“Ah, sorry. Gotta take this.” He pressed answer. “Hey, Jake. Did you get some rest?”
“Yeah. But I’m hungry.”
Noah caught Ramin watching him, eyes twinkling. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I can go.”
Noah shook his head. He didn’t want Ramin to go. He held up a hand and mouthed,Wait?
Then, aloud, “I’m on my way back. We’ll get you something. Okay?”
“Okay. Did you know they have American shows here, too? Can I watch TV?”
Noah ran a hand through his hair. He and Angela hadn’t even talked about screen time rules for while they were overseas. Plus Jake would still need to go back to bed and try to get on a good sleep schedule.
Was Angela even awake? Or would she sleep straight through?
He turned back to Ramin, who mouthed,I better go, and gestured down the street.
Noah wanted to reach out and take his hand, hold him in place, at least get a proper hug goodbye, but—
“Dad? You there?”
“Huh? Yeah, Jakey?”
“Remember how you promised we could have mac and cheese?”
“I didn’t promise, Jake. You can’t put words into my mouth.”
“But you said—”
Noah pinched the bridge of his nose. Ramin was backing away, waving at him.
It felt like someone had poured cold water over him.
He wanted to say a proper goodbye.
He didn’t want to say goodbye at all.
But he gave a little wave.
Ramin Yazdani smiled and turned and walked out of his life again.
Noah took a deep breath. Jake had no way of knowing he wasinterrupting anything. Noah kept his voice even. “Why don’t we talk about this when I get back. Okay, Jakey? I’m not far.”
“You promise?”
“I promise we’lltalk. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Be there soon. Love you.”
nine
Ramin
Ramin turned back to stare as Noah walked away, phone to his ear, reiterating to his son that screen time rules still applied overseas. Ramin couldn’t help it: It was impossible to ignore the way Noah’s back and shoulders filled out his shirt, the way his ass looked in those shorts, the way his deep, smooth voice was full of love and patience.
He shook himself. What was the point in admiring a man he had literally zero chance with? He spun around and power-walked in the direction of his apartment.
