Page 77 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
“Sandra’s going to get someone on the inside to push for change.”
“Good.” Something crinkled across the line. “I don’t have any word on whether they’ve approved you staying on for longer.”
A twist in his heart. Part of him wanted this job to end, but that meant leaving Todd. “I’ll assume no, then.”
Eli cocked his head and frowned. Had he given something away?
Maybe. Sam’s next question was laced with concern. “Is there something else going on?”
Fazil shifted in his chair and Eli gave him a pointed look. “Yeah. But it’s personal.”
Aclickover the line and Sam’s voice was much clearer. He’d switched to the handset. “What’s up?”
“One of the engineers here, I knew him in high school.” Fazil’s pulse had him light-headed, but Eli nodded in encouragement.
“Old friend?”
His mouth dried, but he got the words out. “Old boyfriend.”
A pause. “Ah. Rekindled, I take it?”
“Yeah.” That was one way to put it. “We hadn’t seen each other in a while and...” He waved a hand even though Sam couldn’t see. “There’s still a connection.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Eli said, his voice all humor.
Sam coughed, though it sounded more like a laugh. “Oh?”
Eli just grinned.
“We’re keeping it out of the office.”
“Best plan.” A very dry, amused tone. “Please don’t use Eli as an example.”
Most awkward phone call with the bossever. “But just in case, I thought you should know.”
The amusement dropped away. “I appreciate that. It’s— Well, like you said, keep it out of the office.” He paused. “And enjoy.”
That had his face red. “Thanks.” He managed to get that out without sounding like a dope. Didn’t help that he was suddenly aware of the smell of leather from his chair.
“Anythingelse?” Sam said. “No secrets from you, E?”
A deep rumble of laughter from Eli. “Sam, you already know them.”
That sounded suspiciously like another coughing fit on the other end. “If that’s it, you two have a nice lunch.”
“Have a nice one, Sam.” Eli hit the off button, then sat back in his chair. “Better?”
Not really.“I feel like I’m walking on fire.”
“Perhaps.” Eli tapped the track pad on his laptop to wake it up. “Only one thing to do now.”
“Work?”
Eli glanced at his computer. “Lunch,” he said. “With management—in a few minutes, according to this invite.”
Joy.“So, work.” Which was fine. That’s what he was here to do, after all.
