“Aren’t you fucking ready yet?” Cash stood by the front door, jangling his keys and tapping his foot. If someone broke the news to him that Rupe was a woman, he wouldn’t be surprised, based on how long his friend took to get ready.

“Almost,” Rupe said, trying to balance on one foot while putting on his shoes. “You only saw her a few hours ago. I’m sure you can survive being five minutes late.”

Cash held back from saying what he thought, but if Rupe didn’t get his shoe on in ten seconds, Cash would bloody do it for him. He rolled his eyes as Rupe hopped about, finally letting out an irritated sigh. “For fuck’s sake, sit down, and put them on.”

“All right, all right. Don’t get your knickers in a twist.” Rupe finally managed to lace up his shoes and headed for the front door. He cocked his head. “You coming or what?”

Cash ground his teeth. “You are one irritating bastard.”

“And you’re a grumpy fucker, but you don’t hear me complaining every five minutes.” Rupe held the door open, giving Cash a shove as he walked through.

Isaac dropped them off at Natalia’s flat a little after eight. Despite his driver’s protestations, Cash insisted he take the rest of the night off. Cash and Rupe could easily get a cab home, and Isaac’s daughter was in town for a few days. It would do the man good to catch up with his family, especially as he’d soon be away from home for weeks at a time when Cash went back on the circuit.

Natalia must have been watching out for them because by the time they’d climbed out of the car, she was already standing at the front door.

“You’re late,” she said with the special smile she seemed to keep only for him. A warm glow spread through his body, and his fingers itched to touch her.

He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss. “You’re hot.”

“You’re excused,” she said with a soft giggle. “Anyway, I bet it was Rupe’s fault you’re late.”

“And how do you figure that?” Rupe said.

“Because she knows you well.” Cash pressed Rupe through the door first, which allowed him to sweep his hand over Natalia’s backside in private. “I can’t wait to get my hands on you,” he whispered in her ear. “Let’s hope these two get on so we can leave early.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoes to reach his lips. Her kiss was light but full of promise, and he shuddered.

“I’d like that,” she murmured.

Cash took her hand as Emmalee appeared in the hallway. Natalia’s flatmate scowled at Cash, but her face smoothed as she greeted his friend.

“Hi, I’m Emmalee—Em. You must be Rupe.”

“Yeah.” Rupe ignored her outstretched hand as he moved in and gave her a kiss on the cheek instead. “Thanks for inviting me over.”

A faint tinge of red bled into Emmalee’s cheeks at Rupe’s trademark overfamiliarity. “Well, technically, I didn’t. Tally did. But regardless, you’re welcome. Come on. Let’s get you a drink.”

She studiously ignored Cash as he and Natalia followed them into the kitchen. Natalia headed to the stove and gave something a stir.

“Smells good,” Rupe said, sniffing the air.

“Paella.” She held out a spoonful, her free hand underneath the cutlery to catch any drips. “Here, taste.”

Rupe slurped at the spoon before smacking his lips. “More pepper.”

Natalia grabbed the peppermill and added more to the pan. Her backside wiggled as she stirred the contents, and Cash struggled to avert his gaze until Emmalee coughed. He dragged his attention away from Natalia’s perfect arse to find Emmalee glaring at him. She stole a surreptitious glance at Natalia, who was busy joking with Rupe, before leaning across the table.

“Don’t think all is forgotten,” she whispered in a low enough tone to keep it between them. “Just because Tally’s forgiven you doesn’t mean I have.”

Cash raised an eyebrow. “Good to know,” he drawled.

Her expression darkened. “Just as arrogant as before, I see,” she hissed.

Cash expelled an irritated sigh. “Look,” he said, leaning closer. “I get it. You’re pissed, and you have every right to be. She’s your friend, and I hurt her. I know you don’t like me, but unfortunately for you, Natalia does. So you and I are going to have to find a way past this before we put unfair pressure on her.”

Emmalee opened her mouth to come back at him, but Natalia chose that moment to glance over her shoulder. A frown drifted across her face. Emmalee must have spotted it, because she straightened and passed him a bottle of red wine and a corkscrew.

“Here, make yourself useful and open that.”

Cash gave the label a cursory glance. A half-decent Merlot. He opened it and took a sniff. Not bad. He poured four glasses and handed them round.

