Matt and Jake lived in a stunning former workman’s cottage in Stockport that they had lovingly restored and decorated as only two affluent gay men could do.

Matt Pearce was her best friend from uni. They’d both graduated with honours in their business studies degrees and stayed in Manchester after graduation. By then, Matt and Jake were in a serious relationship. Stephanie stayed because she couldn’t face starting anywhere new again, certainly not without Matt, who had become the closest friend she’d ever had.

Despite Matt’s sexuality, she’d never admitted to him her doubts about her own and her fears for what it would mean for her life. He’d asked her outright once, drunk at a party, and she’d lied. It was the only time she’d ever lied to him, and he never brought it up again.

Stephanie rang the doorbell to the cottage at just after seven. Matt ushered her in from the cold and grabbed at the wine she held out.

“Shiraz, fabulous. Jake’s doing some fancy beef stew, so this will be perfect, thanks.”

She leaned in for the proffered hug and allowed herself to be held tight and rocked ever so slightly. She and Matt were the same height, so she rested her chin on his shoulder as he squeezed her gently. She pulled back before the tears fell. They’d been threatening ever since she left work. Probably since about four o’clock, if she was honest.

She’d had a follow-up meeting with Lou on the new project, and it had been so hard. She’d tried to tell herself that Lou looked no more gorgeous in dress-down black skinny jeans and a long-sleeved, figure-hugging white tee shirt. It had a V-neck that dipped down just low enough to give a hint of…other things. When she reached for her highlighter pen, the muscles across her shoulders and back had moved beneath the taut fabric. Stephanie’s mouth had gone dry, and she’d wondered what that muscle definition must look like naked. And then she’d nearly choked on her thoughts.

They’d talked for about an hour, and Stephanie had tried to be friendly. She’d asked if Lou had any plans for the weekend and had been met with a look of hurt and a mumbled response about “doing some stuff around the flat.” It was so hard to know she was the cause of Lou’s pain. Shortly after that, she had left, feeling miserable and without saying much of a goodbye. She’d returned to her office, shut the door, and sat with her head in her hands, trying—and failing dismally—to stop the crazy swirl of thoughts and emotions consuming her brain.

She stepped away from Matt without meeting his gaze and walked through the open lounge to the kitchen area beyond, where Jake pulled her into an equally close hug.