I squinted at her. “You really get far too much enjoyment from my anguish. But God, yes, you’re coming. I’ll need all the moral support I can get.”

Merry shook her head sadly. “I’m not going for moral support, honey. I’m going because if it’s an utter train wreck, I want first row seats. And if I have to hear about it for the next five years of my life, I’d rather be an actual witness so I will know if I have to be supportive or if I need to tell you to pull your head out of your arse.”

I considered arguing, but everything she just said was pretty much true. “Fair enough.”

Angus was positively glowing. “Well, I hate to bail on you guys, but I just had a better offer, so I’ll um… be heading into the city. I probably won’t be home till morning. Just so you know.”

“And as much as I’d like to inhale a bottle of vodka right now,” I said. “I think we need to go back to your place and talk, yeah?”

Hennessy smiled. “Yeah.”

I put my hand up to get the waiter’s attention. “Can we have the bill, please?”

As soon as Hennessy opened the door to his townhouse, my nerves were back. But it was different this time. I wasn’t nervous or anxious wondering what his expectations were on a physical relationship. I was nervous because I was about to tell him how I felt about him. But I was excited too. It wasn’t lost on me what he’d said in the group meeting, in front of everyone. He’d said he couldn’t hate me when he was in love with me.

“So?” he said, throwing his keys and wallet on his table. “Angus, huh? What are the chances?”

“I know! How freaking freaky is that?” I replied. “Do you really think… do they…?” I sighed. “I worry about him. He’s just a teddy bear who some people might take advantage of. And he’s not stupid. I mean, he sees the best in people and he has a heart of gold and I’d hate to see him get hurt. I think he’s really falling for them, and I have no idea about the dynamics of throuples, but I—”

Hennessy put his finger to my lips, then replaced them with a soft kiss. “Michael and Vee are two of the best people I know. They’re kind and decent, and there’s probably not a better couple suited for Angus. Michael told me weeks ago about the loving two people thing, long before we knew it was Angus. And if Michael says he loves someone, it’s with all his heart. He and Veronica are devoted to each other, and if they’ve introduced a third person, then I can only imagine they’ll be equally devoted to him.”