He shrugged, tasting that cake. Too rich and thick. He put the fork down and downed the coffee. “My banker takes care of it. I don’t give a shit anymore.”
“Well… save for our little partnership.” Her eyes twinkled as she fished that large leather folder out of her bag. She opened it, taking two pens from a golden pencil case. “Let’s sign.” She uncapped the pen and signed with her flowing letters, pushing the folder and a pen in front of him, watching him put it to paper. “You were a good fuck.”
He laughed, almost sliding the pen askew, messing his signature up. He threw the pen on the sheets, looking at her. “Thanks.”
“And now, look at us. Two aging business partners, signing over coffee and cake.”
Damian’s lips had kept that amused smile. “I might have loved you.”
“Ouch…” She rose, gathering the folder, sliding it back inside that large black bag. He had stepped to her, and she faced him, studying his face, his eyes. “But you didn’t. You love now. And I am thrilled for you.”
They kicked his chest, those words in her deep voice. Watching her hands go up to his neck, cupping his face. Her lips, close. “May I? As a final goodbye.” He didn’t need to answer, closing his eyes when her lips met his lips. His chest tight. But that kiss stayed there, on the lips. Warm, soft. She let him go with her smile, sliding her hand down his cheek. “Thank you. I’ll see you soon at the board meeting, partner.”
He just nodded, unable to talk, his emotions whirling. Watching her leave, her swaying hips, that graceful swing of her arms when they helped her long coat on. A final look, those lips into her small smile. Sharp, like a painting on that stunning face.
He blew a breath, still dazed a bit, a quick lick to his lips, her lipstick’s taste, barely there. He smiled, leaving, putting his coat on to face that cold breeze whirling the leaves around. Walking briskly home, his hands in his pockets.
Damian had picked Armando up later, and watched him play in that vast living room, the sky grey, laden with dark clouds. Racing his cars on that polished wooden floor whilst he sat with his laptop, reading his emails. Answering some others.
Hearing the door, his eyes went to Gabe, to his exhausted eyes. “Home?”
“Yes… hard day.” Gabe kicked his shoes off and scooped Armando up, who had rushed into his arms. Sitting on the sofa, letting him go. “I’m dead…”
“School is a killer.” He grinned, closing his laptop.
“All done?” Searching his eyes.
“Yeah… we signed.” Pulling a small face. “Knowing her, it’s a good investment. More money in a couple of years.”
Gabe’s eyes got a bit lost. “Jesus… what for?”
Damian had no answer. His eyes went to the sky. Fat drops splattering on the windows as the rain lashed at them. Silent. That soft shush swallowed but that double security glass and soundproofed sealing. He sighed, wishing to just hear it, step outside and get soaked. Not an option. Watching Armando slide his hands on the glass, his fingers chasing those droplets.
Gabe’s head went to his shoulder. “I’m so tired…”
“Just sleep.” He kissed his head.
Armando ran to him. “Papá… push the wheel back.” He gave him a small car, one of the wheels loose.
Damian took it, holding it with his three fingers on his left hand. He pushed with the right one, clicking it back into place. “Here.”
Armando grabbed his left hand. “I told my friends you have a T-Rex hand.” Playing with his fingers.
Damian smiled. “T-Rex?”
“Yes.” He held up three fingers, curling the two others in his palm. “Grrrrr.”
Damian and Gabe laughed, and Damian held his hand up, catching that other small hand with his fingers. “Watch out. The T-Rex might just catch you.” Armando darted away, laughing, and he got up and chased after him. All over that large flat, growling and squealing. Collapsing on the sofa, laughing, wrestling until they could hardly breathe. Gabe snapped some photos of them, Armando laying on Damian, smiling wide, his hands grabbing his T-shirt.
Damian smoothed his hair back. “Ok… little T-Rex… you win… To the bath with you.”
“Can I play with my boats?”
“Sure.”
He darted off, and Gabe got up. “I’ll help him.”
“And I’ll cook something.” Damian rose, stretching.
