Page 47 of Convenient Rivals

“What’s wrong with me going to see Gregory? He wants to show me the new venue he’s opening in the city.”

“Sure, keep telling yourself that.”

“What are you going on about?”

“You’re in love with him.”

Thankfully, he hadn’t been drinking his coffee this time, but he still had a coughing fit. Was she insane?

“I’m not in love with him,” he whispered.

“I think the lady doth protest too much.”

“I’m not protesting any... Oh, you’re good. Bitch!”

She laughed, but then looked at him seriously again. It was her big-sister face, even though she was three months younger than he was.

“Just be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“He’s made his feelings for me very clear. I know this is one-sided, so I’m not getting my hopes up about anything.”

She raised an eyebrow at him, which was code for “what the fuck” and he couldn’t even argue with her. Yes, he wanted more from Gregory, but if frenemies with benefits was all he was going to get, he’d take it for as long as he could get it.

Oscar was excited to see a much needed queer venue in the heart of the city. Financial services was still one of those industries which was very straight, white, middle-class, and male oriented – Oscar knew that because he was in the sector – and many of the FTSE 100 was based within the square mile. Things had changed, though, and the sector was becoming representative. Having an openly gay CEO wasn’t unheard of, but they still often looked like Oscar: white, privileged, and could pass for straight. There was still a long way to go.

It was mid-morning, and given it was a Monday and the first week back after the holidays, the city was quiet. Hybrid working was the norm now, and the start and end of the week were often dead.As Threadneedle Street met Bishopsgate, Oscar stopped and looked at the venue. It was boarded up at the front for the renovations, but the logo was on display: Knights Corner. Such a perfect name. Gregory had mentioned it was Jason who’d come up with it. He’d also been the one to name Gregory’s company, Legs Up. It was a shame he hadn’t known Jason when he started his own company. Montgomery Equity sounded a little egotistical.

There was a wooden door cut into the boarding, which was open. Workmen were outside on a cigarette break, but you could still hear the banging of building work going on inside.

“I’m here to see Gregory,” he said.

One guy looked at him and shrugged. Okay, so anyone could walk in here. He’d have to say something. Word was already out that they were opening a queer venue, and there had been some derogatory comments on the bar’s social media pages. Was it even classed as a bar, as they were providing a full dining service?

Walking inside, he was blown away. There were floor-to-ceiling windows on one side, which would flood the place with light once the boards came down, and the other side had smaller windows and booths, giving an element of privacy to those who didn’t want to be exposed. The layout had been considered with sensitivity. There was also a long bar across the back, which curved round the corner, and the building work noise was coming from behind the bar, which could be where the kitchen was based. It was a big plot, and he already knew it would be impressive when it was done. Even if it wasn’t owned by someone he knew, Oscar would still have come to a place like this for his business meetings in the city, especially with his queer clients.

“Oscar, what are you doing here?”

Langdon startled Oscar, as he hadn’t seen him walk in.

“I’m meeting Gregory here.”

“If you go round the side of the bar, you’ll find a corridor to some offices. He’ll be down there somewhere.”

“Thanks.”

Oscar walked in that direction, but stopped when Langdon called out his name. He turned to see the guy, who was hot as hell, with his tattooed muscular arms showing and the tight black T-shirt practically painted on his broad chest. All of Gregory’s brothers were hot in their different ways. The scowl on Langdon’s face did nothing to make him less hot.

“Fuck him over, and you’ll have me to deal with,” said Langdon.

“Noted,” he replied.

What else could he say? He had no intention of fucking anyone over, and chances are he could give Langdon a run for his money if things got physical, but he had no interest in doing that. All he wanted to do was talk to Gregory. His head was still spinning from everything he’d learned today, and he needed someone with a level head who would be calm and considered. With business decisions, Oscar could be logical even if he had a strong view, but he was often implusive if his emotions got the better of him.

He went through the door into the corridor, and saw a worker attaching a dado rail. Was that still a thing? Who was he to question design decisions? There were four rooms off the corridor. One looked like storage, another was a bathroom – perhaps that was for the staff – then there were two offices, both a generous size. The first was empty, but in the other was Gregory. He was hunched over his laptop, deep in concentration, his brow furrowed as his fingers flew over the keyboard. He was wearing one of his bow ties, and looked both adorable and competent in that way which was incredibly sexy. Oscar just watched him for a minute. After a while, Gregory must have realised someone else was there and he looked up, frowning with irritation, but as soon as he saw it was Oscar, a smile lit up his face. That had to mean something, didn’t it? Oscar didn’t want to get his hopes up, but the fact Gregory was happy to see him gave him far too many feelings.

“How did it go?” asked Gregory.

“He confirmed everything you told me.”

---