More Than Meets the Eye - Page 132
“Ooh, Mr.Hadley.You really know how to charm a broke boy.”
With that, Sami kissed him—the most beautiful version of a yes.
The fantasy of romantically sharing pastries in bed was interrupted by Mr.Dunkeld’s call at six-thirty in the morning, informing them that Sami’s immunity deal was ready to be signed.
Still, Baz was nothing if not a man of his word, even for a promise he only made to himself.So they stopped by the bakery on their way.His car might never be free from the flaky crumbs of Sami’s croissant again, but they also offered the perfect excuse to feel Sami up when Baz thoroughly wiped them off the shirt Sami had ‘borrowed’ before they went up to Dunkeld’s office.
They each read the deal and found everything in place.
Sami’s hand was shaking as he placed his signature on the line.
How they had managed to keep a modicum of composure instead of falling into each other’s arms in front of Dunkeld, Baz didn’t know, only that their restraint wore off the moment they stepped outside.
Sami bounced on the spot before hurling himself at Baz.He held Baz in a chokehold, his legs wrapped around his lower back in the middle of the sidewalk.An old lady tutted at them.Baz couldn’t care less.
“I’m free.”Sami’s whisper turned into a laugh.He squeezed Baz tighter.
“Let’s tell Ian, shall we?”
Sami nodded, his eyes glowing.Wonderful.He placed Sami on his feet and slung his arms around him.This would be the fun part.He couldn’t imagine how gratifying it would be for Sami to finally get his payback.
His office was much brighter with Sami planted on his desk.Perhaps he could redecorate it,Sami-fyit, now that he was bound to stay here for a while.Aya seemed confident that he’d get to keep his job, anyway.
He snuck Sami to the partner floors’ kitchen to steal a proper coffee and got blessed with that light, mischievous giggle when they hurried down the stairs hand in hand—and ran straight into Aya.
“There you are,” she said.She was sporting a bright red blouse under a gray suit-hijab combo.One of her manyget-shit-doneoutfits that shone especially bright next to Collin’s boring navy suit.“We’re about to leave for the settlement meeting.You coming?”
It hadn’t even occurred to Baz that was an option.A few weeks ago, this meeting had been all he wished for, but now…
“You and Collin got that.We have something more important to take care of.”He traded a knowing smile with Sami.
Aya’s nod felt approving.She turned to Sami.“Who would have thought you’d be a good influence?”
Now that was just uncalled for.“Aya—”
“I’m as shocked as you are,” Sami said, charming as always.Baz loved him so much.Who knew, now that he got to be around him more, maybe he could pick up a few tricks.
“You have a weird taste in men,” she said, then added something in Arabic that had Sami’s spine straightening.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.”With a last once-over and just the hint of a smirk softening her face, Aya strutted to the elevator, her red heels clacking on the floor.
“Okay, I’m officially obsessed with her,” Sami gushed.
“What did she say to you?”
“Uh, I’m rusty and she speaks in an Egyptian dialect, but I’m pretty sure she threatened to break my knees if I break your heart.”
Of course a threat was what got Sami obsessed with her.He truly was a masochist.
Still, Baz couldn’t suppress a silly smile, hearing her be so protective of him.
“Yeah.She’s awesome.”Probably in a lot more ways than even Baz knew.He couldn’t wait to find out, explore their friendship outside of the office.Life beyond the hyperfocus on work offered so many possibilities.
Speaking of.Collin still lingered as if he didn’t know whether he was a part of their conversation or if he should follow Aya.
He had been Baz’s rival since the first day of law school, the only one who could compete with him for the top grades.Baz had done nothing but dismiss him the entire time, and for what?Because he was jealous that Collin was better at the social stuff?
