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“Bill Raymond is down in the lobby, sir. Wants to see you.”

“Of course. Let him come up and send him right in.”

Eric nodded and went back to his desk, and Ben moved to the door. “Your father?”

“Yes.”

“Then I should get back to my desk,” Ben said.

“Stay. Meet him. The fact he’s here seems like a good sign,” Adam said, willing it to be true.

Ben looked at his phone. “It’s almost lunch. If it’s good, you two should go out. You can say hello to me on the way out. See how it goes.”

****

Ben watched Adam mulling those words over. “Don’t hurt yourself or make steam come out of your ears. It’s not that big of a deal.” When Adam raised one eyebrow, Ben said, “Well, I’m sure whatever is about to happen is a big deal, but me going back to my desk isn’t a big deal. I won’t go anywhere. If he’s here to apologize, I’d love to meet him.”

Adam nodded. “You’re right. He might not want an audience.”

Ben kissed him on the cheek. “Whatever it is, I’m here.”

“And I’m glad.”

“Seriously? He works for you?” a voice said.

Ben turned and saw a man who looked a lot like Adam standing in the doorway. He could also see Eric a little ways behind the man, his eyes wide with surprise. Ben didn’t have time to look or feel surprised. He was far too busy not punching the man for the tone of his voice.

“Yes, Dad. I told Mom all about him,” Adam said.

“All my friends are calling about this thing in the paper. It’s embarrassing,” Bill said.

“It’s not in the paper. It’s a tiny piece down at the bottom of the paper’s homepage online,” Adam said.

“He’s just after your money,” Bill said.

“He is standing right here, you know,” Ben said.

Bill didn’t even look at him. He remained focused on Adam. “I don’t want to see anything like this in the public eye ever again.”

Adam’s jaw clenched. “That’s your problem. I can’t do anything about that. We’ll be seen together at events, and I’m sure there’ll always be someone taking pictures.”

“Pay them off. You have more than enough money for that,” Bill said.

“Why would I do that? It’s not something I want to cover up.”

Bill straightened. “Fine. Make a fool of yourself.”

“I’m finally happy. I’m in love with a wonderful man, and he’s in love with me.”

Bill looked back at Ben before he turned to Adam and said, “It’s not love. It’s just sex.”

“You can’t talk to him this way,” Ben said.

Bill rounded on him. “I can talk to my son however I want to.”

“I’m not your son. Haven’t been for years,” Adam said. “What I have with Ben is love. Real love. It can’t be bought. It’s unconditional and accepting. And forgiving. That’s what I want in my life now. Not toxic guilt and all this other bullshit.”

Bill put his hands on his hips. “I see there’s no reasoning with you.” He lowered his hands and said, “I hope you’re buying that fancy house in the picture. Your mother’s left me. Not sure where she is now, but I’m sure she’ll be in touch. You probably put the idea in her head, so you get to take care of her now.”