Page 6 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
So did he. The sounds, the smell of oil, concrete, and grease. “You know the back wall, with all those bins?”
A nod.
“Every single one was organized alphabetically by make, model, and part type. Dad was so cool he was OCD before hipsters were.”
Fazil laughed but sobered quickly, his smile smoothing into seriousness. “Your book collection. I forgot.”
Organized by genre, author name, and publication year. “Yup. Didn’t fall too far from the tree in that respect.”
Fazil tapped his fingers lightly on the keys again. Touching, not typing. Nerves, probably. He’d never been able to sit still when anxious.
A sense of grim delight slithered up Todd’s spine. He was making Fazil uncomfortable and he had to stop himself from pulling Fazil into a kiss.
Fifteen years ago, that was the usual outcome when Fazil had gotten that lost look after being beaten at his own game. One of them ended up with the other’s dick in their mouth. Or they both would, in an enjoyable contest to see who could make the other come first. Todd shivered, the memory of Fazil’s tongue a little too close to the surface. Thank God the keyboard tray hid his lap, because his jeans were tighter than they should have been.
Fazil’s voice was soft. “I just wanted to tell you that this is really good work. There’s still a lot to be done, but this is far more than I expected Singularity to have.” He closed his laptop and stood.
Well, how about that. Given the not-so-subtle rumple in Fazil’s pants, someone else was remembering their past, too. “Thanks. I’ve heard good things about Sam Anderson.”
“All true.” He tossed the cup into the trash and headed for the hall. “See you tomorrow.”
Not so fast. “Fazil?”
He spun on his heel, eyebrows up.
“Lunch tomorrow?” The sooner they aired out the past, the better, because another afternoon like today would be hellish.
Fazil fidgeted in the hall and his shoulders dropped. “Yeah, tomorrow’s pretty flexible.”
Apprehension in that response. Todd ignored the pain in his chest. “Good. Tomorrow it is.”
Fazil’s smile was genuine, if small. “See you later, Todd.” Then he was gone.
Hearing his name spoken by that voice was like honey and lemon. So sweet, if you ignored the bitter sting.
