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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

HANK

Angie sits at the little table in my kitchen, her work shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and flips through her small notepad.

“Let’s see. Not much action today. Peterson and a few department heads were huddled in meetings.

Everyone at the executive level seems stressed, not sure what’s up.

But I did learn the payroll department is obsessed with you and Elliot.

Both Monicas in accounts receivable asked how you were.

And at lunch, Ned said to give you his condolences, however you want to take that. ”

Across from her, I sort groceries, opening and closing the white wooden cupboards. “The auditing department is getting along without me?”

“It’s a scramble, from what I can tell in tech. But they’ve called in some extra hands.”

Our parents left yesterday morning, back to deal with the upholstery store.

Angie has been stopping by the condo immediately before and after work daily, which I greatly appreciate.

Otherwise, I’ve largely been holed up at home, sleeping and eating and stretching.

I text with Elliot regularly, and generally try to make sense of what the hell just happened.

I set out the guacamole dip and chips that I ordered with Angie in mind.

“That’s good.” I wouldn’t want the team to be in a bind. “Hopefully, everything will return to normal, and the firm won’t decide I’m a PR headache and fire me.”

“It seems that legally, they’d have trouble firing you,” Angie offers. “You were imperiled at a work event. Hell, you could probably sue them, even if they don’t fire you.”

“I’d rather maintain my job on more than a legal loophole.”

“I set up some new lawyers with tech access this week. They acted kind of shady, too. But that wouldn’t have anything to do with you. The real test will be when your boss discovers you’re dating his wayward son.”

I shove chips and guacamole in my mouth. The fatty, salty taste ignites my taste buds, and I savor it while I chew, food still seeming like a minor revelation with every bite.

“Thus far, we have nothing to tell his father.” I turn to pull out some dishes and get the meal prep going.

“Elliot is coming over for dinner tonight, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all.

What would my life be like, if I partnered with someone like him?

A life where I’m dating my angry boss’s son, no less. ”

I ruminate again over the matter, but thinking about the date, I get warm fuzzy feelings in my belly and behind my chest. I’m going to have Elliot in my home and feed him a proper meal, luxuries that would have been impossible on the island. It’s dreamy, in fact.

Like the comfort of seeing an old friend and the excitement of a first date, wrapped up in one home-cooked meal.

The reality that I feel so good with him must be taken into account.

The sun shines on the jade, aloe, and spiderwort in the kitchen window, and I grab my spices from the little shelf. It’s so very good to be back.

“You’ve enjoyed boyfriends who keep you active,” Angie points out. “Guys who encourage you to go to the museums, or science lectures. Elliot would probably open up whole new worlds to you.”

I imagine dancing to techno music with him, like he suggested. And while I’d never track down a queer techno dance party and go on my own, the idea does sound fun. I used to love dancing when I was younger.

“Sure.” I pull out the recipe book with the handwritten pages in the back.

“We enjoy each other’s company, and we make each other laugh.

On the island, at least. But seeing him, I would be inviting a certain level of chaos into my life.

I know that Elliot is capable of being responsible, but I also know he’s a wild card.

” I wrinkle my nose. “Perhaps a part of me might appreciate those qualities. There’s something enjoyable about the surprise of being with him, but also, I like taking care of another person. I like looking out for him.”

“I enjoy dating people who are different than me,” Angie says.

“You know I like my relationships to include plenty of space to do my own thing, and part of why that works for me is because I get to learn about the cool things the women I date are doing while we’re apart.

Amazing shit that I’d never do myself, but that I get to encounter through the relationship. ”

“I like the ways that we’re different,” I tell Angie.

“He draws my attention to things I wouldn’t consider, and honestly, I think it’s good for me, the way he’s quick to show affection, push me to have fun.

He finds the bright side, despite all odds.

And after what we went through, I feel like I know his heart.

I trust him. So even if he does bring some chaos, I know that Elliot would never try to hurt me or do me wrong. ”

Who cares about a little extra nonsense in my life, if it means that Elliot is there with me?

“He could take one look at my life and decide it’s not for him,” I point out. “Unlike Elliot, I’m not full of surprises.”

“I doubt that will happen. You’re a catch.” Angie scoops one more guacamole chip before standing. “I should be on my way. You’ve got your younger lover coming over, and my adventuring party has stolen an important wand from a sorceress queen of the Feywild. I can’t be late for D my entire body is alive.

I compose myself. “It’s Greek food,” I say. “A fish. Branzino. It uses lots of olive oil. I hope that’s okay for you.”

“Yum. Sounds perfect.”

“Great.” I get him a drink, pouring soda water into a glass with ice, and make the same for myself. “How are you going with all your work?”

“It’s okay. I finished an illustration of a vampire lactating before I came over. And I’m making progress on the fliers for the climate rally.”

I walk us into the living room, where my blue flannel couch takes center stage, and we take a seat on either end.

“Vampire lactation is a big project, right? That’s good.”

“Unfortunately, I lost two of my clients on account of the mysterious radio silence when a commission was due.” He sips his soda. “It’s definitely crunch time.”

I nod. “I would have happily gone back to work. I’m eager for a return to normal, but this forced time off has had its benefits. I’m still jumpy.”

Elliot scratches his beard. “I had a nightmare last night that woke me in a cold sweat. We were looking for sticks, and the ocean kept getting bigger.”

“That sound awful.” I take his hand, squeezing. “There’s no way you can lighten your load?”