Michael just shrugs and sips at his drink, and James feels guilty. Whatever Michael wants from him, he can’t keep giving in and then backing off. He hasn’t even let Michael’s feelings on the situation cross his mind. “Just thought we should… you know? Talk about it. Before I go home.”
“You’re going home?” The Irishman almost sounds upset. James frowns, nodding a little.
“At some point soon, just for a couple of days. I can’t leave Anne alone with Brendan forever,” he laughs slightly, but the sound is uneasy. The tension in the air is thick enough to cut with a knife.
Michael considers this for a moment and nods, stirring his drink with his straw. “Can we talk somewhere private?”