Page 110 of Untether

‘No we weren’t,’ I lie, because that evening was pretty uncomfortable. I didn’t know how to act around Aida, and Maddy shot her mouth off, which didn’t help. ‘But yeah, you do. You’ll see her at your engagement drinks.’

Rafe rolls his eyes. ‘Like I’ll be able to enjoy catching up with my mates then. I’ll be too busy trying to play nicely for Belle’s dad and his cronies so he doesn’t disown her and ruin her life because she’s too good a person to cut him off like she should.’

I grimace. ‘And we don’t mention the A-word, right?’

‘No. Alchemy doesn’t exist.’ He sighs. ‘I dislike the lying, but there is no point in rubbing salt in the wound by tellingBelle’s parents that the guy who corrupted and stole their darling daughter also runs a sex club. It would finish off their relationship once and for all.’

‘I totally agree,’ Maddy says. She’s known Belle since their school days, so, aside from Rafe, she’s probably the best qualified of us all to weigh in. ‘Belle’s come so far since she started dating you, Rafe. Her parents know meddling in your relationship won’t get them anywhere. They’re just about holding down a civilised relationship now, so for God’s sake, let’s try to keep it that way.’

‘Agreed,’ Rafe says. ‘Still think Dex should swing by when he’s in town. I’d like to get him on board with me and Belle properly.’

‘Dex issuperhot,’ Maddy muses, earning her a scowl from Zach. ‘All Belle’s school friends were in love with him. And he’s kind of fucked up, which is always a turn on.’

‘Only if you’re dysfunctional,’ Zach growls.

‘Alas, women always go for fucked-up guys,’ she sighs, but she’s too nice to make a meaningful face at her boyfriend, because he was the epitome of fucked up when they got it on.

I narrow my eyes in amused suspicion. ‘Did you and Dex ever…’

‘God, no,’ she says. ‘Not for lack of trying, though. He’s six years older than us, so he had no time for Belle’s silly little friends. He moved to New York when we were around sixteen, I think. More’s the pity.’

‘And then you went for someone properly old,’ I point out, and we all laugh. We may be the same age as Rafe, but that’s not the point.

‘Changing the subject,’ Zach says through gritted teeth, ‘what’s up next for you and your very hot new girlfriend?’

Rafe replies before I can. ‘If you’d told me six monthsago that Cal had fallen for one of the smartest people on television, I’d have laughed in your face.’

‘Same, mate,’ Zach says, though he’s grinning now. ‘But what’s even more insane is that she’s fallen for our Cal. Right?’

They’re right. Obviously. It hits me like a tonne of bricks over and over.

I make Aida Russell happy.

It’s fucking insane.

I’d say I’m the least cerebral of the lot of us. I’m a pretty straightforward guy, and I know how to have a laugh. What you see is what you get with me.

Who knew that would be what she wanted?

‘Knock it off,’ Gen says sharply. ‘Yeah, they’re opposites, but you could say the same for all of you. And probably me and Anton, too. So be happy for them.’

‘Sorry,’ they murmur in unison.

‘Obviously, we’re thrilled for you, mate,’ Zach says, looking a little stricken. ‘She’s one hell of a lucky woman.’

‘Thanks,’ I say.

‘Yeah,’ Rafe chimes in. ‘We didn’t mean—we love you, bro. She has fucking good taste, if you ask me.’

I know they’re happy for me—ribbing each other relentlessly is what we do. And I get it—it’s really fun to watch your friends fall head over heels for someone you would never in a million years have matched them with.

I guess that’s one of the beautiful mysteries of love. Another, it seems, is thinking you’re the luckiest bastard in the world. Being totally bewildered that you get to be with this unique, captivating person and—and this is the really weird bit—knowing that, by some crazy magic, they feel exactly the same about you.

What’s up with that?

It blows my mind, actually.

So when Zach tells me Aida’s a lucky woman, I find myself hoping that he’s not just saying that as my loyal friend. I want nothing more than to make her feel like thehappiestwoman in the world every day. And if that also makes her feellucky, I’ll take it.

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