She faltered in the middle of raising her voice and awkwardly gathered her words back together. She was probably turning red with fury on the other end of the line. Regardless, Ben continued tossing in obedient little responses like, “Yes, yes, I see,” before pleasantly replying, “Tell me whenever you feel like it.”
In the end, Able left me with a request to talk separately later and hung up first.
—She really seems like a good person.
Ben leisurely said something that would’ve made Able burst a blood vessel if she heard it, then offered his goodbye.
—Then I’ll see you next schedule.
“Take care too, Ben. Have a good day.”
After ending the call, I played the jazz again. The exquisitely teasing push-and-pull of the melody bewitched my ears.
“Mmm.”
I drove while savoring the rhythm as if tasting flavor itself. Ignoring the black sedan diligently trailing behind me at a careful distance.
Once I arrived at the meeting spot, I parked the car, grabbed my sunglasses and outerwear, and got out. I was excited at the thought of spending my boring weekend pleasantly. Soon, I spotted a round, small, adorable back of a head and carefully softened my footsteps as I approached.
“Hi.”
Maybe he hadn’t sensed me approaching, because Noah turned around with his eyes wide open. His already large eyes grew so huge I worried they might pop out. Sitting across from him, I hooked my sunglasses over the bridge of my nose and gave him a wink.
“Were you secretly doing something bad behind my back? You look way too surprised.”
“No, nothing like that.”
“I know. It was a joke, so you don’t have to deny it so seriously.”
“Looks like I finally fooled you. I was pretending to seriously deny it.”
“You got me there.”
Noah Davis was Liam’s former roommate, and naturally became my friend because he came and went from Liam’s house like it was his own.
Even though our first impression hadn’t exactly been ideal—since Noah had walked into the room while Liam and I were having sex—it hadn’t caused any problems in building a friendship. I had no regrets, and unlike the people who automatically judged me as an easy and vulgar person, Noah had tried to overcome his own preconceptions about me.
Though older than me, Noah looked young enough to pass for a teenager. Just like the impression his face gave off, there was something innocent about him, and his nature was kind. His warm-heartedness was completely free of pretension, to the point that he didn’t even know how to doubt others, yet somehow he’d survived in harsh New York without getting scammed even once.
Anyway, I felt a strong human affection toward this friend who still seemed untouched by the world. We hadn’t met through work, and we’d never had sex, but that was why I’d been the one to ask for his number first and occasionally met up with him.
“Liam’s not here yet?”
“He said he’d be a little late. Sounds like traffic’s really bad.”
“It really was awful. Let’s order first. What do you want? I’m paying. Order whatever you want.”
After choosing from the menu and calling over the waiter, Noah ordered onion soup and a sandwich with homemade ham, while I ordered French toast.
“Is the seat okay? The waiter said this was a good spot, so I sat us here.”
“Well, if you’re okay with it, Noah, then I don’t mind either.”
It was terrace seating exposed to the outdoors, so I’d considered moving inside, but the weather was too nice. I kept my attention fixed on Noah across from me, carefully avoiding even accidentally glancing toward the street.
Since I was wearing sunglasses, no one could easily tell where my eyes behind the dark lenses were directed, but this wasn’t some trick to secretly look at Eden every now and then.
Really. Truly. Absolutely not.
“Is the sunlight too strong? Then should we switch seats?”
“It’s fine. These sunglasses are a stylish form of restraint—meant to slightly contain my excessive charm.”
“They are stylish.”
I wiggled my brows and changed the subject.
“How’ve you been? How’s the new cohabitation life? Ah, before that, your boyfriend was seriously impressive. You two look good together. Then again, you’re impressive too.”
“Thank you for saying that, Somerset.”
“I’m just stating facts.”
The man I’d seen on Noah’s moving day recently had been a strikingly handsome man with a heavy presence. It was especially memorable how his sharp eyes softened only when they looked at his lover. Bright and cheerful Noah paired with that forceful man felt like light and darkness. Completely opposite, yet harmonizing as though they existed for each other and because of each other.
“Hearing someone wonderful call me wonderful really makes me happy. Somerset, will you acknowledge that you gave me happiness?”
Noah’s chatter made me laugh. This little animal-like friend had a remarkable talent for making people feel good.
“How could I not acknowledge it? The whole world already knows I’m a wonderful man.”
“That’s true. Exactly right.”
Noah instantly agreed with my arrogance. I chuckled along with his innocent smile just as Liam approached briskly while checking his watch.
“Driving here was a bad choice. Sorry I’m late.”
“I’m the one who came early.”
Noah gently dismissed his apology and gestured for him to sit beside him. For strategic reasons, I briefly considered making Liam sit next to me, but then thought, what would be the point? No matter what I did with another man, Eden Reed probably wouldn’t care in the slightest.
“You should bow flat before me. I won’t forgive you for being a whole minute late.”
Crossing my arms, I joked in a stern tone. Noah found it amusing, while Liam shook his head.
“What’s wrong with him?”
“I’m always impressed by Somerset’s wit.”
“You’ve got excellent taste. Since you understand my exceptional sense of humor, I’ll reward you with the opportunity to arrange our next meeting.”
“That’s not a reward, that’s a punishment.”
I stuck my tongue out at Liam for interrupting.
“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. The people capable of accomplishing that difficult feat… either exist or they don’t.”
Whether that person was Eden Reed or not.
