Chapter 6

Prin had taken the table at the rear of the coffee shop. As it was early for a Friday, there weren't many other customers other than a group of schoolkids and a couple of people on their own. The kids were more interested in being the loudest in the group than anything Prin was up to. As for the others, they were focused solely on their laptops.

Nervously, Prin sipped his hot chocolate.

The door opened and Scott walked in. Butterflies swarmed inside Prin. The whole thing had him on edge. Scott's model looks didn't help either.

Scott noticed him and came over. "Prin?"

"That's right."

Scott dropped his bag and sat down. Prin barely met his gaze.

Maybe this was a bad idea. It's too bloody late now.

He shifted in his seat.

"Can I get you anything?"

"No thanks," Scott replied. "I've got to go home and log on after this. How did you get out early without raising suspicion?"

"I often work from home so it wasn't a big deal," Prin replied.

Scott looked at him expectantly. For some reason, Prin had no idea how to begin.

"It's probably nothing?—"

"I hope not," Scott interjected. "I've had a shit day. I'm banking on you making it a better one."

Prin had been right. Scott was a self-absorbed queen. He should never have listened to bloody Colin.

"I…"

Scott held up his hands. "I'm sorry," he said. "My stupid mouth. I didn't mean to sound like an arsehole. The truth is, I have a humdinger of a hangover. But I have no right to take it out on you. Can we start over?"

Prin's nanny always used to say to him that he shouldn't judge other people's actions until he had an idea of what they were going through. Perhaps Prin had Scott wrong after all.

"I'd like that. Are you sure I can't order you a drink?"

"Go on then," Scott said. "I'll have a flat white. It'll give me the final hit of caffeine to get me home."

Prin caught the eye of the barista. "Flat white, please."

"Sure thing."

Prin turned to Scott.

Fuck he's too handsome to concentrate.

"Okay," Scott said. "Let's have it straight. I promise you it won't go any further unless you want it to. I think I signed something when I joined that says you can sue me if I tell a soul other than a priest or a dog."

Scott giggled to himself. Prin took a deep breath. This time he properly regarded the man across from him. His eyes were the most vivid blue Prin had ever experienced. Something radiated from him that gave Prin the trust he'd needed to attack this head on.

"My boss is Richard Brammin."

"You have my sympathy."

Prin smiled. "His son, Elliott, works in my team. You probably already know that."

"Yeah. I've had the pleasure of dealing with him. Thick and arrogant. The worst combination going."

"Agreed," Prin said, relaxing a little. "Well yesterday he was booking a holiday. I know there's nothing wrong in that. I guess his manner caught my attention. I overheard his conversation. I wasn't eavesdropping or anything."

The barista placed a cup down in front of Scott and left them to it. Prin waited until he was out of earshot.

"He asked his friend to pay and he would give them the cash. He told them they had to do it now. I don't know. Saying it out loud it sounds ridiculous, but he was definitely on edge. Oh yes and he did say that there's plenty more where that came from."

Scott sipped his drink and frowned. "Go on."

"I happened to mention it to Richard and he got really stressed. He stormed off to speak to Elliott about this holiday."

Prin worried Scott would lay into him for wasting his time.

"It's not just that," Prin continued. "Even before that, I mentioned to Richard about the theft and he told me, in no uncertain terms, that it hadn't happened in IT. I wasn't to bring trouble to his door."

Scott frowned. "Richard Brammin is on more money than you and I combined. Why would he want to rob a load of dildos? It doesn't make sense."

Prin stared down at his cup. "I shouldn't have bothered you. I'm sorry."

"No," Scott said. "That's not what I'm saying. This is suspicious as fuck. Problem is, we need a damned sight more before I can take on Richard Brammin."

"You believe me then?"

"Of course I do."

Prin beamed. He had been so sure he was sticking his neck out only to get it chopped off. Now he'd unburdened himself, he felt so much lighter.

"What's next?"

"Let me sleep on it," Scott replied. "Don't mention it to anyone. Have no fear, Prin. I will come up with a plan. I always do."

Scott followed this up with a wink that went straight to Prin's groin. Being thrown together with this gorgeous man could be very interesting indeed.

The weekend dragged on. By Sunday morning, Prin had grown sick of the four walls, so he invited Colin out for a stroll in the park. He'd arrived looking fabulous in a bright green blazer. Upon further inspection, it was made of a grassy fabric. Only Colin could get away with that.

"Thank you for this," Colin said. "I feel like I'm taking up a lot of your time lately."

"I don't mind."

"Surely a young man like you has many demands."

Prin picked a leaf off a tree. It was positively dull next to Colin's couture.

"Not really," Prin said. "You probably think me quite sad."

Colin stared at him. "Are you sad?"

Prin still had to get used to Colin's directness. He had never met anyone quite like him.

"Not as such. I guess I expected things to be a little different."

"When did you come to Brighton?"

Prin ran the leaf over his fingers.

"About a year ago. Pleasure Seekers were desperate for IT staff and I fitted the bill."

"What about friends?"

Prin shrugged. "I guess that will come in time. I…I needed to be by myself for a while."

"Even so. We all need company from time to time."

"I bet you get a lot where your apartment is," Prin replied, eager to divert the focus from his pathetic life. "I've seen plenty of people chatting in the gardens when I've visited."

Colin was silent for a second.

Prin turned to see him shaking.

"Colin. Are you all right? Come."

Prin led him to a bench and they sat down.

"Whatever's the matter?" Prin asked. "I'm sorry if I've upset you."

Colin waved him away. "I'm a silly old sod. Don't pay me any heed."

"Please tell me."

The older man sighed and lifted his head. "I'm not part of the in crowd, I'm afraid."

"What do you mean?"

"None of those people even give me the time of day."

Prin was gobsmacked. "Colin. I'm so sorry. Why are they behaving like that?"

"Why do you think? They don't like my type in their perfect little world."

He took hold of Colin's hand. "That is totally unacceptable."

Colin shrugged. "It is what it is. I'm too long in the tooth for another fight. I'll leave that to you young ones."

Prin vowed he would do something to help Colin. He would not stand by and let him be bullied like this.

"I spoke to the guy from HR today," Prin said.

"Good for you."

"He was nicer than I thought he would be."

Colin appraised him carefully. "Is that right?"

The wind blew through the leaves, the snap to the air a luxury to Prin.

"It's getting chilly," Colin said.

"I love it. Have you ever been to Bangkok?"

"Once. Humidity you could slice and put on toast."

Prin burst out laughing. "So you'll understand when I say I love the air here. Especially in Brighton."

"I do."

They got up from the bench.

"How about I buy you dinner?" Prin said. "To celebrate the weekend."

"That would be lovely. I can't remember the last time I sat across from a handsome man."

Prin blushed. They set off toward the gates.

I know when I was last opposite a handsome man. This afternoon.

Only twenty-four hours before he could speak to him again.