He blinks. “Where did you go, then?”
Being an arsehole to someone like Aidan is totally fine, but Ethan doesn’t deserve it. And I owe him some manner of explanation. I didn’t lie, exactly, but I didn’t correct his assumption last week when I said I was taking Friday off. He told me to have a good weekend with my duke. Assuming it was Eddie is all on him.
“Scotland.”
“Scotland?”
“You may have heard of it, big country up north?” I peer at him and point north, very helpfully. “That way?”
Ethan twists his paper cup of tea in between his hands, shaking his head. “Yes, Theodor,” he says, “I know all about Scotland. I spent two weeks camping in the Highlands last summer, remember? And I’m a quarter Scottish.”
“You can never be too careful these days.”
“Quit stalling. Spill.”
“Okay, fine. Have it your way. I went to see Stef.”
“Oh, he’s Stef now?” Ethan tries to hide a smile, but he’s too amused to be convincing in the slightest.
I give him a thunderous look, but the damage is done: I was too casual, too easy.
Careful, Theo. Even with Ethan.
“Prince Stefanos, thank you very much,” I retort.
“So testy this day.” Ethan shakes his head. But his eyes still glimmer. “How was the visit with him? Did you two sink anything this time in Edinburgh?”
“Actually, loose lips sink ships.”
“I’ll file that gem right next to my knowledge of Scotland.” Ethan looks solemn, indulging my nonsense. Which I’ll gladly take right about now. “You had a good time, then?”
“We stayed off the water,” I confirm with a noncommittal sound. Of course I had an excellent time—beyond excellent, even. Of course I’m not up for talking about it. Not right now. Possibly never.
“I’m your friend, not the press, remember?” Ethan prompts. He waits.
“Yeah. I know. How about… we talk about this after work? I can get James to come by, too, so I don’t have to go through this twice.” Stalling buys me time. Which may get me out of talking about Stef because the weekend together feels too private. Too raw. Too upsetting, if I’m truly honest, about how things ended. And, importantly, why. Something heavy settles around my heart.
Ethan sighs, shaking his head. “Full evasive maneuvers, duly noted.”
“Sorry.”
I wish I could bring myself to talk to Ethan right now. But the truth is, I want to lose myself in work. The craving for the distraction is visceral. Otherwise, I might start emoting messily, and no work will get done—and I’ll feel even more shit than what I do already. And then I’ll still have to talk to James, because experience has told me I can only keep him at bay for so long when he’s on a mission. So I may not get out of spilling eventually, but at least I can avoid it for a little while longer.
“Pub later? I’ll check the back’s free and book the room.” Ethan smiles encouragingly at me. “We’ll see if I can get Sacha out too. Too much lawyering just leads to hairy palms, as they say.”
“You’ll never get into a club like that. Or, incidentally, laid.”
“I’ll tell him.” Ethan chuckles and goes to put the kettle on for more tea. I take the opportunity to forget about both Aidan and Stef for a few hours in favor of my design plans. Because God knows those days are limited too. And reality is hurtling at me at a speed entirely out of my control.
By 6:00 p.m., we’re in the back of our local pub in the small private room. James does the old hat-and-sunglasses thing to get in without being noticed, having turned up unannounced at the end of our workday as he does on occasion to urge us on for drinks. Ethan’s partner, Sacha, has a case wanting more attention, so Sacha’s bailed for now. Ethan carries in a round of pints for the three of us.
“Drink up, boys.” Ethan sets down the lager on the round oak table. The glasses clink against each other, and a little slops onto the table. “I also checked in case Aidan’s skulking around here, but no sign of him.” He also hands back my phone.
“Thanks,” James tells him, retrieving a glass. “Very kind as always.”
I nod my approval as I follow suit. “Thanks, man.”
At last, I turn my phone back on. There’s a text from Mamma, but that’s it for both admirers and foes. I flip it face down on the table.
