The Salaryman's Wife(125)

“So my gaijin escorts are getting along?” I shifted around to face him.

“Let’s say we care deeply about the same investment, albeit for different reasons.”

“I’m going to let that ridiculous comment pass on account of my headache, but watch it,” I warned.

“Relax, it’s just a figure of speech. Continuing with our schedule, we’ll lunch and drive to your flat to pick up the clothes Richard promised to have ready: the few decent things you own, in his words.”

“What are you talking about?” I was suddenly worried. “Captain Okuhara said I didn’t have to go to Shiroyama after all.”

“You’re moving in with me, aren’t you? Richard said you wanted to.” Hugh’s voice had a tenderness I never would have expected.

“That was because of your injury and problems with police. I wanted to be with you for the little time we had left. But now that there are no extenuating circumstances, I hardly think it’s necessary—”

He held up a hand to stop me. “Let’s be practical, then. I could provide you with a great business address. All I ask is that you collect me every night along with your faxes.”

A great wave of laughter swept over me then, and I looked into his green-gold eyes, warm with something I had seen before but finally realized was all for me.

“You’re incorrigible,” I said. “A capitalist Scot who’s far too proprietary—”

“But you want me anyway?”

Water sloshed over the side of the tub as I landed on him, giving my answer.