Lunch with the two of them was satisfying. The weather was clear, the food tasted decent, and the conversation was pleasant. More than anything, I was satisfied that I was so absorbed in spending time with them that I wasn’t conscious of the black sedan parked by the roadside—or the man sitting inside it.
As the meal came to an end, my fork began moving more slowly, and I became lazy with chewing. It was because I wanted to hold onto the passing time.
But unless I destroyed the laws of the world, my wish could never come true. It would also be cruel to force Noah—who would soon return to the happy home he shared with the person he loved—to stay sitting in front of me. Besides, if I did that, Noah’s lover, who’d looked rather cold and forbidding, would probably threaten me.
So instead, I settled for bothering Liam. Noah had gone to the restroom.
“Did Racer contact you too? He said he really wants us at the party tonight.”
“Was that what the message said? I haven’t checked it yet.”
“Are you going?”
Liam looked indifferent. He seemed like he didn’t even intend to check the message itself. A guy who used to diligently show his face at any party hosted by someone even remotely famous had become strangely passive.
“Guess you’re not going.”
“I’m not really in the mood. I’m heading to my family home in LA tomorrow, so I need some rest too.”
“You’re not leaving for good, are you?”
“As if. Didn’t I tell you? The moment I set foot in New York, my hometown stopped being LA and became New York instead.”
“As someone born in New York, I’ve gotta say, that’s incredibly dramatic.”
LA-born Liam shrugged.
“Anyway, I’ll be gone for a few days. Don’t come over since the house will be empty. No one’s going to open the door no matter how long you wait.”
“What a shame. Going to your grandfather’s place? That strict grandfather who supposedly turned you into such a model citizen.”
“Did I really tell you that?”
“You did. When you were completely wasted. You also said he’s the one funding your business, so you have to stay on his good side. Before you become the obedient grandson who faithfully follows Grandpa’s every word, wouldn’t it be nice to have one last wild time?”
“No thanks.”
He cut off the idea of indulgence without the slightest hesitation. It looked like he was becoming a proper goody-two-shoes even without his strict grandfather keeping him in line. I turned to Noah, who had returned from the restroom by then.
“I think we should start calling him a saint now.”
When Noah tilted his head in confusion, Liam dismissed it as nonsense. He didn’t seem to want anyone noticing the changes he’d been going through like aftereffects from his roommate moving out. He shifted the topic to his upcoming trip to LA.
“Oh right, I’m heading home. Want me to bring you anything? I came back empty-handed last time, so don’t feel pressured.”
“Then could you get me a postcard? I want to write letters to my younger siblings.”
“I’ll get one that looks like something tourists would buy.”
“I’m good. You don’t need to bring me anything—just come back quickly.”
The reactions I received from my grinning comment were completely opposite. Liam looked annoyed, while Noah reacted warmly.
“I never even said I’d buy one for you.”
“Somerset is really kind. I want to become more like you. Hearing that makes me reflect on myself for asking for a postcard.”
“You’re misunderstanding, Noah. This bastard just wants a place to eat and sleep.”
“Correct. I already miss your house, my place of rest. Should I sleep over tonight?”
“Don’t say horrifying things.”
Maybe Noah thought the half-hearted yet sincere exchange between Liam and me was a joke, because he burst out laughing. I laughed along with him because I didn’t want to stain someone so pure.
“Hahaha.”
A little later, after promising to meet again, Noah left the restaurant first. As Liam stood to follow, I quickly grabbed the hem of his clothes and forced him back into his seat. When I ordered two more coffees, he frowned.
“Get rid of that habit of doing whatever you want.”
“When you go home, the only thing waiting for you is a thick book. Did you finish reading the one that gave you all those weird guidelines?”
“Yeah.”
“And now you’re reading another new one?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s dramatic. Someone would think you broke up with your lover.”
Liam Dalton distancing himself from alcohol, nightlife, and people, shutting himself away alone to read books and stare blankly into empty rooms. It was such an ill-fitting description for him that, combined with his defensive attitude, it felt suspicious somehow—but not enough to truly make me doubtful. So I’d only thrown the comment out jokingly.
But if Liam hadn’t flinched, I would’ve let it go.
“What was that reaction?”
I narrowed my eyes and scanned his face. The muscles around it looked stiff.
“No way…”
“Don’t say things you can’t handle.”
“Handling it wouldn’t be my job. You, Noah—… never mind. It’s nothing.”
Once I actually tried to say it, the words wouldn’t come out. Which made sense. Even if I asked whether he liked Noah, it was already over. Noah was immersed in peak happiness, dreaming of a future with his lover. There didn’t seem to be any hope left for Liam, who’d been left alone in the house they used to share.
“Don’t get stupid ideas. Watch your mouth.”
Even though I’d stopped myself before continuing, Liam warned me as if he’d read my thoughts. Seriously, he was quick to notice things.
“What?”
“Your guess is wrong. I already sorted it out.”
“So by ‘sorted it out,’ you mean it was true in the past, but not anymore.”
Liam didn’t deny my sharp observation, but he didn’t admit it either. Instead, he insisted on the innocence of the present.
“It’s clean. Just friendship.”
There was relief in him when he said it was all in the past. Not even the slightest trace of lingering doubt remained.
“It looks that way.”
At last, I felt like I understood the trigger behind the changes he’d been going through. It wasn’t lingering attachment to an unfulfilled love. It seemed he’d finally shaken off his feelings and gained the momentum to move on to the next stage.
