MERRY 23

“Well, if you’re okay with it, Noah, I’m fine with it too.”

Since the table was out on the terrace, I thought about moving inside, but the weather was too nice to pass up. I didn’t let my gaze wander toward the street—not even by accident—and focused entirely on Noah, who was sitting across from me.

Because I was wearing sunglasses, it was mostly impossible to tell where my eyes were drifting behind the dark lenses, but this wasn’t some scheme to catch a secret glimpse of Ethan. Really, really, definitely not.

“Is the sun too strong? Should we swap seats?”

“I’m alright. These sunglasses are just a touch of ‘restrained style’—keeping my excessive charm under lock and key.”

“It is a cool look.”

I gave him a playful brow-raise and changed the subject.

“How’ve you been? How’s the new living situation? Oh, before I forget, your partner looked really wonderful. You two make a great couple. It makes sense, since you’re wonderful too.”

“Thanks for saying that, Somerset.”

“I’m just stating facts.”

The man I’d seen on Noah’s moving day was a handsome guy with a lot of presence. It was impressive how his sharp eyes softened only when they landed on his partner. The combination of the bright, cheerful Noah and that intense man was like light and shadow. They were complete opposites, yet they blended together as if they existed for and by each other.

“It’s really lovely to hear a wonderful person call me wonderful. Somerset, please know that you’ve made me very happy.”

Noah’s chirping made me smile. This friend, who reminded me of a small animal, had a singular talent for making people feel good.

“How could I not? I’m sure the whole world knows what a wonderful man I am.”

“True. Exactly.”

Noah readily agreed with my boasting. It was while I was giggling along with his innocent smile that Liam approached with a brisk pace, checking his watch.

“Taking the car was a bad call. Sorry I’m late.”

“I just got here early.”

Noah kindly waved off his apology and gestured for him to take the seat next to him. I briefly considered making Liam sit next to me for tactical reasons, but I gave up on the idea, wondering what the point was. Ethan Reed wouldn’t care what I did with another man anyway.

“You should bow down to me. I won’t forgive the fact that you’re a whole minute late.”

I crossed my arms and joked with a solemn face. Noah found it funny, while Liam just shook his head.

“What’s up with him?”

“I’m always impressed by Somerset’s wit.”

“You have excellent taste. Since you understood my superb sense of humor, I’ll reward you with the chance to set our next date.”

“That’s a punishment, not a reward.”

I stuck my tongue out at the bickering Liam.

“No matter what you say, Noah likes me. And you like me too.”

“You really just do whatever you want…”

“It’s hard not to like me. Though there might be someone out there who manages that difficult feat… or not.”

Whether that someone was Ethan Reed or not.

Lunch with the two of them was satisfying. The day was clear, the food was good, and the conversation was pleasant. Above all, I was satisfied that I was so immersed in the time spent with them that I wasn’t consciously aware of the black sedan parked by the road or the man sitting inside it.

As the meal drew to a close, my fork moved more slowly, and I grew lazy with my chewing. It was because I wanted to hold onto the passing time.

But unless I could break the laws of nature, my wish couldn’t come true. It would also be a cruel thing to force Noah to stay when he wanted to head back to the happy home he shared with the man he loved. Besides, it was obvious that Noah’s stony-faced partner would probably threaten me if I did.

I settled for pestering Liam instead. Noah had just stepped away to use the restroom.

“Did you hear from the racer too? He said I absolutely had to come to the party tonight.”

“Was that what the message was about? I haven’t checked it yet.”

“Are you going?”

Liam was indifferent. It looked like he didn’t even plan on checking the message. For a guy who used to diligently show his face at any party hosted by a big name, he had become incredibly passive.

“I guess you’re not going.”

“I’m not in the mood. I’m heading to my family home in LA tomorrow, so I need some rest.”

“Don’t tell me you’re leaving for good?”

“No way. Didn’t I tell you? The moment I stepped foot in New York, my hometown changed from LA to New York.”

