Page 113 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
“Then go.” Eli shooed him away. “Finish your coffee, text your boyfriend, and get back to work.”
Fazil saluted Eli with his cup. Hisboyfriend. Guess he and Todd were going to try the long-distance thing. Relief washed through him as he sat down and docked his laptop. He was back where he belonged.
All he had to do was overlook the agony of being two thousand–plus miles from the man he loved.
***
The worst part for Todd was knowing the time on the East Coast but not knowing if Fazil was awake yet. Alive, he knew—Fazil had texted him from the cab on the way to his apartment, exhausted as all hell. The message had been full of weird autocorrect substitutions, but he’d figured out whatI’m cabinet. Heading home. Will boxtop laser.meant.
Around eight fifteen, as he was pulling into the office, his phone buzzed.
Hey. I’m up and moving. Hope you understood the weird text last night.
He parked and replied.Yeah, I did. Figured you were pretty out of it.
Yeah. Feeling better now. How are you?
Worried about his job. Tired. Stressed. But above all?I miss you.
I miss you, too. It’s weird not having you here.
Todd studied the words.Weird not having you here—notweird not being there. Fazil was glad to be home.
It shouldn’t have bothered him... but it did. He tapped out a reply.I wish you were here.Pressed send.
Nothing for a while, so he got out and headed into the office. Dread sank into his stomach, though Fazil had every reason to be happy to be back in Pittsburgh. Once at his cube, he dragged his attention to his e-mail and started in on answering what needed to be dealt with.
First up was studying the daily plan Stephen had laid out for him, like some kind of errant child. He’d slept with a contractor, yes, but he hadn’t screwed up his job. He didn’t need a fuckingbabysitter.
His phone buzzed. Finally.Videochat tonight? Want to see you.
Todd bit his lip. He shouldn’t answer at work, lest anyone catch him taking a second forhimself. He grabbed his phone anyway.Yeah. Sounds perfect.
Hit me up when you get in.
I will.He didn’t hit send, his hand hovering over the screen. Should he or shouldn’t he? He’d said it already, so he typed the words.I love you.Hit send.
No reply.Damn it, Z. It’s not that hard.
He turned back to his inbox and the day ahead. First, knock out what Stephen wanted him to do, then settle in on the rest of the documents he owed Fazil and Anderson.
He tried not to worry about his silent phone.
***
Fazil was half-asleep on the couch when his computer dinged. Thank goodness he’d cranked the volume up as high as it would go, or he might have missed it. He leaned forward and hit accept on Todd’s videochat invite.
There he was, hair slightly askew, but looking good. “Hey. You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
Todd smiled. “You look like you’re about ready to fall over.”
Couldn’t help the laugh. “Yeah. That jet lag is something else. I’d forgotten how bad it is from the West Coast.”
“Almost as bad as going to Europe.”
“Almost.” He studied Todd on the screen. “God, I miss you.” Todd’s touch, the press of his lips, and the beat of his heart when Fazil leaned against him. Everything.
That earned him a smile. “Ditto. It’s too quiet here.”
