“Shit.” Dan whispered, wriggling to free himself from Mark’s embrace. He glanced briefly at Mark, whose eyes were rimmed in red, glistening with the tears he had shed. Snot clung to his upper lip.
Outside, the rain had abated to a soft patter and Dan’s gaze moved to the closed door. He was still too stunned to know what to do, to put his feet into motion, or to at least say something.
Ironically, it was Mark who spoke up, motivating Dan. “Aren’t you going to go after him?”
Dan glanced at Mark, surprised that he would make such a suggestion—surprised and very touched. He reached out and gently touched Mark’s lips, whispering, “Thank you.”
He roused himself from the couch and ran outside into the now misty, humid day. It was like a blanket of warm damp out here, like a steam room, and Da
