Page 45 of Power

My nerves got the best of me; I didn’t know how to respond. “Hey.”

“Are you okay?” he asked. He was still on edge about Tarun.

“I’m fine. I just wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.”

He chuckled. “It’s not Thanksgiving anymore.”

I suddenly realized the time difference. He was three hours ahead, so it was after midnight there. “Oh, I’m sorry! I forgot how late it was there. Were you sleeping?”

“There’s no rest for the wicked.” And he certainly was wicked.

“Did you do anything special…yesterday?” I asked.

“Like eat turkey? No, I was working.” No surprise there.

“You didn’t at least get together with Jai?”

“Why would I? He was out whoring around. Probably still is.” I was glad it was just Jai who was whoring around the city this evening.

“Maybe he needed a wingman?” I teased.

“I think we both know he needs no help in that department.”

“True.”

The line went quiet for some time.

He spoke first. “How are things at home?”

“Great. I love being home with my mom.”

“She must have missed you a lot.” He seemed genuinely interested in hearing about my time at home.

“She did. I wish she lived closer, so I could see her more often.” I couldn’t hide the emotion in my voice.

“Maybe one day you can move her out to the city.”

“Or maybe I could move back home.” There were plenty of amazing tech jobs in Seattle.

The line was thick with silent tension. “Are you considering moving back?”

“I’m not sure. I won’t really be needed after we…um…accomplish what we need to.” I didn’t want to say too much over the phone. Shyam had taught me that ears were listening everywhere, even where you wouldn’t suspect them.

“There are plenty of jobs available in New York for you, especially with the letter of recommendation that you want from me. You would no doubt secure these jobs without my help, but the letter would be a bonus.” He sounded like he was trying to convince me to stay.

“I don’t know that there’d be any purpose for me to stay in New York.” I wanted him to beg me to stay because he wanted me to.

He took a long sigh. “There’ll always be a purpose for you,jaan.”

I was hoping he meant it in the way that I wanted.

After another long silence, he spoke. “It’s late. You should get some rest.”

“Yeah, it is. Well…good night.” I wasn’t ready to hang up yet. I wanted so much to tell him that I missed him, but I didn’t want to risk getting rejected again.

“Good night.”

“Shyam, wait!” I called out hastily before he could hang up.

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