PAUL Ragem winced, stopping when they walked out into daylight. Evan paused with him. “You’re sure you’re ready for this?”
“I’m ready to go home,” the other said, shading his eyes. He glanced at Evan and half-smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m sure I feel worse than I look.”
Sorting that out, he had to laugh as Paul intended. “If you say so. The med-tech’s cleared you and Esolesy’s waiting on the ship.” Evan hesitated, embarrassed. “Please apologize to her. I meant to pick her up at the shrine.” He didn’t remember too much about last night, not a fact to share. There’d been a quiet spot to observe without attracting the wrong attention. Excuse me, Ambassador Hansen, you didn’t want me here, but I thought I’d crash your party. Why had he gone in the first place?
There’d been a drink. Admiring amber eyes.
“I don’t know what happened,” he admitted.
“Don’t worry. My partner needed some time alone.” Paul’s smile faded. “We’ll both rest on the trip.”
“Lucky Esolesy left the wallow before the plumbing broke and disturbed so much of the shrine.”
Paul’s eyebrow rose. “‘Plumbing?’”
“It was in the newsfeed this morning. I’m glad she saw it as it was,” Evan added, though he agreed with Siokaletay-ki. A degrading misuse of personal treasures. He’d put his bust of the infamous Teganersha-ki on the table by his bed at home, where it would be safe.
He’d been tempted to give it to Paul—then realized any gift was selfish. He’d no right to push something of himself into Paul’s life. Evan straightened and held out his hand. “Thank you for coming, Paul. For everything.”
“Don’t be a stranger,” Paul Ragem ordered, taking his hand in a tight clasp, gray eyes bright. “We’ll expect you to visit.”
“I will,” Evan promised, managing to smile. “I wish you luck with your someone.”
“And you.” Paul smiled, leaned close, and kissed Evan firmly on the mouth.
And if it was the kiss of a friend?
As Evan watched the groundcar—and Paul Ragem—pull away—he decided it was still the best kiss of his life.