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Cass frowns and I immediately feel bad for blurting out my thoughts, especially since I hardly know the guy. Amber once told me her brother would probably never settle down, and Ben has said enough to make me think Duncan is as much a manwhore as he and Seb are. However, a couple of conversations with Duncan and tidbits of information from Amber and Ben hardly qualify me as an expert on his character.
“I’m sorry. You caught me off guard. I really don’t know him well enough,” I say. “I’m probably wrong.”
“No.” Cass looks down at her manicured hands for a moment before looking back up at me. “You’re right. He’s the love ‘em and leave ‘em type. But he hasn’t left me yet. I really like him, Lainey.”
I’m nervous for her, but I smile and try to push the doubts from my mind.
“And I’m sure he’s thinking about committing to me because he invited me here tonight so he can tell his friends about us,” she says.
“Well, that’s great!”
Cass is one of my favourite people, and even though I never would have picked Duncan as a match for her, I want to see them together if he makes her happy. That said, I’m not sure Saturday night—‘guy’s night’—is the best time to spill the beans.
“Duncan isn’t sure how Ben and Sebastian are going to take things.”
That makes two of us, but I can’t say that to her. “There’s only one way they should take it, and that’s to be happy for the two of you.”
Her smile is a little sad. “I would have thought so, too, but Duncan tells me the three of them are—were—confirmed bachelors, ready to party and hook up until the day they die.”
“Ben dated Amber for a year. He might have spent the rest of his life with her if she and Lucas had been able to fight their attraction to one another.”
“That’s just one more reason why Duncan is worried. Ben’s pretty down on love at the moment. He’s all about ‘dicks before chicks’ and all this other stuff about ‘bro codes’.” Cass makes air quotes around the terms she would never usually use. “Duncan is pretty sure Ben is going to flip out and go off the deep end about it.”
“Even if he does in the beginning, hopefully he’ll quickly realise that he doesn’t want to stand in the way of his friend’s happiness. If Duncan doesn’t want to go out to hook up anymore because he likes you, it’s hardly a violation of the bro code.”
“I know. Ben should be happy for him.”
“Totally. Friends are supposed to support each other.”
“And normally they’re very good at doing that. But when they’ve had something happen to turn them against love, or they’re heartbroken, it may not be as easy for them.”
For a moment I think she’s still talking about Ben, but she’s studying me, her gaze gentle, and I realise she’s referring to me.
“Cass, I’m happy for you, really. I don’t know how you could think I might not be.”
“You’ve been depressed and heartbroken for months. You can’t blame me for being a little worried you might not jump for joy at the news.”
I reach out and put my hand on her arm. “I will always be happy for you if you’re happy.”
“I’ve just been so worried about you these past months. The only person who seems to have been able to pull you out of your funk is Ben.”
“He has helped,” I agree.
He’s been a great friend to me this past month, giving me advice, helping me install my cheap alarm system, and having a weekly drink with me at Barnaby’s. I text him if I’m having a bad day, and he calls me back. I look forward to any time we spend together—in person or on the phone.
“He’s been able to help you in a way I haven’t,” Cass says. “And Duncan thinks you’ve been helping Ben just as much. It’s actually why we wanted to tell both of you tonight. He thinks Ben will take the news better if you’re around.”
“I’m not sure you’re right, but I’ll do my best to make sure he doesn’t flip out. Especially since it seems I owe you for making you worry about me. I really wish you’d been able to tell me all this sooner, Cass.”
My friend’s expression is apologetic. “I wasn’t sure that what was happening between Duncan and I was going to last for any length of time. I mean, at first I thought I was a one-night stand. But then one night became two nights, which became three, which became—”
I put my hand up to stop her. “I get it.”
“I’ve only just started thinking this might be serious. This whole telling-the-friends-thing is a big step for him. I’m still kind of waiting for him to turn around and say it’s all a big mistake and he wants to go back to sleeping with a different woman every night.”
It’s odd for me to see Cass unsure of anything. She’s one of the most confident people I know. I want to reassure her, but Duncan walks up behind her before I can.
“Evening, ladies.”
