#Chapter 43: Breaking up with Lydia

"I must say, this isn't your usual style of haunt," Liam says a few hours later, looking around the dive-style bar that Marcus has asked him to meet at. "And certainly not in the early afternoon on a weekday."

"Life has taken several unpredictable turns recently," Marcus says drily, tipping his beer in greeting.

"Beer as well," Liam shakes his head. "What is the world coming to?" He motions to the bartender and asks for a beer himself.

"I feel like we're proper mates now," Liam says, taking a long pull of his drink. Liam was raised in England with his mother, and Marcus has always found his lilting accent quite charming. They used to joke that it made Liam far more popular with the ladies than he had any right to be.

They're not in a joking mood today, however, Marcus thinks sourly. No, this is a meeting to discuss unpleasant business, and better to get on with it.

"Might as well jump right in," he sighs, and then fills Liam in on recent events.

Liam listens attentively, murmuring lit