“Speaking as a native New Yorker, that’s incredibly dramatic.”

The LA-born Liam shrugged.

“Anyway, I’ll be gone for a few days. Don’t come by; the place will be empty. Even if you wait, there’s no one to open the door.”

“That’s a shame. Are you going to your grandfather’s? The strict one who’s trying to turn you into a straight-edged choir boy?”

“I told you about that?”

“You did. When you were wasted. You also said you have to listen to him because he’s the one funding your business. You should have one last night of fun before you become the good little grandson who obeys his every word.”

“Forget it.”

He cut off the nightlife without a shred of regret. It seemed he was going to become a choir boy even without the strict grandfather breathing down his neck. I spoke to Noah as he returned from the restroom.

“I think we have to start calling this guy a saint now.”

Noah tilted his head in confusion, and Liam dismissed it as nonsense. He seemed reluctant to let the changes he was going through—the aftereffects of his roommate leaving—be known. He shifted the topic to his scheduled trip to LA.

“Oh, I’m heading to my parents’ place. Want me to bring you anything? I came back empty-handed last time, so don’t be shy.”

“Then I’ll ask for some postcards. I’m going to write letters to my siblings.”

“I’ll get you the kind tourists buy.”

“I’m good. I don’t need anything, just come back soon.”

I gave a grin, which earned me two very different reactions. Liam was grumpy, while Noah was incredibly warm.

“I never said I was buying anything for you.”

“Somerset is so sweet. I want to be more like him. It makes me look back at myself for just asking for postcards.”

“It’s a misunderstanding, Noah. That jerk just wants a place to eat and hang out.”

“Bingo. I already miss your place; it’s my sanctuary. Can I sleep over tonight?”

“Don’t even joke about that.”

Noah laughed, likely thinking the words Liam and I were exchanging—casually but truthfully—were just a joke. I laughed along with him, not wanting to rub any grime off on his pure soul.

“Hahaha.”

A moment later, Noah left the restaurant first, promising to meet up again soon. I quickly snagged the hem of Liam’s shirt as he started to get up, forcing him back down. He narrowed his eyes as I ordered two fresh coffees.

“Drop that habit of doing whatever you want.”

“Even if you go home, the only thing waiting for you is a thick book. Did you finish the one that gave you those weird instructions?”

“Yeah.”

“And are you reading a new one?”

“Yeah.”

“How dramatic. Someone would think you just went through a breakup.”

Liam Dalton: shunning alcohol, nightlife, and people to stay cooped up alone reading books and staring blankly at an empty room. Adding a defensive attitude to a description that didn’t fit him at all made him seem suspicious, though not enough to actually warrant an accusation. So, I had just thrown it out there as a joke. I would have let it go if Liam hadn’t flinched.

“What’s with that reaction?”

I narrowed my eyes and scanned his face. His facial muscles looked stiff.

“Wait, no way.”

“It’s better not to say things you can’t handle.”

“It’s not my job to handle it. You… Noah… forget it. It’s nothing.”

When it came down to it, I couldn’t bring myself to say it. Even if I asked if he liked Noah, it was already over. Noah was at the peak of happiness, dreaming of a future with his partner. There was no hope for Liam, who had been left alone in the house they shared.

“Don’t get any ideas. Watch your mouth.”

Even though I stopped talking, Liam warned me as if he’d read my mind. He was sharp as ever.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Your guess is wrong. I’ve already sorted it out.”

“Saying you sorted it out means it was right in the past, even if it isn’t now.”

Liam didn’t deny my sharp observation, but he didn’t admit it either, instead asserting his current innocence.

“It’s clean. Just friendship.”

I could feel a sense of relief coming from him, as if it were all in the past. There wasn’t a single reason to doubt him.

“I can see that.”

I finally felt like I understood the catalyst for the changes he was experiencing. It wasn’t because of lingering feelings for an unrequited love; rather, it seemed he had gained the momentum to brush off his feelings and move on to the next stage.