The affair had been going on happily for two weeks, though only under a myriad of ground rules, all set by Maggie. No commitment, no expectations. No dates or gifts. Four weeks, and we’d go our separate ways. The biggest rule — we had to keep it a secret. Because of West, she’d said, and she was right. If he ever found out, he might never speak to me again. That is, if he let me live. And he was the best friend I’d ever had.
I’d agreed to her terms without thinking twice.
I’d been doing the ‘no strings’ thing my entire life, but I should have known it wouldn’t be easy with Maggie.
“Cooper?”
It was nearly dark, and I looked up to find Lily and West arm in arm-in-front of me — West, tall and dark, hair tied in a knot, smiling at me from behind his beard, and Lily, tall and fair, eyeing me suspiciously.
I smiled back to cover my surprise. “What’s up, guys?”
“Hey,” West said. “We’re just heading to Habits.”
Lily’s eyes narrowed. “What are you doing over here?”
I shrugged and lied. “I was on my way to see if you guys were home—”
“Then why are you going the wrong way?”
“You didn’t let me finish. You weren’t at West’s, so I left. Was just about to text.”
West started walking and clapped me on the shoulder when he approached. “Well, now you don’t have to.”
Lily was still maddogging me. “Who doesn’t text first?”
“Me.” I smirked at her and winked as we walked toward the bar. “What are you guys doing tonight?”
West pulled Lily a little closer. “Probably just Habits for a bit, then home.”
I made a face. “But it’s Saturday night.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, well, not everyone parties every weekend like rock stars.”
“What do you mean? That’s exactly what everyone our age does on the weekend, rock stars or not.”
Lily leaned into West. “I’ve got to work tomorrow at ten-thirty. West can go out though.”
I shook my head. “She gave you permission, man.”
He laughed. “No, thanks. She’s been at the theater almost every night, and tonight I’ve got her to myself. You’re on your own, pal.”
I smiled, wondering if I could get Maggie to come over just as my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a text from Jules, my assistant. She’d been organizing my life for me since I was seven.
Hey, just a reminder about the photo shoot with W Magazine. They said they’d meet you at the marina at 4:30 tomorrow to set up on Midnight Caller.
I sighed. I hadn’t told anyone about my nomination for W’s twenty-five most eligible bachelors, mostly because West would never let me hear the end of it once he found out. I wasn’t even sure why I’d agreed. I think I’d been so surprised that I didn’t even consider turning it down. Although if I’d have known they wanted to shoot on my sailboat, I might have refused.
I texted her back. Thanks for keeping me honest.
Somebody has to. I emailed you a list of their requirements. Sure you don’t want me to come with you?
Nah, I can handle it.
All right. The journalist is Elena. The stylist will have all the clothes, so just show up in whatever.
Naked, then. Got it.
I’m sure the photographer will be pleased. Really, though. Try to keep your pants on.
No promises.
Ha, ha. Let me know if you need anything.
Will do.
I hesitated with my phone in my hand. West and Lily were chatting, which meant they weren’t paying attention to me. I stared at my screen for a moment before pulling up Maggie’s name.
I found myself smirking as I typed a message. Just ran into West and Lily.
My phone buzzed within a second. WHAT?
Don’t worry, secret’s still safe. We’re going to Habits. Come meet us.
My phone was painfully silent for a few seconds. Didn’t you see enough of me tonight?
No such thing.
She was quiet again before it buzzed. I don’t know. I really need to paint my nails. Maybe wash my hair. I’ve been meaning to rearrange my sock drawer too. It’s a mess in there.
Come on. I’ll buy you a bourbon.
Pretty sure that’s a direct violation of the rules. No dates, and no buying me stuff.
Don’t make me beg, Mags. I realized I was holding my breath.
But it’s so cute when you beg.
I smiled. It’s so cute when you give me what I want.
You’re impossible lol. Let me get dressed and I’ll be there in a few.
If you’re still in your bathrobe, I think you should come just as you are.
I’m sure my brother will think that’s adorable. Now quit distracting me so I can get down there.
Hurry.
I slipped my phone in my pocket just as we walked through the heavy wooden door and into Habits. The bar was right around the corner from West and Lily’s building. Between the proximity to their place and the fact that Lily and Maggie’s roommate, Rose, was a bartender, we ended up there. A lot.
It was an old building with planked wooden floors and a dark bar balanced by clean white tile walls and big windows that faced the street. The food was good, and the drinks were strong. But the company was the best part.
We’d been hanging at Habits for years, ever since West moved in with Patrick after we left our dorm at Columbia. Once Lily moved in with Rose, the Habits crew was really born. Rose had been working at Habits as long as any of us knew her, and everyone gravitated there, including me. It was the first time in my life that I had a group of friends who were … normal, for lack of a better word. No trust funds, no ski trips to Switzerland or benders in the Riviera. And their normalcy made me feel normal. For a while, at least.
Rose stood behind the bar, her long, shaggy hair hanging down her back, which was to Patrick. She was very busy lining up shot glasses and ignoring him. In true fashion, he was watching her with dark eyes, like she was the most interesting thing he’d ever seen or ever would see. I could feel the heat from across the room as he wrapped his tattooed fingers around his glass and brought it to his lips.
I took a seat at the far end of the bar next to Patrick as Lily leaned over to kiss Rose on the cheek.
“Hey, Rosie. You guys are dead tonight. It’s too quiet in here.”
“Tell me about it. I’m watching the clock in ten minute intervals.” Rose jerked her chin at West and me, smiling with her hands on her hips. “What’s up, guys? Whatcha drinking? The usual, Coop?”
“Please.”
She reached for a rocks glass. “Whiskey or beer, West? We finally got Bulleit in.”
He smiled and took a seat on the other side of Patrick. “I can’t say no to rye whiskey. I’ll take it neat.”
“You’ve got it.” She got to work making drinks. “Thank God you guys are here because I needed some company. Bob’s not big on conversation.”
We all turned to glance at Bob, who seemed to be napping on his usual high-top bar table in the corner.
West shook his head, chuckling. “That’s the cardinal rule of public drinking. The minute you put your head down, the end.”
Rose waved a hand. “He’s harmless. Plus he’s nice to everybody, and he’s a damn good tipper. As far as I’m concerned, he can pass out in Habits any time he wants.”