“Em, pass me those plates, would you?” Natalia held a hand out behind her without looking around. “I hope no one minds eating straight away. The rice will overcook if I leave it for much longer.”

Cash stared pointedly at Rupe, who flashed a wry grin. “No problem for me, darling,” Rupe said as he sat at the table and held his knife and fork upright, like an expectant child.

“No shit,” Cash said. “Especially as it was your fault we were late.”

“What was the problem?” Natalia said, placing two dishes of paella in front of him and Rupe.

“Rupe’s a woman in disguise,” Cash said. “Takes about three hours to get ready, although looking at him, you’d wonder why.”

Natalia giggled. “You should give him a few tips, Em.”

Rupe threw his hands in the air. “What’s this—pick on Rupe night?”

“You make it too easy, buddy,” Cash said.

As the evening progressed, the tension between him and Emmalee lessened, although he could tell her softening was more for Natalia’s benefit than any real truce. On the other hand, Emmalee and Rupe got on so well they could have known each other all their lives. Cash watched for signs of a budding romance, but it seemed much more of a brother-sister relationship than anything else.

“Are you going back on tour soon, Cash?” Emmalee asked, glancing between him and Natalia. She seemed to be gauging Natalia’s reaction, although Cash couldn’t be sure.

“Yeah. Monte Carlo in a couple of weeks, but I’m taking Natalia to Northern Ireland with me first.”

“You are?” Natalia said, dropping her dessert spoon with a clang.

“Yes.” He tilted his head, mirroring her posture. “I made you a promise, and I’m going to make good on it.”

Emmalee sighed heavily, her arms crossed over her chest. “She’s only just got home, and now you’re dragging her off again.”

“Emmalee,” Natalia said with a tinge of warning in her tone. “That’s enough.”

Cash covered her hand with his and squeezed. “It’s okay, sweetness.” He fixed his gaze on Emmalee. “If you’ve got something to say, then let’s hear it.”

Temporary truce over, Emmalee’s cold stare locked onto his. “I’m just interested in what’s so urgent in Northern Ireland. What did you promise her, Cash? Not to go around kissing strange women anymore?”

Natalia caught her breath as Cash shot a furious look at Emmalee. Even Rupe decided fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth was preferable to making eye contact with anyone.

Emmalee’s cheeks reddened as she realised she’d gone too far. “Shit. I didn’t mean that. It just slipped out.”

Natalia fidgeted beside him. She kept threading her napkin through her fingers, undoubtedly waiting for him to explode. He clutched her hand, stilling her.

“Be careful judging what you don’t understand, Emmalee,” he said, purposely keeping his tone even, though he’d gladly have strangled her.

She ducked her head, the blush spreading to her neck. “Sorry. Never did know when to keep my mouth shut, did I, Tal?”

Natalia didn’t respond. Instead, she turned to him. “When do we leave?”

He brought her trembling hands to his lips and kissed first one, then the other. “Tonight.”

Natalia nodded and got to her feet. She gathered the dishes together as Emmalee scrambled out of her chair and followed her to the sink.

“I’m sorry, babes,” she said, rubbing Natalia’s arm. “Really, I am.”

Natalia wrenched her shoulder upwards, and Emmalee’s arm fell to her side. Natalia spoke over her shoulder. “Can you both give us a minute?”

Cash nodded and cocked his head at Rupe. “We’ll be outside.”

* * *

Although the decision to fly to Ireland immediately had been impulsive, Cash knew it was the right one. Natalia hadn’t shared what she’d said to Emmalee, but given the grim expression on her face when she’d joined him outside, he was thankful Emmalee had been on the receiving end of her wrath rather than him.

As the plane descended, his stomach churned, and he squeezed his eyes tightly shut.

“Almost there, ace.”

He briefly smiled at the nickname and gripped her hand as the plane sank another few hundred feet.

“Fuck,” he gritted out as his stomach rolled. He squeezed her so tightly she winced. “How close?”

She glanced out of the window. “Two thousand feet max. Won’t be long now.”

He didn’t let go of her hand throughout the rest of the descent, although he did loosen his grip. After about ten minutes, the wheels touched down. As the captain throttled back, the engines screamed, and the momentum threw him forward slightly in his seat.

“Maybe we should get you on one of those fear-of-flying courses.”

