“The night you met her. While she was on stage.”

Dammit, Past Willow.

He dug his fork into his salmon and began to eat.

“Willow?”

Psycho looked nervously between him and Derek like he was their kid.

Willow dropped his fork with a sigh. “Look, I want this, okay? I want her. And I have a good feeling about it, so chill.”

Derek gave a low growl. “Fine. Do whatever crazy shit you want, but don’t come crying to me when it goes to hell.”

“I won’t. Because it’s not. I bet anything I have that it all works out.”

Derek flashed him a shark’s smile. “What about your Lambo?”

Psycho gasped.

Willow ran his tongue over his teeth. His acid green sports car was his pride and joy, the first cockhead purchase he’d allowed himself after years of saving and sound investments. “The Lambo?”

“Having doubts? Wondering if maybe you’re rushing into a stupid situation like an impulsive fuckhead?”

Willow remembered the way Eden looked when he’d found her at Heartbreakers. The way she’d curled into his chest. Fuck Derek. He held out a hand. “Done. But when Eden and I seal the deal, I get your G-Wagon.”

A muscle in Derek’s jaw twitched. His Benz was cheaper than the Lambo, but Derek had customised the fuck out of it. It was his baby.

“Having doubts? Wondering if maybe I’m acting differently because Eden is different? And she’s the one and we’re going to end up together?”

“Considering you can’t get her to text you back? Not really.” He reached for Willow’s hand then retracted it. “Hang on, the deal is you get the girl, and you keep her for a year, minimum. Then you win.”

“What if we get married or have babies first?”

“Fine. Fucking whatever.”

“Don’t ‘whatever’ me. If you agree to the terms, you’re a hundred percent on.” He reached for Derek’s hand, but his mate slapped him away. “If I find out you’re faking it with Eden, pretending to have a relationship when nothing’s happening, I’ll take your Lambo, burn down all your houses and kick you in the nuts.”

“Fair.” Willow went to shake Derek’s hand before quickly pulling it back.

“Cockhead!”

“I just remembered something. I wanna bring Eden to the wedding. That’s part of the deal.”

Derek scowled. “Absolutely not.”

“Oh, come on! Everyone else gets a plus one. Psycho gets a plus one for whatever random asshole he feels like bringing.”

“Oi!”

Willow ignored his friend. “I want to bring Eden. Even if it’s just a clout thing for her career, I’m a groomsman and I’m owed a date.”

Derek sighed. “I’ll talk to Mara and—”

“Thanks, buddy. Love you.” Willow clasped Derek’s hand and shook it. “Alright, wish me luck.”