บท 16: Chapter 16

“Look, I can—” Blaze began.

“All right, here’s what I propose,” Arik said, too loudly for the confinement of the car

“Okay?” Blaze studied Arik. The ashen coloring had retreated, leaving Arik his usual creamy olive tan. His brow was furrowed, his hair messy from wind and stress tugs at its roots, and he was all-over rumpled and damp. He licked his upper lip. Blaze bit his own.

Arik took a breath. “Stay,” he said, and the air rushed from his lungs, his words riding the tide. “Come up and just stay. The room’s booked on the company dime, so that’s covered, and I’d like to at least buy you dinner after what I did in the…Well. Just after what I did.”

Blaze wisely chose that moment not to tell Arik that he’d bought Blaze coffee already, today. That might clue Arik in too soon on how Blaze really did survive so off the grid, and Blaze still didn’t know how long he was going to be with this particular Quest. “…And?” Blaze asked.

“And?”

“Seemed like you were going to say more, is all.”