Page 143 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
“So when are you and Todd tying the knot?”
Heat touched Fazil’s cheeks. So many people had asked that question recently, including his and Todd’s parents. “Soon-ish. The calendar seems to be chock-full of other weddings at the moment.”
“So you guys are engaged?”
“Something like that.” Boy, he hated lying. He was so shitty at it. “We’ll have a big old wedding one of these days, don’t you worry.”
“Three words, Fazil: geek cookie table.”
That did sound good. “Don’t tell Eli. He’ll scheme a way to make twenty-sided dice from marzipan.”
“Or bouncy balls.” She glanced toward the hall. “I didn’t peg him as a gamer.”
“He nearly stole Todd’s D&D books.”
“Did not,” Eli said. “I was going to hold them in safekeeping until you moved.”
He mouthed the wordstealto Kris and she laughed. So good to see her smile, to see her happy. “We should get back to it.” He gestured out into the hall and they both headed to the truck.
It took another hour or so to unload and put all the boxes where they belonged. Most were marked, and Eli directed people to the proper rooms. But some weren’t. Adam came in carrying a smaller box. “No idea where this goes.”
Eli took it from him and sliced the tape open. “Let’s see.”
Todd pounded up the steps from the truck, horror and embarrassment carved into his face.
Uh-oh.“Eli—”
He’d already peered inside. One eyebrow went up. “Well, now.” He closed the box. “Best give it to Fazil.” His grin was entirely too knowing.
Adam had a crinkled forehead. “I’ll get another one, then.”
“There’re some marked ones.” Todd slipped inside the house, breathless and red.
Fazil peeked inside the box, though he was almost certain of what he’d find. Still, the sight of the toys heated his blood and set goose bumps on his arms. Especially when he spied a large green dildo that looked like it might have suckers. He met Todd’s gaze. “You didn’t tell me Mr. Dragon had a brother.”
Eli burst out laughing, loud enough that he slapped a hand over his mouth and doubled over. His cane slipped and clattered to the floor.
Justin padded down the stairs from the second floor. “Did you break my husband?”
“Sorry,” Fazil said. “But yes.”
“Well, good,” Justin said. “Someone ought to.”
“Six, Mr. White,” Eli said, between gasps.
“Um.” Todd took a deep breath. “Why don’t we take that box upstairs, Z?”
Oh yes. Why didn’t they? Despite the protest of his legs, he climbed up to the second floor and strode into the bedroom.
Todd followed and shut the door. “Do I want to know what the deal is with their counting?”
“Don’t ask me,” Fazil said. Though he could guess, and holy hell, he didn’t need that image. He set the box down on the bed. “I know too damn much about my coworkers.”
Todd embraced Fazil from behind, circling his arm around him and kissing his neck. “They’re a fun crew.”
“Glad it was Eli who looked in the box and not Adam.” He leaned against Todd. “I thought Mr. Dragon was a gag gift?”
“He was.”
