Page 34 of Asking For a Friend

Before he can answer, my mum comes back, telling everyone dinner is about to be served. Her scuttling away makes sense now. She wants people to be eating rather than watching us battle. “I’ve had to shuffle the seating plan around, seeing as you weren’t polite enough to RSVP me. Lando, you’re on our table. Your friend is on another one.”

“Nope, that’s not happening. We sit together, or we go.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“For god’s sake, Stephanie, sit them together. They’ve caused enough drama already.”

As soon as we sit down, I identify the other guests as the people my father is trying to impress. I introduce myself and Connor.

One of the women whispers to her husband, who smiles and replies less quietly. “Then ask him.”

With a blush, she looks at me. “Are you Lando Hardwick, the author?”

My dad’s face goes a scary puce colour, and he glowers at me like he wants to silence me. “I am,” I tell her.

“Oh, this is so exciting. I love your books. I was at the book signing in Birmingham. I don’t suppose you recognise me. It was a busy day. I’m Colleen Walters. This is my husband, Derek.”

I pull out my phone. “I do remember you, Colleen. In fact, I think I have a photograph of us together.” I look at the albums and open the one of the signing. I scroll through them until I find the picture. “Here, look.” I turn my phone around to show her.

She beams. “Oh, you’ve kept the photographs of the event. How exciting.”

The other woman joins in, introducing herself as Martina, and her husband, Paul. I haven’t met her before, but she has read my books. So rather than talking about business—and my parents trying to butter up the men—we’re discussing books. Not just mine. We talk about all our favourite authors and books. And against the odds, I’m enjoying myself. Connor isn’t left out, though. The women compliment him on his nail polish, which starts him chatting about his make-up, his YouTube channel, and his random gigs in drag. They look him up and subscribe. He’s found some new fans.

The dinner ends, and we leave the table, but the conversation continues. My father hovers around, trying to get back to his proposition. Unfortunately for him, it doesn’t work.

“Our son came out to us a few months ago.” Paul looks at Martina, who takes his hand. “It was a shock at first, but he’s my son, and I love him. I was worried that if he thought we wouldn’t accept him, he would leave, and there are too many gay kids on the streets.”

Martina continues. “He’s been amazing,” She smiles at her husband with pride. “I’d had my suspicions but nothing concrete. Liam is eighteen and at university now and is growing in confidence, becoming more himself, finding his style and his people. He’ll be so jealous I’ve met you both.”

Connor beams. “If he’s interested, we could meet up.” He gives her his number. “He can shoot me a message if he wants to.”

Paul turns to my father. “Christopher, you must be immensely proud of your son.”

The group goes silent as my dad tries to find something appropriate to say. I could throw my father a line and help him out to not make him look like the homophobic prick he is. Or I can stay quiet.

“This is the first time in ten years that Lando has seen his father. His coming out wasn’t as pleasant as your son’s.” It seems Connor has made the decision for me.

“Leave it, Connor.” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Christopher, you surprise me. I thought you said you were proud of your son and his achievements, that you spent time together. Let’s have a talk about your business proposal somewhere private. Your office, perhaps?” Derek says.

As the three men walk away, my father shoots me a foul look. Of course he blames me for his behaviour tonight. An awkward silence descends. The women start to talk about one of my characters, and the conversation turns back to normal. Thank god for my fans.

“Sorry.” Connor pecks my cheek and squeezes my waist.

He stiffens. I follow his gaze, and my breath hitches in my throat. Hesketh. He’s looking at me, his eyes full of sadness, then turns away and strides out of the room.

I excuse myself and hurry after him, but I can’t find him anywhere. As I walk into the hallway, one of my neighbours stops me. I used to cut her lawn and wash her car. “Oh, Lando, I’m so happy to see you again. I’ve promised my daughter that if I do, I’d tell you how much she loves your books. Such a clever boy and so handsome too. You’re too good for your parents. You remember that, sweet boy.”

I smile and hug her. She pats my back, then teeters off into the party. I sit on the stairs, leaning my arms on my thighs. It’s obvious my parents have never spoken about me. I don’t care. And that’s the sad truth. I stopped caring ten years ago. Well, maybe not that long, but over time, the hurt of rejection faded. The people I met became my family. If my parents didn’t want me, why should I want them? I don’t need them or their money. That’s the only thing they deem important. Like this party. It’s so over the top, a way to show off their wealth, but the fact is that it’s gaudy as hell, and they don’t even know it. I bet a lot of people see right through them.

Footsteps stomp down the hall, and I hold my breath. It can’t be my father coming to throw me out for losing him the deal because he’s still shouting his mouth off in his study. Instead, it’s Hesketh.

Now I can find out what the hell he’s doing here.

I’ve had enough of dealing with the Hardwicks tonight. I want to get out of here, go home, and open the bottle of gin that’s calling to me from my freezer. I should check in with the clients, but from the amount of champagne Mrs Hardwick has consumed, she doesn’t care anymore. And it sounds like her husband is shouting in a room with a closed door. Not the most successful event I’ve organised, but not the worst either.

Someone stands up from where they were sitting on the fairy light-covered stairs. The party has turned into a disaster. Lando.

With flushed cheeks and his hands on his hips, he glares at me, but he has never looked so fucking sexy. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

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