“Landonnnnn!” He throws his arms around me in a quick, fierce hug. “You look like you’ve already conquered the world this morning.”
“More like the world is trying to conquer me,” I laugh, hugging him back. “But I’m hanging in there. Some of these legal documents are just…gargh.”
Todd laughs and nods his head in acknowledgement. We both love the law, but there’s no getting around the fact that some of it is pretty damn dry.
We check in, change into the provided robes and towels, and head to the private sauna suite we always book. It’s small, cedar-lined, and blissfully hot. The moment we step inside and the door seals behind us, the tension in my shoulders starts to melt.
“Oooh, this is it,” Landon says, stretching his legs. “This is what I needed.”
“Yup,” I reply, smiling as the heat sinks onto me and grounds me in a way that gives me no choice but to submit.
We settle onto the upper bench, leaning back against the warm wood. The heat wraps around us like a blanket. For a few minutes we just breathe, letting the steam do its work.
“So… Jonathan McEvoy,” Todd says, fanning himself dramatically even though we’ve only been in here two minutes. “I still can’t get over how unfairly gorgeous he is. That jawline should come with a warning label.”
I roll my eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t fall out.
“He’s a walking red flag, Todd,” I say. “A total sleaze. Remember yesterday? The way he just marched up and said I was sexy like I was a piece of meat on display?Hardpass.”
Landon sighs, long and theatrical. “I know, I know. He was a dick to you. I’m not defending him. I’m just… appreciating aesthetics. From a safe distance.”
“Appreciate aesthetics somewhere else,” I mutter, but there’s no real heat in it. “There are plenty of hot guys in the world who aren’t condescending assholes.”
“True.” Todd stretches his legs out once more. “But finding arealDaddy? Someone who actually gets it. You know, the structure, the care, the…everything? That feels impossible lately.”
I nod slowly. “Yeah. It’s way easier said than done. Half the guys online are just playing dress-up. They want the kink without the responsibility. The control without the aftercare.Urgh. Screw men.”
“Exactly!” Todd slaps the bench for emphasis. “I want someone who’ll tell me to drink my waterandmean it. Someone who notices when I’m spiraling and pulls me back. Not just someone who wants to bend me over for a quick fuck and call it dominance.”
We both go quiet for a second, the only sound the soft hiss of steam and our breathing.
“Maybe we’re asking too much,” I say finally.
“Maybe the right ones are just… rare,” Todd says, a hint of hope in his voice. “We’re too good to settle!”
I chuckle and we sit with that thought until the heat becomes almost too much. When the timer beeps, we step out, cool off with cold towels on our necks, and change back into street clothes feeling lighter, looser.
The sauna definitely hit the spot, that’s for sure. But the day is rolling on and we’ve both got plenty to do.
“Afternoon coffee after your corporate finance lecture?” Todd asks as we push through the front doors into the now-bright morning.
“Absolutely. Text me when you’re done.”
“Deal.” Todd squeezes my hand. “Love you, dude. Go slay those mergers.”
“Love you too. Don’t let any fake Daddies slide into your DMs before then either!” I guffaw.
He laughs and waves as he heads the opposite direction.
I watch him go for a second, smiling, then turn toward campus. The strange heaviness from my early-morning memory lingers, but it’s quieter now.Manageable.
Anyway… I have class to keep me occupied.
I have goals.
I have a best friend who makes even the hardest mornings feel survivable.
And somewhere deep down, buried under layers of ambition and carefully constructed control, I have the same quiet hope Todd does.
