Kenji’s disappointment was swift and brutal. It stung like a rejection, even as he knew Qylar was probably right.
“I have news,” Qylar said.
“What’s that?”
Qylar cleared his throat. “You have an appointment tomorrow morning.”
Kenji searched Qylar’s face, but he averted his eyes.
“For the removal.”
“Yes,”Qylar whispered.
Silence lingered between them for a few minutes.
“Am I doing the right thing?” Kenji asked him.
Qylar closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he reopened them. “Only you know that, Kenji. I can’t make this decision for you. Just know that you have my full support either way. You won’t be alone through this.”
Kenji rested his head on Qylar’s shoulder, his doubts growing. He didn’t have long to decide. Tomorrow morning would be there in no time.
“Dinner!” Cryss called from the dining room.
Qylar rose and turned, offering his hand.
Kenji stared up at it but hesitated in taking it.
Qylar squatted in front of him. “If you need some quiet time, I can fix you a plate and bring it to our room. If you’d like me there, I can make us two plates.”
“I wouldn’t want to be rude.”
“They’d understand,” Qylar said.
Kenji searched his face, this man who felt so comfortable. This man who’d opened a whole new world to him.
This man who made him feel treasured for the first time in his life.
Did he really take away the thing he wanted most out of fear of the unknown? Or was he making a choice out of guilt instead of practicality and reason?
He reached for Qylar’s hand and once up, he wrapped his arms around the man, hugging him tight.
“Thank you for all you do for me.”
Qylar’s arms wrapped around him and squeezed him. “You never have to thank me, Kenji.”
Kenji lifted on his toes and pressed his lips to Qylar’s. He settled back down and smiled. “Now let’s go have dinner with your friends.”
CHAPTER 16
After dinner was over, Alex asked Cryss and Qylar to get the kids ready for bed, leaving him and Kenji alone at the table.
“We haven’t shown you the balcony yet. The view from there is gorgeous,” Alex said. “How about we go sit and prop our feet up?”
“Okay,” Kenji answered, still struggling with his raging thoughts.
Once settled into two comfy chairs with their legs up, Kenji sat back and enjoyed the view. Alex hadn’t been wrong. They could see out far into the ocean—and on occasion, sea creatures that looked similar to whales and dolphins jumped out to make a splash under the two setting suns.
“Do you mind me asking some somewhat personal questions?” Kenji asked.
