Page 51 of Asking For a Friend

Time to call him out on it. But as I get downstairs, I catch snippets of a one-sided conversation. A loud and not happy Hesketh is arguing with the poor recipient.

“For fuck’s sake, Rory. I dropped everything for you when you suddenly called me after fifteen fucking years. It cost me my relationship with Lando. And you won’t let me have a hotel room. I’m not even asking for it for free. What’s so fucking hard in that? You own three of the fuckers.”

“Because he’s already given one to me.” I walk up behind him and place my hand on his back.

Rory mumbles through the line. “Why do you think I wanted you to wait until this morning? You weren’t supposed to call me before talking to Lando, you prick.”

“Fuck you.” Hesketh ends the call. I snatch the phone from him before he can launch it across the room. He’s glaring at me.

Shit, I’ve made a mistake. Hesketh is not happy with me. I put his phone on the coffee table and touch his arm. “Hesketh, if I’ve done something wrong, I’m sorry. I just wanted to give you something nice.”

“How do you even know about my brother? I don’t remember telling you.” His anger is dissipating but not gone yet. I’m treading on thin ice, and that’s not fair. Doesn’t he realise that the reason I put myself in the spotlight was that I knew he hadn’t cheated?

“Ellis and Sophie told me. Ellis showed up and explained it. He even gave me Rory’s number so I could ask him. He was horrified about what had happened and couldn’t apologise and reiterate what Ellis had told me enough. He said if we ever wanted a holiday to call him. So I did. Why is it bothering you so much?”

I let go of his arm and sink down onto the sofa. I’ve had enough of this day already. Everything has gone to shit before I’ve even had a cup of tea. With my forearms on my thighs, I look down at the floor, gathering my thoughts before I say anything I could regret. Like stop being such a fucking baby!

When he doesn’t move or say anything, I get up and walk out of the room. If only I could have a coffee. A blast of caffeine could be just what I need to get through the day. That or alcohol. Which is probably not smart at this hour, even if it is Christmas Day. I guess the honeymoon period is over. I knew it couldn’t last forever.

Fuck it. I’m having a coffee. I’ll take the pain meds later. The day can’t get any worse, can it?

I put the kettle on and grab a mug from the cabinet, then take another for Hesketh. I don’t have to behave as stubbornly as he. Footsteps pad lightly on the floor behind me, but I don’t turn around. I’m not the one in the wrong here.

“I’ve fucked up, haven’t I?” His voice is closer than I expected. His warm breath ghosts over my nape. As he kisses the spot below my ear, I let out a soft sigh. “Tell me how to make it better, please, Lando.”

I slowly turn around and lean back against the counter. He stands at arm’s length. Contrition is in his gaze, the crease in his brow, and the slight downturn of his lips. He means it. He’s sorry.

The tension leaves my body in a whoosh, and I sag back. “We can get back to bed and start this day again.”

He nods and leaves the kitchen. His footsteps are heavy on the staircase as he trudges upstairs. I finish making drinks for us both. Thank god I don’t have to force coffee into my system.

As we walk up to Ellis and Sophie’s home, I take Lando’s hand in mine. “Please remember that I love you.” I grin. “And you agreed to this.”

He rolls his eyes like some bored teenager. “If I can survive one of my mother’s parties, I’m sure I’ll survive this.”

“At least the food will be amazing.”

Before I can knock, the door swings open. Ellis is wearing probably the most hideous Christmas jumper I’ve ever seen. “Nice outfit.” I snort.

“Don’t knock it. You’ve got a similar-looking gift waiting for you.” Ellis laughs, then greets Lando. “Welcome to the madhouse.”

“Okay, now I’m worried.” Lando looks between both of us. “What have I agreed to exactly?”

“Only a house full of crazy people. Come on in.” Ellis takes the bags of presents we brought.

The setup for Christmas at Ellis’s is something else. Their open house policy took some getting used to. My family are much more traditional. We kept dinner to family only and a typical turkey roast. From everything I’ve seen of his parents, Lando would never have had fun Christmas celebrations.

Lando bites his lip, the fucker. Mirth and glee shine in his eyes as he holds back his laughter.

“You can quit that. It’s tradition.” The jumper is probably one of the worst I’ve had to wear over the years. As I smooth my hand down the front of the bright green wool, it snags on the lit-up Christmas trees, making the sewn-on bells that look like they came off a cat collar jingle. “Just you wait. You’ll get one next year.” I huff out my embarrassment, but he doesn’t care and barks out a laugh.

“Oh, my poor love. I think you look”—Lando pauses—“festive.” He wraps his arms around me and hugs me, his lips close to my ear. “I love you, whatever you wear.”

“Uncle Hesketh.” Esme pulls on my jumper. “What’s a keeper?”

I gaze down at my goddaughter, who’s wearing a Cinderella dress and a tinsel halo. “A what, sweetie?”

“A keeper. Mummy says you’ve found one, and I don’t know what it is.”

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