Page 14 of Someone Like You

“Better go somewhere else today,” Ian muttered.

“What’s the problem?”

“My ex.” At one of the tables on the other side of the street, a couple of lovebirds were sharing breakfast under the sun. They looked perfect together: him, tall and handsome, and her, pretty and confident. Made for each other.

Phil checked them out and let out a whistle. “Damn, she’s hot.”

“The other one.”

“Oh.” Phil looked again. “Damn,he’s hot.”

Ian cast him a wry chuckle. He was over Jamie, but the scars remained. He wasn’t particularly keen on crossing paths with him, especially if he hadthatkind of company.

Phil studied the merry couple, then Ian again. “Bad breakup?”

“See the ginger? Her name wasbasketball practicebefore he grew the balls to tell me about her.”

“That’svile.”

Ian shrugged. “At least he was honest. Eventually. I just don’t think I’m ready to deal with all their lovey-dovey shite just yet.”

Phil hummed pensively. Ian was about to drag him back into the park, but he felt a strong grip around his wrist pulling him back. Phil’s hazel eyes were ablaze with determination when his fingers intertwined with Ian’s. An impish grin tugged at his lips. “Let’s throw it back in his face.”

It wasn’t hard to guess what he was plotting. His hand was warm and firm in Ian’s; he looked excited, like a child who was proud of his mischief, and that genuine excitement infected Ian as well.

“Leave the talking to me. If you want to say something: short, blunt sentences. Look at me, not him.”

“Quite the schemer, eh?”

“It’s my job. Trust me.”

Ian arched an eyebrow at him. “I do.”

The flush on Phil’s face spread down to his neck.

They crossed the street hand in hand. As they approached the café, Phil muttered: “Pretend I just said something hilarious.”

Ian didn’t need to fake his amused reaction. It was ridiculous for two grown men to be doing this over something so stupid, but it was all worth it when walking past the happy couple a surprised voice exclaimed, “Ian?”

They halted, looking around as though they had no idea where the voice had come from.

“Ah, Jamie.” Ian offered the gaping man a condescending nod as Phil let go of his hand to circle his waist with an arm; Ian’s arm moved spontaneously around his shoulders. “How’s it going?”

But Jamie wasn’t looking at Ian. He was transfixed on Phil, who was grinning so besottedly Ian nearly lost it. Phil was a guy who didn’t go unnoticed, even more so now that he had this dishevelled air adding to his charm, and definitely knew how to seduce an audience with his presence.

Jamie licked his lips; his Adam apple bobbed. “Good, I’m… good.” His gaze shifted to Ian. “You look…”

Phil swiftly placed a hand on Ian’s chest. “We’re gonna be late for lunch if we don’t hurry.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Ian adjusted his arm around Phil and offered Jamie and his girlfriend, whose name escaped him, an apologetic smile. “It was nice seeing you, J. Have a good day.”

On the way into the café, Phil’s hand casually slipped into the back pocket of Ians’ jeans.

“They’re still looking, play along.”

“You didn’t have tosqueeze.”

“Squeezewhat? It’s all steel!”

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