They begged off a ride from Christina and called for a cab. Nicolae didn’t speak while they waited. He remained silent on the drive to Dustin’s apartment. It was awkward, confusing, and Dustin was biting his lip nervously when the cab finally rolled to a stop. “Should I, like, take your hand or something?”
“That would be helpful,” Nicolae said, reaching across the seat as Dustin slid out. It was an odd sensation to grab a grown man’s hand. Dustin could probably count off the top of his head the number of hands he’d held in his lifetime. His father’s…His brain shut down the thought. Just not fast enough to stop the lance of pain that pierced through him. “Dustin?” Nicolae asked, tilting his head in question.
“Come on.” Dustin tugged Nicolae sharply. “Before it starts raining.”
“Hmm,” Nic
