Page 107 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
When Todd’s words penetrated, it was as if the fog lifted from his brain. “They didn’t punish you, did they?”
Todd sighed. “I’m on probation for fooling around with a contractor.”
Well, shit.Fazil cringed.
“It’s so stupid. And...” Todd stood and pulled Fazil up off the bed. “I’ll tell you the rest over dinner. Youneedto eat, Z. Especially now.”
Damn Todd and his ability to be right about everything. But it was getting later and later and he still hadn’t packed, so he let Todd pull him from the room and take him to the car.
The evening was full of mist, not enough for an umbrella, but the cool touch on Fazil’s face woke him up. Hewashungry. And tired and numb. He entwined his fingers with Todd’s. “Thanks for coming.”
“Always,” Todd said.
They climbed into Todd’s car and drove. The streets, the lights, and the building smeared into a giant blur through Fazil’s wet window until they pulled into the drive-thru of a burger joint.
“It’s far from foodie cuisine, but you haven’t experienced Seattle until you’ve had a sourdough Jack.”
“I think I’ve had enough of Seattle for a lifetime.” He wanted to be back where he belonged. That’s what home was, right?
Todd ordered, paid for, and collected their food. The scent of burgers and fries filled the car and Fazil’s stomach grumbled.
Before they got back on the road, Todd squeezed his knee. “Don’t let those assholes ruin this place for you. That kind of shit happens everywhere. Like I said, notentirelya liberal paradise.”
“No place is.” Fazil placed his hand on top of Todd’s. “I had the best time of my life here with you. I’m— I need some time.” And Pittsburgh.
Todd nodded. It took them a while to navigate the roads and the traffic, but they made it back to Todd’s before the burgers got cold. As fast food went, they were damn fine burgers, and eating gave Fazil the clarity of thought to breathe and function.
Anger still simmered in his sinew, but he wouldn’t burst into flame any time soon. When Fazil looked around Todd’s apartment, an ache rose for his own place,histhings, the coolness and comfort ofhisbed.
He set about packing his clothes and toiletries. The art and chocolate he’d bought at Mount Rainier. The coffee beans he’d grabbed after one of the company dinners. Everything that was his, except what he most wanted to have back in Pittsburgh.
He took his bags to the door. “You’ll have to come visit. I can repay you with touristy things.”
“Maybe once this shit is done at Singularity. I’m not allowed to take vacation right now.” Todd leaned against the couch, where they’d watched movies, necked, and fucked.
The need, the desire for Todd flooded back. His touch, the sound of this voice. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You’re not going to lose me. Promise.” Todd pushed off the couch. “Maybe when things aren’t so painful, you can come back.”
“There’s a lot more I’d like to see.” Fazil tamped down the lump in his throat.
“There’s so much more to show you.” Reluctantly Todd hefted one of Fazil’s bags. “We should get you back to the hotel.”
He picked up the rest of his luggage. “Morning is going to come too early.”
Todd held the door open. “Yeah.” Once they’d both exited, he locked the door. “I can drive you to Sea-Tac. No sense in paying for a cab, especially when I need to be in the office early anyway.”
Todd planned to spend the night. A different ache chased away the remnants of cold fear nipping at him all day. “Good thing I got a king bed.”
“Very.” Todd’s voice was full of gravel.
Fazil managed not to trip down the stairs. The distance would be hard to manage, so he’d take all he could get of Todd tonight.
***
The hotel door clicked closed, Fazil rolled his luggage next to his laptop and faced Todd. “Guess that’s that.”
Todd handed over Fazil’s overnight bag. “Not yet, it’s not.”