“Done ’em,” he gritted out. “Did fuck all for me.”

As soon as the captain switched off the seatbelt sign, Cash bounded from his seat. He never could wait to get off planes, although at least he didn’t have to suffer commercial airlines. Trying to cope with other passengers at the same time as his fear of flying? Urgh. The thought made him shudder.

Patrick, a driver he occasionally used when Isaac wasn’t around, was waiting at the bottom of the steps as they descended. The driver was okay, but he didn’t know Cash nearly as well as Isaac did. Talked shit a bit too much for Cash’s liking. Isaac always managed to tune in to Cash’s moods and act accordingly, whereas Patrick seemed to have only one mood—too fucking happy.

“Mr Gallagher,” he enthused. “Great to see you, sir.” His gaze fell on Natalia and lingered. “Miss,” he finally said.

Cash set his jaw. “If you’ve finished staring rather inappropriately at my girlfriend, Patrick, perhaps you can put the bags in the car.”

Patrick’s face reddened, and he muttered, “My apologies, sir,” before grabbing the bags.

Cash seized Natalia’s arm as she glared at him, her eyes full of reproach. After they’d climbed into the car, Cash slammed the door and immediately put up the privacy screen.

“Was there any need to embarrass him like that?” she said, folding her arms across her chest.

“Yes, there was. And next time, if there is such a thing, he’ll know his fucking place.”

Natalia cast him a withering gaze and turned to stare out of the window, her shoulders set in disapproval. Cash let out a soft sigh. Maybe he had been a little rude to Patrick, but he couldn’t help the surge of jealousy whenever anyone looked at Natalia, especially the way Patrick had. Cash was the only person allowed to look at her like that.

He switched on his phone, and it immediately pinged with an incoming text from Emmalee. He swiped the screen, and his eyebrows shot up as he read her message:

Cash, I’m sorry my big mouth made you both leave so soon. Tally’s forgiven you, and if she can, then so can I. Friends? Em xx

P.S. Tally’s bloody mad at me. Can you use some of your famous charm and calm her down a bit?

P.P.S. Rupe is an absolute card. I love him.

Cash began to laugh.

Natalia glanced over at him, her face still set with exasperation. “Who’s that?”

“Emmalee.” He showed her his phone, and despite her annoyance, she chuckled when she read the texts.

“I had a feeling those two would get along. Peas in a pod.”

“Yeah,” Cash said. “Or pains in the arse.”

“I didn’t exactly hold back before,” she said with a grimace. “Em’s intentions are good, but sometimes she treats me like I’m five.”

“She loves you,” he said with a shrug, typing out a quick text in return. “I’ve told her she’s forgiven, and she’s welcome to keep Rupe.”

“I’ll call her tomorrow.”

Cash knitted their fingers together. “Am I forgiven too?”

Her mouth creased in thought. “You can be very cutting at times. The poor man didn’t know what to do with himself.”

“I didn’t like the way he looked at you.”

She let out a sigh. “Are you going to embarrass every man who glances my way?”

“Yes.”

Her lips twitched. “What am I going to do with you?”

Cash grinned. “Not sure, sweetness. But regardless, you’re stuck with me.”

When they reached home, Cash helped Natalia out of the car. Patrick kept his gaze well averted. Cash dismissed him with a curt nod, grabbed their bags, and opened the front door.

“Tired?”

Natalia nodded, yawning on cue. It was already past midnight, and a fun night had turned rather quickly into an unexpectedly stressful one. Cash dropped their bags in the hallway.

“We can unpack tomorrow,” he said. “Let’s go to bed.”

They trudged upstairs, and Cash flicked on the bedside lamps as Natalia wandered over to the window. She stared into the blackness, her shoulders bowed in defeat.

He followed her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You okay, babe?”

She sighed softly. “I’ve had better evenings.”

He rested his chin on her shoulder. “I don’t like it when you’re sad.”

She twisted in his arms. “I’m not sad. I just don’t like arguing with my best friend.”

He bent his head and brushed his lips over hers, desire spreading through his chest when she kissed him back.

“Your pace, Natalia,” he murmured against her cool lips, which were chilled from the night air. “You decide.”

She stepped away and, holding his hands, backed towards the bed. “If only every decision was as easy.”