Forde grimaced. “Not you too. I used to be able to rely on you for keeping your nose out of people’s business.”
“Doesn’t look like you’ve got much business going on.” Ramsay took a swig of his drink with an innocent shrug.
I rubbed a hand over my mouth to hide my grin.
“I’ve got business going on. Don’t you worry. My business is being handled. Regularly.” Forde’s gaze grew distant with thought. “I think. When was the gig on Scaris? The one with Murray?”
I raised a brow. “Monthsago.”
The mechanic pressed a dramatic hand to his chest, looking suddenly ill. “Months? How many months?”
“A few.”
“Fuck.” He seemed stunned. “My businesshasn’tbeen handled. I’m … I’m a …”
“Simp?” Ramsay asked blandly, gesturing with his cup toward Cammie.
I gave a bark of laughter, drawing London’s quizzical stare.
Forde huffed, “Fuck no. I’ve just … accidentally become celibate, apparently. But it’s fixable.”
I snorted. “You call a few months celibate?”
“Aye!”
“Och, that’s nothing. Tryeighteenmonths.”
Forde grabbed my arm, appalled. “Mate, did that happen to you?”
I shrugged, unabashed.
“I am so sorry.”
“It wasn’t a terminal illness. It was when Jill and I were having problems.” My gaze moved back to my bride. “And then I went eleven months without before I met London.”
“Why? You were single.”
“Aye, but casual sex is rubbish. It doesn’t compare to being with the woman you love.”
“Fuck off.” Forde turned to Ramsay, searching for McRae’s agreed incredulity. He didn’t find it. Ramsay gave a nod, eyes on his woman. “Fuck.Off.” Forde repeated in disbelief.
I grabbed my friend by the back of the neck and squeezed. “You should try it sometime. It’ll blow your mind.”
Forde chuckled and pulled away from me, watching Cameron McQuarrie with an intensity that signaled the possibility of an incoming storm on Leth Sholas.
After all, Forde was Quinn’s best mate and Cammie was Quinn’s wee sister.
48.Murray
London found me with Kelly at a crafts stall. My daughter had traipsed across the field to beg me to buy her beads to make something called friendship bracelets.
Kelly looked uncharacteristically annoyed by London’s appearance. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”
London took one look at what we were buying and broke into a wide smile. “Are you making me a friendship bracelet?”
“You weren’t supposed to know.”
My wife’s eyes grew shimmery with emotion. “You are the sweetest. I’ll love it, I promise.”
