“no strippers? then i’m glad i didn’t come,” he partially joked, laughing a bit. he couldn’t help but wonder now, if shane had even put the pieces together yet, that his reasoning for not showing up for the engagement party were just bluff. he was able to leave work for shane in a heartbeat, or so it felt, yet he couldn’t make the party because his boss ‘really needed him’ for that particular weekend? when he had known well in advance when it was and he had even told his friend he had requested time off to head to moorbrooke for it. he hadn’t even been scheduled, despite the entirety of shane’s marriage being for business more than anything else, zeki simply couldn’t bring himself to celebrate it even for shane. “it sounds like it was one hell of a party,” he says, giving a little nod,” sounds like you managed to get the entire town to show up. it’s impressive that this place was able to fit so many people in it.” zeki remains quiet as shane speaks again, answering his question, he listens and watches his friendly intently. an eyebrow quirked when shane described” his feelings as ‘offended’ when he spoke about how things ended with tristan, that wasn’t what zeki had thought the other was going to say, he wasn’t sure what he thought shane would say, it certainly was anything but offended. he had felt offended for him, but that’s because he was his ride or die, shane was his best friend, his better half, he’d be offended at anyone who didn’t like him. although when he heard why things had suddenly ended a part of him partially understood, but he was incredibly furious with tristan over it. “no, i don’t think that makes you an asshole,” zeki replies, sliding the second shot to shane, and then quickly downed the other shot. “i think he’s the asshole for knowing what he signed up for and then acting as if he’s brand new. not to mention, if he knew in the end he wasn’t going to carry out the arrangement, why the hell would he let you guys throw such a huge engagement party? just doesn’t sit right with me.” he shrugged, shaking his head. “as for decorating, perhaps we can go shopping for some stuff some day soon? for tonight, if you’re up for it, i’m liking the idea of us just going back to your place and curling up to a good ol’ fashion christmas movie with..whatever liquor finds it’s way to our cups. we could even leave now, unless you’d rather stay longer.”