Page 81 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
That didn’t bode well. Todd chewed on his tongue. Time to switch subjects. “Since you’re here for the weekend, how does seeing Mount Rainier sound?”
Fazil’s whole body relaxed. “I’d love that.”
Then that would be the plan. One day at a time, with both work and play.
***
When Eli’s cell phone rang at nine fifteen the next morning, Fazil nearly jumped out of his skin. Judging by Eli’s wide eyes, he was also surprised. He snatched up the phone on the second ring.
“Hello?”
Fazil hefted his coffee and practically inhaled it. It wouldn’t touch his rapid heart rate, but it would help him parse the e-mail in his inbox. Maybe.
“Sam?” Eli said. “Let me call you back on the speakerphone.”
A bolt of shock ran through Fazil and he rolled over closer as Eli punched Sam’s number into the Polycom.
“Good morning!” Sam sounded chipper, but then it was just past noon there. Fazil took another swig of coffee and hoped the caffeine hit soon. “I have news.”
“Oh?” Eli’s voice lifted. “I’m going to take a stab and guess you’re not calling to makemyday.”
Sam huffed a laugh. “No, Ryan still stays.”
He shrugged. “Worth a shot.”
Fazil’s breath caught and he set down his cup. “They said yes to an extension.”
“For you,” Sam said. Fazil could picture him smiling from the timbre of his voice. “One week extra, which is less than you wanted—”
“It’s fine.” Two would have been better. “I’ll get what I need in place. I can manage the rest remotely.” If he took a day off on the far end, he’d have two more weekends with Todd.
Eli’s chuckle was so soft, Fazil doubted it carried over the speakerphone.
“Good,” Sam said. “E, you’re flying back on Saturday, as planned.”
“It’ll be good to come home,” Eli said. “This has been... trying.”
“I know. You’ve both done great work.”
Fazil didn’t hear much of the rest of the conversation—confirming Eli’s travel arrangements for the weekend and detailing what was left on his side. His fingers itched to text Todd the news.
Another week. He missed Pittsburgh, the team, and his own space, but the extra time would give them a chance to figure out how to keep this relationship going.
“No, I think that’s it. Fazil? You have anything more” Eli’s words broke through Fazil’s thoughts.
“No. I’m good. I’ll lay out the plan for the next week and get back to you.”
“Good, good. Have a nice one, guys.” And with that, Sam was gone.
A sly smile from Eli. “Go on. Tell him.”
Fazil rolled his eyes, but he did pick up his phone. Maybe his fingers shook a little texting the news to Todd.
Fantastic!Came the reply.We’ll talk tonight.
Good.Every nerve sang, even though every night without Todd was frustrating as all hell. For now, he had work to do. The extension didn’t change his job, just gave him more breathing room.
After lunch, which they ordered in for a change, they had yet another meeting with management to fill them in on the changes in the plan. Sandra wasn’t there due to a conference call with the board, but her e-mail made it clear Eli and Fazil could easily fill in the rest of the team. They had her utmost support, and she’d prepped her staff.
