Page 19

Jax and Bri have shaken off whatever tension clung to them earlier in the day. Bri is curled sideways into the corner of the sofa, laughing hard at something Jax says, almost spilling her drink.

Lennie follows my gaze, humming quietly beside me. “That’s better."

“Hmm.” I smile into my glass. “Looks like they've finally realised that they actually like each other.”

Across from us, Saint tells another dramatic story involving Aaron—hands moving animatedly while everyone tunes in to listen. The Rioja has clearly gone straight to his head—leaving him gloriously unfiltered—as he lounges across the sofa like a rockstar. One ankle hooked over his knee, silver rings flashing in the firelight, while his fingers play absently with the locket hanging around his neck every time Aaron’s name is mentioned.

“I’m telling you,” Saint declares, pointing at Ember with his wine glass. “Nobody has ever looked at me the way Aaron did after I posted flyers all over London of his bully, saying that he still wet the bed, because that is devotion.”

Ember barks out a laugh. “You did not!”

“Oh yes I did, sweet child, no one is going to bully my man.” He laughs, snapping his fingers.

“Such a romantic,” Bri jokes playfully.

“It was romantic.” Saint feigns shock. “We were fifteen, deeply closeted, and moisturising exclusively with cigarette smoke and regret. We had to stand together because people didn’t stand with gays back then.”

“You came out at fifteen?” Ember asks, her expression softening in awe. “I wish I was that brave.”

He leans back dramatically. “We were together at fifteen. We didn’t come out to our families until we were seventeen, almost eighteen, and old enough to leave if we needed to,” he says, giving her shoulder a squeeze. “When we finally came out, his father couldn’t have been happier; he welcomed me with open arms. My father though… Well let’s just leave it at he hasn’t spoken to me since. But he was always a ‘man’s man’.’’ He punctuates the words with exaggerated air quotes. “He used to beat on my mum and after he cut me off, she left her job as a nurse and returned to Catalonia. She adores Aaron,” he adds quieter now, “I think she only stayed before because she wanted me to have a father. Funny how that works. She sacrificed her own happiness so I could have one, only for him to disappear anyway. Not that it was any great loss.” There’s a pause, as he sips his wine. “Aaron and I moved in together immediately after and we have the best life together honestly; our lives are ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous?” Lennie wonders aloud.

“Darling, if I told you, your hair would turn even whiter.”

Laughter ripples around the group, and Saint grins brightly, his thumb rubbing over the locket resting against his chest.

The conversation gradually splinters into smaller ones. Ember and Saint debate, passionately, about whether dragons or vampires make better fictional love interests, and she drags Jax, reluctantly, into the fray. It’s hilarious.

Lennie catches Bri’s eye. “So,” he says quietly, “do you know who your dad is?”

I don’t mean to listen. I just happen to be close enough.

“I know his name and his regiment. Well, his regiment when he was dating my mum. There’s a couple of photographs of him with me as a baby, but they’re not great. He doesn’t look happy, holding me at arms-length like a rugby ball. He’s from Grenada though and I’ve no idea if he went back, settled in the UK, or stayed in the army.”

He nods slowly, as though turning something over in his mind. “I’ve still got a few contacts. If you ever wanted me to, I could ask around. See if anyone knows where he ended up.”

There’s something so inherently Lennie about the offer that it makes me smile. The man can’t help himself. He’s spent his entire life looking after everyone else, patching invisible cracks before anyone even notices they’re there. Plus, men who walk away from their families offend him on a deeply personal level.

For one reckless heartbeat I want to blurt everything out. Right here, in front of strangers and fairy lights and half-empty wine glasses. Anything to stop carrying it alone but that wouldn’t be fair, he deserves better.

“That’s really kind,” Bri says, smiling sadly. “But it’s okay. I’ll be forty… I’m forty-one.” She shrugs. “If he’d wanted to know me... He would’ve by now.”

A silence settles between them as Lennie reaches out, slipping an arm around her shoulders.

“It’s his loss.”

She looks up at him, eyes glassing over.

“And for what it’s worth,” he continues, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “If you ever need a father figure, advice, support, someone to help you move a sofa, I’m here. Anytime, okay.”

A watery laugh escapes her.

“I’m serious.”

“I know.”

“I’ve got two daughters. If I wasn’t around for them, I’d hope someone decent would step in.” He smiles warmly. “So, the offer stands. No pressure. Just... Don’t convince yourself you’ve got no one.”