Chapter 5
The afternoon was sidling into evening as they arrived: a smoky cloud-patterned antique evening, drenched in tea and historic Georgian building façades and redemption. Stephen was out for at least another hour—post-match rambunctious drinks-fueled masculine bonding—and none of the staff was in evidence; Ben took both of Simon’s hands in his, at the base of the staircase, and said, “I’d marry you all over again. Any day. Every day.”
“I love that you would, but what’s prompted the declaration?”
“You. Just you.” He played with those hands in his, swung them a bit, lifted the right one. Kissed the back of Simon’s hand: knight to youthful lord. “You wouldn’t’ve even needed me.”
“I did,” Simon said. He still had Lisa’s makeup smudging his shoulder; that sweater might be beyond savi
