Somewhere nearby.
Greg whirled around to find Valerie behind him.
She looked exactly as she always did; sensible, efficient, mildly annoyed at the universe. Her arms were crossed and her mouth was set in a thin line.
“Grigoreth,” she said. “I've been sent to collect you. Morrith is... not happy.”
“Wow.” Dustin leaned back in his chair, eyebrows raised. “They actually sent someoneto fetch you?”
Valerie went rigid.
Her gaze snapped to Dustin. Then back to Greg. Then to Dustin again.
“He can see me,” she said.
“I can also hear you,” Dustin offered. “Just in case you were wondering.”
Valerie stared at Greg. The irritation in her expression changed into something closer to alarm. “What exactly have you beendoingwith your assignment, Grigoreth?”
“It's complicated.”
“Clearly.” Her voice was sharp. “Morrith wants you back at HQ. Now. Not later. Not after you've finished your...” She looked at the remains of Greg's ice cream cone with visible distaste. “...whatever this is.”
“We're on a date,” Dustin said helpfully.
Valerie's eye twitched.
Greg wanted to disappear into thin air.
Instead, he stood up, abandoning the last bite of his waffle cone. His fingers still tingled where ice cream had dripped. His face still burned where Dustin had touched him.
“I have to go,” he said.
“Yeah, I gathered,” Dustin said, but he caught Greg's wrist before he could step back. His grip was warm and firm.
“Come find me after,” he said. “Yeah?”
Greg nodded. He didn't trust his voice.
Dustin's thumb swept once across the inside of Greg's wrist—a barely-there touch—and then he let go.
Valerie watched this exchange with an expression of consternation.
“Let's go,” she said. “Now, Grigoreth.”
Greg followed her toward the door, mind racing.
“I can't believe this,” Valerie muttered as they reached the door. “How long has this been going on?”
Greg shrugged. Did it even matter what he said to Valerie now? Morrith was going to have his head either way.
“Well, come on.” Valeria grabbed him by the arm and dragged him through the door with her.
Greg went, knowing he could not escape his meeting with his boss.
But his thoughts still lingered on Dustin's thumb on his mouth. Dustin's eyes on his lips. The almost-kiss that hung between them like a promise.
Come find me after.
