Liam needed to think before he spoke, after all. Because that made Benson’s face flash with anger.Great. Now I’ve pissed him off.
“I called you because I wanted you to know I was back in town.” Liam’s segue into another topic didn’t make Benson’s nostrils flare any less, “In case a situation like this arose. You and I… we both have the same tastes in things. Almost like that’s how we met.”
Benson’s hands were on his hips. “That’s it? That’s why you called my office? To say you’reback in town?”
“Would you rather this happened? You, walking in here, interrupting my date with a foxy lady so we could reminisce about the old times?”
“I’m not interested in reminiscing.”
“Well, neither am I.”
“Good.”
“Good!”
Liam was content to leave it at that, but Tom was right there, arms crossed as he glanced between them. “You two okay?”
“For fuck’s sake, Tom,” Benson said with a tired sigh. “Do you think we’re going to start fist-fighting here or something?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t put it past you two.”
“Hey.” Liam pointed a finger at the bartender. “We’ve had a lot of issues in the past, but not once did we ever put hands on each other. Besides…” He grinned. “I’m a lover, not a fighter. And Ben’s old.”
“Shut up.”
“How old are you now? Forty…five? Because you were forty when I bounced out of town.”
“That makes you thirty-five, now doesn’t it?”
“You’re right. I’m no longer the cute twenty-something that you met at an industry brunch one day and a sexy resort the next.” It was natural their paths would cross, despite not being in the same line of work.Investments of all kinds intersect.Liam had been invited by one of his old colleagues to attend the city’s exclusive monthly brunch that was all about finances, investments, and the economy. Benson was a member.We sat next to each other. Then we had cigars together.They had been inseparable all day, forging a friendship based on similar humor and tastes for the finer things. Next thing Liam knew…
The two of them were getting into all sorts of trouble. Good trouble.Enough trouble that I was on a first-name basis with his ex-wife and daughter.Drew had adored him. Leaving her behind had been as difficult as realizing that there was nothing left to say to Benson.Made moving easy, though!
“So, how are things?” Liam stopped him before Benson walked away with his drink. “You remarried yet?” No, he hadn’t seen a wedding ring on Ben’s finger, but that didn’t mean anything.
“Can’t say I am. You?”
“Obviously not, dude.”
Those nostrils twitched again. “I have no complaints about my personal life. I doubt you will, either.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Lots of people have transitioned in and out of the area. Should be a whole new crop of women for you to slobber over.”
“Ah, man, after you’re done with them, though?”
“I hear you’re into that.”
Liam almost choked on the drink he had been sipping when he heard that. “Ben!” He waved Tom away when he came overto see if he needed help. “You naughty boy!” Here came his best impression of a scandalized Southern woman.My great-aunt Gertrude. That’s who I am.“You simply cannotgo around saying such scandalous things, sweetheart. Why, bless your heart, but some things are not palpable for public company!”
“Don’t call me sweetheart.”
Liam pouted. “That’s it? That’s what you’re bitching about from that?”
“I’ve gotta go.” Benson had no other response. “Let’s try not to bump into each other too much.”
“Right on it.” Liam stared at the bottles behind the bar until he felt Benson’s presence dissipate. Only then did he allow his shoulders to sag and his eyes to contact Tom’s. “I don’t wanna hear it.”