn onesie.
There are some facts you should keep to yourself.
“And what about you?” He turns his attention to Andrew. “Have you got any new projects on the horizon?”
“I’m still working on some ideas. I came over here just for a visit, but now I plan on remaining in London indefinitely.” Andrew directs a smile at Justin.
I blink. This is news to me.
Andrew and I haven’t had a heart-to-heart conversation yet about exactly what happened in America and how he and Justin managed to resolve everything.
But as the evening unfolds, I realize I don’t need one.
Because as we go through the ritual toast and hymns, I watch Andrew and Justin together. The way Justin’s hand finds the small of Andrew’s back without looking. The way Andrew tilts toward him during conversations like gravity has quietly rearranged itself around one person.
I’ve known Andrew a long time, and I’ve never seen him look like this. Settled. Like all those jagged edges have finally been smoothed away.
And given how they began—with Andrew attempting to get revenge on Justin for four years of high school torment, for being the popular jock who made the nerdy kid’s life miserable—it’s remarkable they’re even in the same room, let alone looking at each other like this.
Not that I can criticize anything, given the current state of my revenge plan.
But even watching Andrew and Justin, even with all the fascinating pomp and circumstance going on, as the dinner proceeds, I’m itching with impatience.
And suddenly I realize what the problem is.
I can’t wait to get home to Archie and debate Very Hungry Caterpillar costumes.
Because there is one thing I didn’t confide to Andrew, and I have no intention of sharing with anyone.
I haven’t had this much fun in years. Possibly ever.
Chapter Sixteen
Archie
There’s glitter in Leo’s coffee.
He doesn’t know it yet. He’s currently standing by the refreshment table at the Henderson-Blackwell residence, surveying the chaos of a dozen or so nine-year-olds with the expression of a man calculating exit strategies.
I slipped the edible glitter into his cup when he was unloading the prop bags. Just a small sprinkling, enough to make his next sip sparkle in ways coffee shouldn’t.
