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“You came,” Jett said.

“I wasn’t gonna miss your night.” Aaron said, and then he placed the box on the bar. Jett went to open it, but Aaron held the lid down. “Not yet.”

Jett gestured to Marlon, and Aaron resisted the urge to ignore the man beside him and shot him a smile.

“Marlon Steel,” he said, before Jett could introduce them. “I’m Aaron. This is my nightclub, and Jett is the guy that runs it for me.”

Marlon held out his hand, and Aaron took hold, tried his hardest not to crunch Marlon’s fingers in his grip, but some voice in the back of his head, thought it would be good to break them all. Then Marlin would go to hospital and wouldn’t get a chance of using them on Jett.

Marlon’s face tightened, and Aaron released him, laughing softly.

“Sorry, I don’t know my own strength.”

He straightened, pushing his chest out, just to show he was stacked with muscle. He was posturing, making sure Marlon knew if they ever came to blows, Aaron would win hands down.

“Are you enjoying your night?” Aaron asked.

“I always enjoy myself when I come here. My schedule’s free, and I can finally unwind.”

“Free? No series five in the works then, I did think the last season wasn’t as engaging as the first. Maybe it’s best to stop at four.”

Marlon’s lips bobbed open and closed. The mask slipped, for a fraction of a second, so fast Aaron was convinced he was the only one that had seen it. Marlon’s sea of supporters started to hiss, and shuffle.

“That’s just my opinion,” Aaron said with his hand on his heart. “I’m sorry, maybe I’ve got more complex tastes.”

Marlon frowned. “You’re entitled to an opinion, but can I ask what you didn’t like about it?”

Shit.

Aaron didn’t even know what happened in the series, hadn’t seen one episode, and everyone was waiting for him to say something, including Jett. He remembered what Ethan had said, that Marlon was in some fantasy series.

He took a gamble.

“All the fantasy stuff isn’t for me, too much CGI and special effects, not enough personal drama and character development.”

Marlon licked his lips, then turned away. “Fair enough, it’s not for you.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Anyway,” Jett cut in. “Drink?”

As if on cue, Mary-Sue appeared and placed Aaron’s glass on the bar. “Devil’s Phlegm.”

Aaron winked at her. “Thanks.”

He took a sip, then frowned at the flavors dancing on his tongue. “Is there chili in it?”

Jett smiled. “Yeah.”

“It’s good.”

“I made that one up myself.”

“You should add cocktail maker to your CV.”

Jett full on-beamed a smile at Aaron, and he relaxed into the look, grinning back, all until Marlon opened his mouth.

“I was telling Jett about the new dog shelter I’m building.”