Chapter 142

A few more people hadn’t made it tonight but would join them tomorrow. Andy’s older brother, who taught economics at a laid-back Southern California university. A couple of film-school friends. All people who knew Andy well and were thrilled about his upcoming nuptials. Everybody liked Adrian, too; Andy’s parents instantly adored anyone who loved their sons and hadn’t hesitated for a second when the person they’d first met as Andy’s new girlfriend had reintroduced himself as Adrian, Andy’s boyfriend. Affection unquestioned, Andy’d said. He loved his family; that’d been evident with every syllable. His family, and his friends. The people in his life, close-knit and loyal.

Leo Whyte was good at jokes and diversions. Shallowness. A puddle, not a vast ocean full of deep thoughts. He wasn’t certain he’d ever had any.