Dirty Little Secret(24)

Like what? This man had known Alex a long time, he said. Did he not know Alex was married? Or was he just covering for his friend so Alex could get some tail on the side? Cailin shook her head, confused. “Damien, Alex is—”

“Married? I know.”

“I didn’t.”

The man’s cavalier attitude hurt. Maybe she was supposed to be able to just have sex and not feel anything—that’s what she’d actually been looking for that night, as a matter of fact. But even if she had been able to look at it that way, no one should take marriage that lightly.

She stared at him, hoping something in his expression would explain what she was having such a difficult time comprehending. Finally she gave up and said, “I don’t—”

“Understand.” Damien ignored her tightened lips at his rude interruption and continued. “I know you don’t. Few people do. And no, I don’t condone affairs.”

Cailin plopped her elbows on the bar, dropped her head into her hands, and rubbed her temples in slow circles. Damien’s low chuckle made her want to smack him, but since he owned the place, that probably wasn’t a good idea. She’d seen the size of the bouncers out front, after all.

“Cailin, I’m sorry. I’m not making fun, I promise.” He took one of her hands and held it in his own. “Let’s just say I have a fair idea of what’s going on with Alex. Although most people wouldn’t understand, I do, and I won’t begrudge him what little bit of happiness he can squeeze out.”

“But he’s happy with Sara Beth. I’ve seen them together.” All the darn time.

Damien’s eyes narrowed on her. “You know them personally,” he guessed shrewdly. “Your presence here tonight isn’t just some delayed craving for a one-night stand with no forwarding address.”

She turned her head away. Brad stood at the back of the bar, rubbing a fluffy white towel over a series of wineglasses. Blaming the welling behind her eyes on staring at the bartender was flimsy, but it was better than Damien’s pity.

“I’m sorry again, Cailin. I didn’t understand the situation. I should have known—but then, I haven’t spoken with Alex since the opening. Look, Alex and Sara Beth grew up together. They’ve been best friends longer than any of us can remember. But just because you love someone doesn’t mean you are in love with them.” He shook his head when she opened her mouth to speak. “I can’t say more than that. I wish I could. But what I know about their situation is based on long years of trust in me as a friend. I wouldn’t share what they’ve told me with anyone else without their permission.” He hesitated a moment, and the first hint of uncertainty she’d seen crept into his eyes. “Does Alex know?”

“Know what?”

“That you’re in love with him?”

Shock zinged up her spine. “I’m not—”

Damien laid a quick finger against her lips, releasing her quickly. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked.” Brad stepped close to serve a nearby customer, and Damien waited until the other man left to continue. “I wish I had some words of wisdom to give you, but I don’t.” His brows lowered in concern. “From the looks of things, it’s already rough.”

Oh God. If this man could see how torn she was about Alex, so could everyone else. What could she do—

“Stop worrying. I’m just good at reading my fellow humans. I spend a lot of time doing it.” He waved a hand to indicate Thrice’s crowded floor.

“I don’t need anyone’s pity.”

“No, you don’t.” He stared at her a moment longer. “And offering to be here for you won’t do any good either.”

She shook her head. She didn’t know him. For that matter, she didn’t know anyone she’d share this with. Not anymore.

Damien leaned in and lowered his voice, but sincerity still bled through. “I’ll offer anyway, Cailin. Because it’s gonna get worse before it gets better. And for what very little it is worth, I’m sorry for that.” He ran a rough hand up her cheek into her hair, hooking the curly strands behind her ear. Then he turned and walked away.

* * * *

Two pairs of eyes stared back from the shadows of the couch as Alex walked into the den. He resisted the urge to sigh, knowing Sara Beth would see it even in the gloom wrapping the two as they watched a movie. It wasn’t that he minded Sam being here so much as he had simply hoped to sneak in without any actual human contact whatsoever. His social skills were wearing thin these days.

Bending over the two women, he tapped each on the head with a light kiss, then asked, “What are you watching?”