“It’s called being civil, not being pretentious.”

The thespian rolled his eyes. “It doesn’t change the fact that Carlos wants your guts for shoestrings.”

“The feeling is mutual, but I need to cooperate with him,” Emil retorted. “We’re not in college anymore, trying to outdo each other. We might be able to set all of that past trouble aside.”

Darren shook his head. How could his best friend be willing to work with a man who had nearly cost him his life, career, loves, and ambitions. “Don’t delude yourself,” he finally said.

“I have to make it work.”

“You won’t.”