Page 212 of Light Leech

”’Decent’ is right, if not a little generous.”

“Look, Abbas, I’ve let it go–””I know. I want to believe that you have, but I… I dunno. Maybe it’s me who is struggling to forgive myself.”

“At least you’re making up for it.” We had all been hurt enough as of late and I didn’t want to keep this wound open. “Anything new at Haven?”

“Not much. Plenty of arguments over the presidency that’ll probably hold out until the election.”

“Zeg, that’s next month, isn’t it?”

“It’s three months away, but don’t sweat it.”

“Why, because you’ll handle everything with Haven?” I stopped myself and let out a breath. “I don’t mean that in a bad way. Handle it all you want, I want you to take ahold of that–”

“If you want me to, I’ll keep my hand in it.”

“Of course, du.”

“I doubt they’ll win the election again after all of this guk, but I’ll utilize my company assets as best I can, you plug?”

“One hundred percent. Also, don’t feel like you need to run everything you do past me. I’m not the leader–”

“But you kind of are…”

I shook my head. “Sure, I can act like the adult in the group when the younger ones need direction, but you understand half of the world that I don’t. Do what you need. Act as you think best. Just let me know what you need from me. Ralia… she led her own jobs. I guess she still will… I don’t know. We’ll figure it out. What I mean is–”

“I plug. We’ll work and keep in touch.” He held his hand out to me. I took it and we shook.

We took the next few minutes to stare out into the rain again. Relaxation still felt like a feat, but for a few short minutes, my thoughts were empty.

“Why waste your time with me?” he asked.

“Waste? Nah. This was much needed.”

“Guy time? Why not go to Boyband.”

I shrugged. “I’ll talk to him later.”

“You didn’t come to me because I looked lonely, right?”

I shrugged again.

“Well, I appreciate it.”

“I’m glad.”

“But you really should go to her.”

I smirked but kept my eyes forward.

“I’ll get to her soon.”

“Trouble in paradise?”

“Oh, not at all.”

“Has Zhou been bothering her?”

“The homunculus? Ha, we’ll chat about that thing later. It’s full of… fun. Sure, that’s the word.”