Page 18 of Perfect Night

“I didn’t want to get my hopes up and have them shattered into pieces. It was a perfect night, and I just want to leave it as a happy memory. Now, can we talk about something else, please?”

They all looked at him for a few seconds and let it go. KC brought over their drinks, and they confirmed they’d wait for Jason to arrive before ordering food. Gregory had called him and got a croaky response that he was on his way back from somewhere in South London. Knowing Jason, he’d have jumped in an Uber, so shouldn’t be long. Traffic wasn’t too bad on a Sunday morning.

After ten minutes of inane chatter, Charlie could tell Gregory was getting irritated. He hated lateness, although he’d known Jason for eight years and this wasn’t new behaviour.

“Shall we just assume Jason isn’t coming, or that he’s going to be too late?” asked Charlie.

There were nods around the table. Charlie waved at KC as she knew their orders. They were creatures of habit, and it always prompted mock shock around the table if someone wanted to ‘mix things up.’ It was usually a fleeting moment. When you came to the same cafe for five years, you knew what you liked.

“Langdon, I meant to ask you. Did you know there was a VIP lounge at Mickey’s?” asked Charlie.

“Of course. I used to work it when I was there.”

“Did anyone else know?”

Paolo shrugged, but Gregory nodded. Of course the millionaire knew about it. That was probably why Sebastianwalked in without question. It catered for the wealthy, something Charlie would never be.

“Did your new man take you in there?” asked Gregory.

“He’s not my new man, and I thought we’d moved on to other topics. How was lunch with Mummy on Thursday?”

“You bitch!” said Gregory with a glare.

“It’s your turn in the spotlight. But seriously, how was it?”

“Awful, but tolerable.”

“I’m not sure why you started speaking to them again.”

“Charlie!” said Paolo, with a firmer tone than usual.

“Sorry, I’m on edge.”

“Love will do that to you,” said Gregory.

“For fuck’s sake, I’m not in love with him,” Charlie shouted.

“Who’s not in love?” asked Jason, who appeared to have materialised out of thin air.

He dumped his bag and coat on his chair and bounced over to KC, giving her kisses and squealing loudly. He practically vibrated with excitement back over to their table, knocking over two chairs on the way. It was too much energy for a Sunday morning.

“Where have you been?” asked Charlie, before the conversation could swing back to him and Sebastian.

“Getting railed all night. I swear to God, he had a cock like a baby’s arm. I won’t be able to walk for a week.”

To emphasise the point, he lowered himself onto his chair with a wince.

“Are you going to see him again?” asked Gregory, unfazed by the explicit recap.

“Nah. You know me. Fuck and chuck, or get fucked and chuck,” he laughed.

“Excuse me!”

They turned to find a po-faced woman with two children.

“Yes?” asked Jason.

“Can you not speak like that, please? It’s very offensive.”

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