Page 36 of Forbidden Lust

Daniel chuckled. They’d agreed after his marriage imploded that they’d never speak his ex’s name again.

“I love him, Gavin. I think... I hope he feels the same way, and I want to spend the rest of my life with him if he’ll have me.”

“I need a drink,” he said, spinning round and opening the fridge.

“I’ll get the glasses,” said Fran.

They all took a seat at the table and poured generous glasses of wine. Gavin took a big swig before he started.

“Josh is the product of a one-night stand. His mum and I were never together. She told me she was pregnant and was going to keep it, but expected nothing from me, so I took that as a get out of jail card. I know that makes me an arsehole, but I was nineteen, studying, and the last thing I wanted was to be saddled with a kid.”

That made sense, and Josh’s mum hadn’t demanded his involvement. Based on how Josh spoke about his mum, that made sense. It must be where Josh got his independent streak from.

“I didn’t hear from her again until Josh was three. It was only by chance that I bumped into her. I was doing my traineeship and enjoying the freedom of my twenties. She asked for my number in case she ever needed to contact me for medical reasons, so I gave it to her. She’d send me pictures now and then. I wanted to see him, but didn’t want to interfere in his life. I also felt bad that I wasn’t contributing, but Iwas piss poor then as well. You know what a trainee salary in London is like to live on.”

Daniel remembered. It was more than the average salary overall, but when you were expected to have immaculate suits, attend social events, and network, you had little disposable income left if you wanted to get ahead.

“I met him a few times when he was growing up. By that time, she was married and had another kid. It was always awkward when we met, and I felt like it was best if I kept out of his life. She never asked me for any money, and I know I should have offered, but I was married myself by then. I’d never mentioned Josh, and it just became harder to explain why I’d kept it quiet.”

“What about after his parents died?”

“I know I was an arsehole, but I hadn’t seen him in years, and the first thing he did was ask me for money.”

“Because he was desperate.”

“What do you mean?”

“He lives in a one-bedroom flat with his sister, who he’s had to look after since she was eighteen. He sleeps on a sofa because he can’t afford anything more.”

“He told me he was on sixty grand a year.”

“He is, but he’s paying his sister’s tuition fees and her living costs. He doesn’t want her to have student debt, so it all goes to her. Yes, he is paid well for an EA with his experience, but he’s very good. He’s got your brains. First class student.”

“Where is he living?”

“Ex-council block in South East London.”

“Fuck! I didn’t know.”

“Because you never got to know him.”

“I’ll give him the money I promised.”

“He doesn’t want your money, Gavin. He just wants to know you and his sisters if he can. I offered him the money, and he told me to piss off. I don’t think money is the answerhere. Yes, of course it would help him get himself straight, but you have an opportunity here to get to know your son.”

“When did you find out who he was?”

“After our first weekend together. He saw that photo of you all. I hadn’t realised, but I was already so far gone for him I wasn’t willing to give him up.”

Fran topped their glasses up. She was watching them closely, but was keeping quiet, letting them talk it out. Daniel took a large gulp of wine and leaned back in his chair.

“Don’t make me choose between you both, Gavin. I’m not sure you’d win.”

He heard a large intake a breath from his best friend.

“It’s that serious?”

“I want to marry him.”

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