Page 92 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
Fazil grunted and fingered the paper wrapper. Once they were safely on I-5, he handed the sandwich to Todd. “Sounds like you fared better in the relationship department, what with your doctor friend.”
That wasn’t entirely true. “Martin was unique. I had a lot more shut-up-and-fuck-me boyfriends than I-love-you ones, so I’m not one to talk about good and bad relationships.” The fuckbuddies had been easier to see come and go.
Fazil unwrapped his breakfast and set to eating it, his gaze lost out the window.
Todd ate his own sandwich and washed bites down with coffee. Fazil was unlike any of his exes, even Martin. He didn’t know how to tell him that. The love there was long and abiding and had such deep roots. He adored the older, sexy, adventuresome version of Fazil that had landed on his doorstep.
The games they played were something else.
Fazil was everything.
The silence stretched on, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. He turned on the radio, though, and set the volume high enough to give him the background noise he needed. Once in a while, Fazil sang along to a song, and that was familiar, too.
The scenery flew past and the mountain grew larger. They’d turn off the freeway soon. He should explain that.
“We’re not actually going to go to Rainier,” Todd said. “It’s hard to see the thing when you’re standing on it, so we’re going to a ski resort nearby. The views of Rainier are stunning, especially once you get to the top of the gondola.”
“Gondola?” Fazil’s voice pitched higher. “Whatgondola?”
Ohshit.Fazil’s fear of heights... falling... whatever the hell it was. “Um. The one that takes us up the side of the mountain to where the hiking paths are?”
Fazil pressed back into the seat and flinched. “I’m—not sure I can do that.”
Panic slithered up his spine, and he gripped the wheel. “Shit, Z, I didn’t think.” How could he salvage the trip? He couldn’t take Fazil up there. “This was supposed to be fun for you.” He’d completely fucked up. “We can go to Rainier. I think we can find some views in the park and—”
Fazil gripped his knee. “Hey, it’s okay. Let’s do what you planned. I’ll be fine.”
He shot a glance over and took as long a look as he could get away with. “Yousure?”
Fazil’s voice was strong and firm, though his expression didn’t quite match. “Yup. I’ll do the gondola.”
Todd’s back unknotted. “If it’s any help, the view is unbeatable.” Hopefully that would be enough to keep Fazil from freaking out. Or him freaking out about Fazil.
Fazil patted Todd’s leg. “Trust me.”
He held to on that. He took the exit toward the resort and hoped he hadn’t royally screwed up Fazil’s day.
