Zach battled bubbles in his stomach and then burst. “Tell me about this Oz thing?”
Cameron’s attention snapped to him. He looked a little startled. “Sorry?”
“Brandy has layers and I want to strip them all off.”
Henry started to cough at Cameron’s side, and Cameron and Brandy gaped at him.
Cameron recovered first, pushing up his glasses. “Metaphorically?”
“Of course metaphorically. I don’t need instructions on how to do it literally.” He grabbed Cameron’s arm, pleading. “I bet you know him the best in this world.”
Brandy beheld him with surprise and wonder and Zach snapped to him with a bite in his voice. “Don’t look like that.”
“Like . . . what?”
“Like you’re clueless.”
“Clueless about what, exactly?”
“Brandy! You’re my best friend. I’ve never . . . and now I have, and I just . . . I need to know everything.” Zach hadn’t realised how close they stood. Or that he was gripping Brandy’s lapels.
He let go jerkily and rocked back on his heels.
A swift flush choked his throat.
He pulled at his neckcloth for air and glanced at Cameron, whose mouth had dropped open. “Sorry. I’m acting insane.” Zach fingered his forehead, shielding the embarrassment on his face.
He’d never really . . .
So this is what mortification felt like.
“What is happening to me? Your brother . . . Fuck, I’m sorry. I meant to say hello, not grill you.” He dropped his hands and grinned sheepishly.
Cameron continued to gape, and then turned to Brandy and pummelled his arm. “You left a few key details out, Brandy.”
Brandy laughed and rubbed his nape.
Cameron turned back to him. “We should do coffee sometime. I’ll tell you all his embarrassing childhood stories.”
Zach hauled Cameron into a hug. They were gonna be friends too, he could feel it.
As Zach pulled back, a familiar profile flashed in his peripheral vision.
Dark hair, manicured nails, and disgust on her face. Oh, shit. What the hell was Francesca doing here?
He pivoted, scanning the crush.
Brandy pressed close to his side. “Are you okay?”
Had Noah seen her yet?
He steered through the crowd, searching, Brandy close behind. There, coming through the main doors, windswept. Noah raced to meet him.
“Francesca’s here,” he hissed.
Noah embraced him. “Yes, I’m aware. I’m fine. Look, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
“We just arrived.”
“I went back to the lockers to text—”
A deep laugh had him spinning. Zach followed his gaze, his eyes landing on a golden god, head thrown up towards a chandelier. Light dappled him and his matching gold waistcoat.
Zach was hurtling through dresses before his surprise had even registered. “Jack!”
Jack’s laughter died; his eyes connected with Zach’s as he cut through the last meters.
“Zach. Hey,” he said. Like he’d swallowed chalk.
“How did you get tickets? I was going to invite you.”
A golden-haired goddess in an emerald gown sidled to Jack’s elbow, smiling tightly. Zach’s stomach dipped. “Your sister?”
Jack flushed, jaw working hard.
“Girlfriend,” the goddess replied.
Zach rocked back on his heels, stare boring into Jack’s dark, downturned gaze. “Jack?”
“Who is this?” the goddess murmured.
“Ah, he’s a friend.”
One step back, two, three.
Zach laughed, tightly. Any moment now, his heart would shatter, bleed out. Any moment. “Was this the ‘work’ you had to do?”
No answer.
“Don’t call me back.” His stupid voice broke.
Brandy bumped up to his side, a silent I’m here if you need me.
Jack whispered in the ear of the goddess and she turned away, spreading a fan. He caught Zach’s eye and strode forward.
Zach shook his head, betrayal gumming his throat.
And then . . . then Brandy stepped in front of him. A mystical shield of protection.
“Don’t come near him.” The force of Brandy’s voice halted Jack. Nearby guests turned and stared. Zach’s heart thundered.
“I—”
“Don’t.”
And Jack didn’t. He stumbled back a step, a mere mortal. Blond hair almost mousy now Zach looked again.
Shivers rolled through him. Swiftly he turned, legged it out of the ballroom with Noah at his heels, and sagged against a wall in the cool, empty corridor.
“Zach . . . I’m sorry.”
He laughed tightly.
He sensed Brandy in the shadows.
How dare Jack sully the word ‘friend’. How dare he make him hate it—even for a moment—when a true friend stood right there, always ready to catch him.
Zach reached out for Brandy and Noah stole close for a hug. He accepted the embrace, staring at Brandy’s solemn face over Noah’s shoulder.
He croaked, “I know we just got here . . .”
Brandy nodded. “I’ll drive you home.”
Noah and Brandy detoured briefly to get their gear, and Zach tumbled into the passenger seat and rested his head against the window. The world was black, black, and more black.
Brandon opened the driver’s door, a bright light. “I checked with Josh; we can return these clothes tomorrow.”
The drive was quiet. The sea gleamed, peaceful in the night, and the curves in the road lulled Zach close to sleep.
Noah rubbed his shoulders from the backseat, and Zach clasped a hand over one of his. “Sorry I ruined your evening.”
