Page 42 of Convenient Rivals

Gregory was happy for Jason. He’d been through a lot of shit and not had an easy life. The thought that he could meet someone and even think about the future was indeed a miracle.

“So, that just leaves Gregory as the single one,” said Jason.

“Be quiet,” he grumbled.

“How is Oscar?” asked Jason.

“I have no idea.”

“At the Fitzwilliam-Smythe ball, I’m sure.”

“Who knows? I don’t go to things like that.”

“He had a date, I heard.”

That got Gregory’s attention. Oscar had texted him earlier today about meeting tonight. He’d ignored it. Had he really gotten another date already?

“How do you know all this?” asked Langdon.

“Daddy told me.”

“And how does Patrick know?”

“Did someone say my name?” asked Patrick, smiling and carrying a tray of drinks, followed by Sebastian. “I got two for everyone, so we don’t have to keep going back. It’s heaving up there.”

“Is Eric alright?” asked Langdon, standing up.

“He said for you to stay out of the way because you’ll be too distracting.”

Langdon laughed, but he still glanced over at the bar, looking worried. Gregory wouldn’t be surprised if he jumped in and started helping them before the night was over.

“What were you talking about?” asked Patrick.

“The Fitzwilliam-Smythe ball and Oscar’s date,” said Jason.

“Are you shit stirring, boy?”

“No.” Jason pouted.

Everyone laughed, including Patrick. Jason tried to look incredulous, then laughed with them.

“Tell them about the Montgomery will.”

“Jason! How do you work in HR? You can’t keep anything to yourself, can you?”

“I’m always the consummate professional, but I’m off duty now and this is juicy gossip.”

Gregory was on edge. Did Patrick know something about Oscar? He was the editor of the biggest tabloid in Britain, so he probably knew a lot about everyone, and a lot of it would be unpublishable. Gregory wanted him to get to the point, but he couldn’t say anything himself. The last thing he needed was his friends thinking he had a vested interest.

“Look, it’s mostly rumour and conjecture, which is why nothing has even been reported.”

“Why would Oscar Montgomery going on a date be newsworthy?” asked Charlie, shooting a look at Gregory who was doing his best to look indifferent.

“It’s just something I was told by a source. His mother needs him to get married before his thirtieth birthday so he gets his full inheritance.”

Paolo, Max, Langdon, and Charlie were hanging on Patrick’s every word. Sebastian looked amused, and Jason was bouncing up and down, clapping like a seal. He couldn’t sit still for thirty seconds.

“Settle down, boy.”

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