My mind strays to what Harry said. There was a smidgeon of truth in his analysis of my relationship with Misha, and it jabs. Misha and I do rely on each other, sometimes to the exclusion of others. We always have done. He’s the first person I turn to with anything, and he’s the same with me.

Misha’s my best friend and the best part of my life. But that also means trouble, because I want a relationship with a man someday. A true partnership like my dad has with Aidan and Jesse has with Zeb. I want someone to laugh with and talk to late at night. I want someone to snuggle up to on a cold night and someone safe enough to have rows with.

But I need to come to terms with the fact that if I’m to have a successful relationship, I have to let go of some of my closeness with Misha. I have to replace him with the faceless man of my dreams.

I sigh silently as I rest my head on his shoulder, and we look out to sea. The trouble is that I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to lose Misha. Which leaves me where? I roll my eyes. A mess as usual.

Chapter Six

Misha

I sense trouble as soon as Charlie and Harry come into the bar. I’m standing near the huge fireplace warming my backside and cradling a glass of malt whisky when they appear.

Charlie arrives first. He’s dressed in black skinny jeans with a tight black jumper, and he’s carrying the grey tweed coat that I bought him for Christmas last year. His hair has been slicked back and he looks unusually sleek. Harry arrives a few minutes later dressed all in black, including his expression. He looks like someone has vomited into his underwear.

I repress a smile. I’m not sure why it makes me so happy that they’re having problems. Maybe my mum is right, and I need to start aligning my chakras because my personality is obviously on a downturn if I don’t want my best friend to be happy.

My inner smile drops a peg or two when I think of how I’d found him on the beach this evening. He’d looked sad and worried, and I couldn’t stand it. I’ve never been able to cope with Charlie being unhappy. It throws my whole world out. However, helping Charlie be with that wanker Harry would do the opposite of making him happy.

I throw my drink back, savouring the peaty burn, and watch Jamie the birthday boy greeting Charlie as enthusiastically as a golden retriever. There’s something rather endearing about Jamie. He met Charlie on a fundraising day for public libraries. Get Charlie on the subject of the shortfalls in library budgets. I dare you. He’s loudly passionate.