Ry looked to his lawyer.She leaned over and whispered to him, “Likely to be the best we’ll get.And it’s a damn good one.”
He gave his consent.She had been right.
“We shall agree to those terms.”
“Very well.I’ll have the drafted documents sent to your office by the end of the day for review.”He nodded to them and left.
Sania's fingers brushed the crisp edges of her papers as she gathered them, the soft thump as they settled into her briefcase.Ry got up.They exited the conference room together and walked down the hall, the distant hum of air conditioning their accompaniment.
Arend stood silhouetted against the bright expanse of the open office space, a stark figure by the elevators.His gaze locked onto Ry, a burning, palpable hatred radiating from his narrowed eyes.The heaviness of his loathing rolled off Ry, impervious to the seething man in front of him.The other attorney, Mr.Harcourt, his hand a restraining weight on Arend’s arm, leaned in, his hushed words meant for his colleague only.
As the heavy doors of the elevator thudded shut, closing on the red-faced former manager.Ry let out a soft exhale, a wide grin stretching across his face as he turned to Sania, the warmth of the moment a stark contrast to when they’d arrived.
“Thank you,” he said.
“You are welcome.”She sighed and leaned back against the wall.“Holy shit, that was intense.”
“Yeah, and you are a lifesaver.”
As they stepped out, the harsh glare of the mid-afternoon sun hit Ry's eyes, making him squint.A faint, acrid whiff of exhaust fumes stung his nostrils.He pulled out his phone, his buzzing excitement too much to contain.Yet as his fingers hovered over the phone, it took him longer than expected to write out the message.Ghostfire was no more.They were finally free from the contract.
CHAPTER 23: PRESENT
The doorbell rang, and Ry leaped to his feet and shook out his arms and hands.He hurriedly fixed his hair in the mirror and adjusted the shirt he was wearing.
He answered the door.Alex stood there, a lopsided grin on his face.He wore a loose-fitting button-up, open to show a tight tank and shorts that barely covered the tops of his legs.He held a shopping bag in one hand.
“Come in,” Ry said, stepping aside.
Alex followed him inside.“Wow, I can’t believe you’re selling this place.”
Ry shrugged and pulled Alex closer by the ends of his shirt and kissed him lightly on the lips.“I have to.I’ve gotta pay for the deal and my lawyer, and it makes sense to sell this monstrosity.But might as well give a proper goodbye.”
Alex took Ry’s hand, and Ry led them both to the kitchen.The savory aroma of butter and thyme potatoes roasting in the oven filled the room.Alex set the bag down on the counter and unloaded it.He pulled out a chilled bottle of sparkling water, a pre-made salad, and a decadent chocolate cake, placing them in the fridge for later.He then leaned against the countertop and watched Ry.
“Cooking is new,” he said.“But damn, it smells great.”
“Brand and I have been taking some classes together,” Ry said.“It’s been a nice change of pace.Are you impressed?”
Alex laughed.“We’ll see how dinner turns out.”But he looked happy to be there.
“Did you want something to drink?I have lemonade, iced tea, and sodas too.”
“Good for now.”
Ry brushed up against Alex.“You look good,” he said, crowding Alex’s space.He had a divine scent: vanilla with a hint of spice, clean.He ran a finger up and down Alex’s biceps and down to his hand, taking it in his own hand and leaning close.“And you smell luscious.”
Alex wrapped his arms around him and pulled him in.Ry rested his head on Alex’s chest, and he relaxed into the embrace as he had so many years ago.
“Your hair smells good,” Alex murmured, rubbing circles on his back.“You’re so fucking cute.God, it’s nice to have you in my arms again.”
Ry chuckled and looked up into those emerald eyes.He fell into the sea of him, and he stretched up to kiss him.Their lips met, soft and tender.Alex had a flavor of mint and his own.Ry melted into the other man, leaning in with his full weight.
The timer rang out.Ry sighed into Alex’s open mouth.“How hungry are you?”
“For dinner?”
Ry playfully tapped his pec.“You pick.”
