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“What? You know? How?”
Dorian grabbed his hand, and Alex wanted him to stop stalling. “When I told Ben you’d agreed to go through with it, after being so adamant you wouldn’t, we were both a bit worried that you might have got yourself into trouble. I couldn’t afford another scandal and Ben wanted to make sure someone wouldn’t turn up at the hall—worried about Davy, you know.”
He could understand Ben, and Dorian, but that didn’t explain how they knew. “So you did what exactly?”
“Ashley asked his dad to do a check. He’s got contacts everywhere.”
“Bloody hell! Ashley’s dad is terrifying. If he thought I was a danger to his grandson I’d have never been seen again.”
“But you weren’t and if you were then…” Dorian shrugged. “You wouldn’t be you. I mean it was unlikely given Ben had employed you, but you must admit, you changing your mind so quickly could’ve been suss.”
“It was an infringement of my privacy.” He felt he should have been angrier than he was. “It was intrusive.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. But we were also worried about you. If you’d been in trouble we’d have wanted to help.”
Alex was more confused than ever. Dorian was supposed to be a prick, an arsehole A-lister but he wasn’t or at least not anymore. “I’m still a bit annoyed. Although I understand the reasoning.”
“How about we go for an ice cream? You can drive.”
“I’m not six, you can’t fix things with confectionary.”
“Is that a no?”
“I didn’t say that.” He grabbed the car keys off the side table. “I want a chocolate-dipped cone, double scoop and sprinkles.”
CHAPTER29
Dorian smiled at the photo. He knew where and when it had been taken. They’d gone for a drive after Alex’s parents had turned up and Dorian had admitted he knew the real reason behind Alex needing the money.
Alex was holding out his strawberry ice cream for Dorian to try, adamant he should have a taste since he’d got so excited to find his favourite flavour hadn’t sold out for once. No one looking at the photo would suspect they weren’t boyfriends.
His fans were going wild. Alex—who they had named DDB, short for Dorian’s Darling Boy—was a huge hit. There were groups devoted to DDB and Dorian’s secret smile, and references to gentlemen definitely preferring blonds.
“Don’t you look happy!”
Dorian grinned as Ben sat next to him. “Seems that the plan with Alex is working.”
“Oh yeah?”
He showed him the photo. “See. My fans are totally smitten.”
“They’re not the only ones.”
He swiped closed the browser. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Dorian, we’ve known each other since we were thirteen. You, my friend, are crushing.”
“Crushing? What are we? Still thirteen?”
“Deflecting.”
Dorian huffed. “Maybe a little crush. Look, I also know it’s not serious or real. Alex is a great guy but I’m not making more of it than it is.”
“If you say so. Don’t make me have to give you a talking to about my secretary. The man has the president of the Women’s Institute eating out of the palm of his hand—that is a skill that cannot be learnt, and I will not lose him.”
“It’s amazing how acting like a decent human being can do well for you. I should’ve learnt that myself years ago.”
Ben tutted. “You had your moments of being an utter twat, Dorian. But underneath you were never a monster.”
