Page 68 of Unrequited Sloth

“Of course.” Daniel gestured for them to sit at the table.

Bobby opened his laptop and navigated to the document he’d been pulling together, alongside the case. He connected his laptop to the screen on Daniel’s wall. The man himself leaned back, giving it his full attention. That was something he’d noticed when working with Daniel over the past few months. The man seemed to be in a hundred places at once, but when you were with him, he was focused on you.

“I wasn’t sure if we’d have to go to court, and I didn’t want them held in limbo when they need fundraising now. Most revenue comes in during the spring and summer, and they need to be in a good place for Pride month.

“I spoke to several PR firms and shortlisted these three. All of them will offer their services for free for three months, with no expectation that a contract will be signed afterwards. I’ve vetted them all. This is a summary of the due diligence,” he said, flicking to that slide. “Then I have at least three testimonials for each firm from their LGBTQ+ clients.”

“When did you have time to do this?”

“I was worried about the impact this would have if it was dragged through court. Even if they won, it wouldn’t give them back this time to connect with the community.”

“Fucking hell, Bobby, you’re gonna make me cry in the office.”

Bobby looked at him, dumbfounded. “You can cry?”

Daniel laughed before jumping up. “What’s your diary like for lunch?”

“I don’t have any calls.”

“Excellent.” He walked over to his office door and opened it. “Claudette, can you add Bobby to the reservation I have with Sarah later.”

Bobby didn’t hear her response, but assumed she was on it, based on Daniel’s smile.

“Do you have a recommendation from the three you shortlisted?”

“Yeah, I’ve got it on another slide.”

“Save it and tell Sarah at lunch.”

“Sarah, as in the CEO of Rainbow Futures?”

Bobby had never met her, as she dealt with Daniel, while he had mostly been working with her team on the case. They were closer to the detail, and Bobby had gotten to know them well over the past few months.

“You did all the work, Bobby. You put it to her, along with your recommendation.”

“Didn’t you say Sarah was a good friend of yours?”

“She is. We’ve known each other since uni.”

“Won’t I be imposing on your lunch?”

“Not at all. Meet me downstairs in reception at twenty past twelve. It’s a ten-minute walk from here. Assume we’ll be gone a couple of hours. Although, knowing Sarah, I would probably clear your afternoon.”

Bobby wasn’t sure what to say to that. All he could do was agree and hope he didn’t make a tit out of himself later.

Bobby walked into the flat and saw Gabriel at his desk. He went over to him, leaned down, and kissed him on the forehead. Gabriel startled, his eyes widening.

“Hello, my sexy husband.”

Bobby was surprised when he heard someone laughing. He looked at the screen and saw Jason looking at him with a big grin on his face.

“Something you want to tell me, Gabriel?” asked Jason.

“I’ll speak to you tomorrow,” said Gabriel, ending the call to the sound of Jason laughing. “What are you doing, Bobby? That could have been a stakeholder or a vendor.”

“Sorry. Please don’t be cross with me. I like you smiling and looking all sexy.”

“Are you drunk?”