Page 38 of Topped

Jonathan had joined us at the pub after Darcy insisted Alfie invite him, because Jonathan had spent several weekends helping out at the start of the summer when the shop had taken off and we’d been close to drowning. He’d been our little gothic angel and saved our arses from exhaustion while we hunted down summer staff, aka Owen and Ellie.

Plus, as Alfie’s boyfriend, he knew exactly what we’d been through in the last few months. He deserved to celebrate the chaos coming to an end as much as we did.

“Okay, first of all, I want to say a massive thank you to all of you,” Darcy said, lifting his glass of wine into the air, the first hints of a truly relaxed smile sliding onto his face. “I know the last few months have been difficult, but they’ve also been incredible. When you agreed to come on this ridiculous adventure with me, I had no idea whether it was even going to work or what was going to happen, but it has and it’s all because of you. Lick It! might have been my dream, but it would be nothing without you and I’m so fucking grateful for all of you.”

He took a deep breath, his eyes shining wetly under the soft lights. My own eyes were prickling too. “Fuck, Darcy, you’re going to make me cry,” I muttered, wiping my eyes with my knuckles.

“Sorry, I’m… I want you to know how much you mean to me. You and Alfie gave up your lives to do this with me, and I… fuck, that’s… yeah. I still can’t believe it.”

“I’m glad I did,” Alfie said, shooting Jonathan an adoring look as he took the other man’s hand under the table. “The last six months might have been hard, but I don’t regret any of it. Well, maybe a few things, but coming back here, opening Lick It!, it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done. It changed my life.”

“Oh fuck, now I’m really going to cry,” Darcy said. He blinked heavily and let out a deep, steadying breath, although I wasn’t sure how much good either thing did. “Okay, shit, I’m going to stop talking now. But thank you, I love you all. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” we all echoed, clinking our glasses together. Owen started asking about our favourite moments from the season and we immediately started swapping stories—from the sublime to the ridiculous, little things which had made us smile to silly things customers had said.

And of course, Darcy mentioned the time I passed out in front of Austin Carter.

It was fun to reminisce and remember, to celebrate everything we’d been through and treasure all the good things that’d happened, despite the difficulties. We’d achieved so much this summer and I was glad we’d decided to recognise that before we forgot or decided it wasn’t a big deal.

Sure, there were things we’d have done differently and things we’d change for next year, but that was for another day.

I was so proud of everyone at our table, and looking around at them, I felt nothing but love and adoration for each of them.

It did make me feel really fucking single, though.

There was nothing like hanging out with two couples to make you feel like a fifth wheel. It wasn’t their fault, but it still made me feel like the singlest pringle on planet Earth.

And it made me wish Rupert was here.

I knew we weren’t doing anything official, and I definitely wasn’t ready to introduce him to my nosy-as-fuck best friends, but I still kind of wanted him here.

He was so interesting and sweet, every time we hung out I found something new to be fascinated by. I’d already learned a lot about shipwrecks and keeping ball pythons, and it felt like I’d only scratched the surface of his interests.

There was so much more I wanted to learn.

Including all the ways I could make him moan.

When we finished our drinks, I offered to get the next round and used my time waiting at the bar to pull my phone out of my pocket.

Milo

What are you doing this evening?

Milo

We’re currently celebrating at the pub, but I don’t think I’ll stay late.

Milo

I wondered if you’d like some company afterwards?

There was no response for a minute, but that didn’t bother me. I didn’t expect Rupert to be glued to his phone.

But I did set mine to vibrate so I’d know if he responded.

He did eventually, when I was halfway through my next pint and talking to Jonathan about Sword & Flame—the fantasy, tabletop wargame he and Alfie had bonded over.

I glanced down at my phone and smiled when I saw his response, my body lighting up like a fucking Christmas tree.