Page 61 of Line Change

“Dinner opened your door?”

“The driver was at the door.” I watch Fraser find plates in the first cabinet he tries. “How’s Korolev?”

“He’s good. Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“No.” The answer comes out fast enough that Fraser looks over.

“You asked about Vasya after forty seconds.”

I turn away and lower my voice. “I ask about him every time.”

“Usually after at least two minutes.”

Fraser is still watching me. I face the window. “I have food getting cold.”

“Okay.” Grayson draws the word out. “Call me later.”

“I will.”

“You always say that.”

Fraser carries both containers toward the coffee table. I don’t want him putting his shoes on again. “I’ll call tomorrow.”

He makes me promise before he lets me hang up.

Fraser has the food set out on the coffee table when I put my phone down. His jeans are buttoned, but his shoes are still beside the couch.

“Everything okay?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

He hands me a container. “You got off the phone fast.”

“Food was getting cold.”

“Right.”

I open my Pad Thai. “It was.”

Fraser doesn’t argue. He picks up his fork and takes a bite. His eyes water almost immediately.

“Too spicy?”

“Fuck off.”

He takes another bite to prove whatever point he thinks he’s making.

The food is good. Fraser admits it after half the container, then tries to claim the discount made it taste cheap. I tell him he can pay full price next time. He tells me there won’t be a next time if I keep talking.

There will be. I still have the restaurant saved in the app.

We keep talking after the game ends. Seattle’s next road trip leads to whether Bobby cheats at cards. When Fraser starts making fun of the condo again, we end up on the boxes in my second bedroom.

“Are you ever going to unpack them?” Fraser asks.

“There’s nothing in there I need.”

“Do you know what’s in them?” He lifts his head from the arm of the couch.