Chapter 3: The Circles Disturbed
Even after Ralph had vanished, Simon remained standing by Heart’s desk, waste-paper basket in hand, eyes fixed on the next best object, mind wandering. He didn’t understand what Ralph had meant, he didn’t understand what he had meant, and he didn’t understand what was going on inside him. He had never felt this confused and this vulnerable before.
If the past weeks had proven anything, it was that he was falling in love with Ralph Golding. It was not something he could deny. Against his better judgment—it was unprofessional and stupid and bloody careless—he felt himself relax when Ralph was in the room with him. He felt physically drawn to the other man. When they were apart, he couldn’t help but look forward to meeting again. Simon had checked these symp
