Odd One Out by Monica McInerney Page A

year. In fact, he got me the job in the bookshop. He’s very good at looking after people.”
    “And how did changing direction go down with your family? Your parents?”
    “They loved it. Thought it was a fantastic idea.” He gave a quick smile. “They were furious. I was ignored for a few months. Shouted at for another month. Four generations of the family in medicine. Who did I think I was, breaking with tradition? I needn’t think they’d support me, etcetera etcetera.”
    “Your brothers weren’t interested either?”
    “Not four years ago. It’s changed now. My youngest brother’s applied to do medicine, so my parents are mollified for the moment.” He gave a shrug. “There it is. I can’t condemn them for it. They’re traditional. Old-fashioned. They also care too much what other people think about them. Social standing, that kind of thing.”
    She’d had too much wine to be diplomatic. “But they’re okay about you and Sebastian?”
    “Sorry?”
    “About the two of you?”
    “The two of us?”
    “Being a couple.”
    “Sebastian and I being a couple?” At her nod, he threw back his head and laughed. “You thought Sebastian and I were together?”
    “Aren’t you?”
    “Where did you get that idea?”
    “He said that you were a very good friend of his and he had a kind of glint in his eye.”
    “A glint?” He grinned. “Sylvie, I’m sorry. Much as I’d love to be your brother-in-law, Sebastian and I bat for different teams. And as far as I can tell, Sebastian and Donald are very happy together without me interfering.”
    “Donald?”
    “Donald and Sebastian are together. You didn’t know?”
    “He said he was seeing someone. I got it into my head that it was you . . .”
    Max laughed again. “That’s it. Tomorrow I start growing a beard. Taking bodybuilding classes. Injecting testosterone.”
    “I didn’t . . . I hope you don’t . . . You didn’t seem . . .” She stopped trying. “Sorry.”
    “It’s fine. It means I’m in touch with my sensitive side. That’s a good thing, surely.”
    “A very good thing.”
    “No harm done, then. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
    “Where are we going?”
    “To a lap-dancing club. I’ve got a few things to prove.” He grinned at her expression. “No, not a lap-dancing club. I’m taking you to dinner. I’ve got a lot of ground to make up.”
    ***
    As they walked two blocks away to a small Greek restaurant, the mood changed between them. Over dinner, there was more conversation, occasional quick touches on each other’s sleeves or hands. Either Max felt he had something to prove, or they had naturally tipped from conversation into a kind of flirting. Sylvie wasn’t sure. All she knew was it had changed from being a night out with her brother’s partner to feeling something more like a date. It was a very good feeling.
    He walked her home afterward. The restaurant was only ten minutes from Sebastian’s apartment. The houses were mostly dark, a few cars driving down the side streets, a chill in the air. They stopped at the front of the apartment building. There were lights on behind curtains, the faint sound of a cello drifting down through an open window.
    Max looked up at Sebastian’s apartment and sighed. “Ah, my love nest. My heart pounds to think of the nights I’ve spent there.”
    “I’m sorry, I promise you. Which of us will ring Seb first and tell him, do you think?”
    “I’ll leave that to you. Give him my love, won’t you?” He laughed. “I mean it. I do love Sebastian.”
    “I’m sure he loves you too.”
    “I really enjoyed tonight, Sylvie. Drop in to the shop any time. Or give me a ring at home if you feel like a coffee.” He scribbled a number on the back of a receipt. “I work odd hours so I’ll be free when you least expect it.”
    “And me too. I mean, ring here if you want to as well. Thanks, Max. For the wine and dinner and everything.”
    “You’re very welcome.” He