“Awesome. Then I think we can mark it down and start properly booking people.”
“I’ll do whatever I can and contact all of you if I have any questions or concerns,” Azaad says, writing one last thing on his paper, pulling his pen back with flourish. “Then I think this meeting is done and dusted!”
“Thanks again, Azaad,” Rin says softly. “We really appreciate everything you do for us.”
“We love you, Azaad,” I say, waving at the screen.
Kei just sighs. “Yeah, what they said.”
We disconnect the call shortly after that. I pull Gayle into my room, closing the door behind us.
“Hey,” I say softly, holding his hand in one of my own, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry that today wasn’t like a proper date or whatever.”
Gayle steps into my space, bringing his free hand to my face. He leans up on his toes, kissing my lips. I make a surprised noise before surging forward kissing him back.
“That’s okay,” he whispers against my lips. “I think this was even better. I got to spend time with your friends and see you guys working together. I hope I didn’t overstep by offering to help with the fundraiser. I know this is like your guys’ baby.”
I shake my head. “No, no. You didn’t overstep. It feels right to have you involved. Iwantyou involved. I want you as part of my life, Gayle.”
He smiles up at me, the sight making my heart warm. “I want that too, Rodney.”
Clearing my throat, I tentatively ask, “would it be okay if I started calling you my boyfriend?”
Gayle’s cheeks turn pink. He stares at me for a long moment before finally nodding. “Yeah. I’d like that. As long as I get to call you mine.”
I pull Gayle into another kiss, this one broken only because neither of us can stop smiling.
Chapter Ten
Gayle
My stomach is amess of nerves as I wait for a knock at the door. I pace the kitchen, trying to still my racing heart. That’s how Calloway finds me.
“Dad,” he says slowly, leaning against the counter, giving me an unimpressed look. “Stop pacing, you’ll walk a hole into the floor.”
“Sorry,” I murmur, halting my steps. I turn on the sink, drizzling soap in it and starting to scrub it even though I already know it’s clean. I have to dosomething.
“Dad,” he says again, this time laughing. “You have to stop. You’re gonna make me anxious if you keep this up.”
“Shit,” I say right away, rinsing the suds away. I grab the kitchen towel, drying my hands. “Sorry. I don’t even know why I’m so nervous. You’ve literally already met him before, at the candy store.”
“That’s true. He wasn’t your boyfriend though. It’s no big deal. Really. We’re just gonna hang out and watch a movie together.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with him staying the night? If you’d rather it just be us before you’re off to camp, I won’t be upset.”
“I’m sure,” he says with a sigh. We’ve had this conversation like four times already. Today. He’s probably ready to bonk me over the head. “I promise I’ll tell you if anything is weird, but I think this is good. I want to get to know Rodney in real life instead of listening to him on stream. Plus, you mentioned he wouldn’t mind showing me the whole nesting thing and we can’t really do that unless he’s here. Right?”
“You’re right,” I say, rubbing my face with my hands. “I’m sorry I’m being all anxious about it. I really want you to like him but I also don’t wanna put any weird expectations on you.”
This time, Calloway grabs the towel and uses it to whack me. He smiles. “He means a lot to you. I can’t decide if it’s cute or if I’m totally grossed out because you’re my dad.”
I pinch him in retaliation and just like that, some of the worries fade away. Perfect timing because just then, there’s a knock on the door.
With a shaky breath, I walk over to the front door, opening it up for Rodney. He smiles down at me, his silver eyes lighting up. Just having him here soothes something inside of me.
“Hi, Gayle,” he says softly, stepping inside and pulling me into a tight hug. I fit just under his chin. I breathe him in, my entire body relaxing as I get that warm, fresh laundry scent. It washes over me, warming me from the inside out.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I breathe out, pulling back so I can look into Rodney’s eyes.
