Just do it. Just go.
It had been a dog’s age since he last went to the monthly Sunday brunch for men of a certain standard. It was the kind of secret society that was right out in the open, in that the gentlemen met there in the city for light food and drinks while the rest of the world went on around them, but there was no name for it.Invite only. You have to be vetted by at least two other members.
Was he shocked to walk in with his jacket over his arm, only to find Liam Fucking Ashe conversing with two other men? No. Because Benson had been one of the men who sponsored Liam’s membership two years ago.
And he knew he was back in town.Back in town to ruin my life, probably.
Benson was cordial, though. There were more than enough members who came up to say hello and to ask how he had been doing, why he hadn’t been by in almost a year. He still paid dues to help the club secure its monthly meeting space and to sponsor certain activity nights at other places, but he saw it more as a service than a reason to go out on a Sunday morning. But without Eden to keep him company and without work to occupy his mind… Benson might as well get use out of his membership.
“Benson,” Liam said when a lull in conversation meant they stood near each other.
“Liam.”
More than one member looked between them before turning to another and whispering something. Benson ignored them.
“You still come here?” Liam asked.
“Of course I do. Granted, it’s been a while.”
“How long is a while?”
None of your business.“About a year. I’m trying to get involved again.”
“Good. Probably good for you, I mean. Fraternities are great.”
“Sure.”
They awkwardly stood near each other with drinks in their hands, Liam scanning the room for someone to talk to while Benson wondered when lunch began.God help us if we’re sitting next to each other.Odds were high they would sprint for different tables as soon as the gong rang. Already, Benson eyed a few men he wouldn’t mind catching up with as soon as they were available.Assuming I haven’t burned too many bridges.
“Staying away from my daughter?” Benson asked after sipping his drink.
“I try. I make no promises if she reaches out to Uncle Liam, though.”
“Don’t call yourself that. It sounds dirty.”
“Ben, you know I’m not interested in herlike that…”
He grunted.
“She’s much too young for me, for one thing. Then there was the whole knowing her when she was a kid part…”
“Just shut your mouth, man.”
Liam shrugged in defense. “Don’t worry about me. I’m seeing someone.”
“Good for you. So am I.”
“Good for you!”
They did, in fact, go to separate tables when the gong rang. Benson kept his back to the main room so he could focus on the gents sitting with him, where he caught up on some of the latest gossip while eating lunch and accepting another drink from the waiter making the rounds. By the end of the meal, Benson had a new client lead for work and had been invited to two parties thatmonth. Parties that he could not bring Eden to, but he might go, anyway.
He bumped into Liam at the bar near the entrance of the restaurant where they met. Benson was determined to head out, but Liam flagged him down, an apologetic look on his face.
“Look,” he said, stirring a packet of sugar into an iced tea, “I just want to apologize. For any awkwardness between us. I’m not helping by being a bit of an ass.”
Benson couldn’t help but raise both eyebrows. “Abit?”
“Yeah. If I’m going to be in town from now on, we should strike a truce. To be cordial.”