“If color runs can make money off of Holi, so can I. At least I’m Indian. If anyone should profit off of this cultural event, it’s me.”
“That’s mercenary. It’s a wonder I ever win against you.”
“Don’t be ashamed that you don’t have the killer instinct. Some people just don’t have the temperament for this type of work.” I bump into him so he knows I’m joking.
I snatch my hand back when we enter the house. Gavin flashes me a look I can only interpret as disappointed. I shrug, not able to move at light speed to get comfortable with this just yet.
His face reverts to his usual good-humored expression. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Oh, you don’t want to...” I indicate my door, hoping he gets the message about the shower, or the bed, or the floor...wherever. “I thought maybe we could do some of that hanging out plus you were talking about?”
Gavin groans and jerks forward for a quick kiss on my lips. More of a peck, really. A disappointing one.
“You’re killing me, Smalls. I want to.” And he does sound regretful, rubbing balm on the sting his words cause with another quick kiss. “But I’ve got to get some work done for my event tomorrow. And some other work to finish up as well.” He looks at his door and then back to me. “When you were accusing me of sleeping with you only for the edge it would give me, I didn’t know it was because that’s what you were doing to me.”
He’s gone from regretful to desperate now. That is a good development.
“Go work. I get it.” I push him away lightly.
“This isn’t a trick? Or a test?”
“No. I’ve been on the other end of that enough times to never do it to you.” I’m probably one of the few people who can understand the work obsession, and genuinely won’t mind when he has to work. Because I’ll be doing my own work. Like I should be now. “I mean, I don’t get it, if you wanted me to stay with you, why didn’t you just say that? I can’t with the mind reading.”
“Ditto.” Gavin makes up his mind. “We can do hanging out plus after dinner, if you want. And a lot slower this time. I promise.”
Hmm. Something to look forward to.
Dinner is taking forever.
My shower took forever. Checking my email took forever. Calling Mom and listening to her talking about some Astor who just became single took forever.
I couldn’t even fall asleep during the nap I allowed myself earlier. Which means I’m tired and horny and maybe I have a little heat stroke from all that running in the sun.
It’s a lot more exercise than I’ve gotten for a while. And a lot more sun, probably.
But all I want is to get to Gavin’s promise of after dinner hanging out plus, and it’s making me antsy.
One thing I have going for me is that Harrison’s amazing staff are cooking all of my comfort foods, so as soon as they come out, I’ll start feeling better.
One thingnotgoing for me is that they’re on Indian Standard Time, so dinner is running a little late. So is Gavin, actually.
I wasn’t expecting everyone to getthatinto the theme today.
At least the wine is on time.
Gavin comes into the dining room after the chaat appetizers are served, hair still wet from his shower.
“I’m sorry I’m late, Harrison. I was getting some last-minute details ready for tomorrow.”
“Of course. I can’t put you to work then get mad at you when you do it.”
“Did I miss anything?” Gavin asks me.
“No. I drank your wine so they wouldn’t notice you weren’t here.” I point to his glass, the last few drops of wine I didn’t get still at the bottom.
“Kind of you. But what would you have done when they didn’t see anyone, you know, in the seat?”
“Say you had diarrhea and stepped out? I don’t know, Gavin. I can’t take care of everything. I was on wine duty.”
