Page 98 of Inevitable

“Are you having fun?”

Drew nodded.

“A lot.”

“Shouldn’t you be helping me right now? I’m going to be late.”

Drew shook his head.

“Hey, we all know I can do shit all to get Harley to do anything. Face it, you’re his human. I’m just the chump he allows to give him food when you’re not around.”

Ezra pulled at his bag again and groaned when Harley still didn’t let go.

“Come on, dude. I need my stuff.”

Bas walked into the room and started laughing as he took in the scene in front of him.

Ezra sent him a dirty look, so Bas took pity on him, stepped forward, and crouched in front of Harley.

“Hey, Har,” he said, executing the overly enthusiastic tone with perfection. “You wanna go for a run?” Harvey’s ears perked up at the possibility of going outside. “You totally do, don’t you? Who’s my running buddy?” he cooed. It was sweet to the fullest extent.

“I bet there are some seagulls you can scare the crap out of while we’re at it,” Bas continued with a coaxing tone. Harley got up slowly, the strap of Ezra’s bag still between his teeth.

Bas reached out his hand and scratched Harley behind his ears. “It’s a busy day, Harley. How about we let Ez get out of here? The sooner you grant him permission to leave, the sooner he’ll be back, you know.”

Harley stared at Bas for a few moments before he let the bag go.

“I love you. You’re a dog whisperer,” Ezra said.

Bas laughed. “Hardly. It’s just that I can relate. I’ll miss you, too, today.”

Ezra smiled and kissed Bas.

“Sap,” he accused before he straightened himself and hiked his backpack over his shoulders. He didn’t move, though.

“Nervous about today?” Drew asked.

Ezra shook his head.

“Not exactly. It’s just a bit surreal that this is it. I’m going to pick up my diploma. Who would have believed I could actually pull it off?”

Drew’s lips twitched.

“Oh, I don’t know, everybody who’s ever met you?”

Ezra rolled his eyes.

“It’s embarrassing how biased you are.”

“Ah, the warm rays of appreciation.”

Ezra laughed and gave him a quick kiss. “I have to get going. I still have to go and talk to my thesis supervisor and Peterson to thank them for everything. Are you coming down with me?” he asked Bas.

Bas nodded.

“I’ll see you later?” he asked as he stopped to kiss Drew.

“Two thirty,” Drew confirmed.

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