Page 100 of Damián

“I’m not talking about the mission. I know you are a pro at what we do and managed to make a great impression on Mr. Psycho trafficker… I’m talking about your feelings. How are you?”

Oh no… This is Finni all over again.

¡Pero qué mierdas!

Does all of New York want to talk about my freaking feelings?!

“My feelings are okay. Why would they be… you know… not okay? I’m fine.”

“Dami…”

“I said I’m fine.” And instead of talking to Björn about my feelings, like a normal person would, I turn around, close my eyes, and jump backward off the edge of the building.

God, this is the best part of the drop.

That split second where your entire body is completely weightless. The air rushes past your skin, swallowing all the noise, and for one perfect moment, you don’t think. You don’t stress… You just feel.

It’s the purest feeling in the world.

At least, right up until Björn ruins it by talking on the comms.

“Dami, I know you’re not okay. This is the first time in your life you’ve actually spent the night with someone.”

Mierda…

“You are ruining my jump,” I growl at him.

“You have done that yourself!” Björn says, imitating the voice of Ewan McGregor.

I burst out laughing, open my eyes, flip upright, and yank my ripcord. Above me, I hear Björn deploying his chute, too.

“It’s okay, Dami. You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to. Just know I am, and always will be, here for you. We all are,” he says, as he pulls on the cords to begin our landing.

We touch down on the rooftop of Synapse Delta. Working quickly, we strip off our parachutes and douse them in a special chemical Tae whipped up. It dissolves fabric on contact, so the evidence will be completely gone long before security makes their rounds up here.

Björn unhooks the diamond-wire saw from his belt and starts slicing through the ventilation grate, while I grip the metal tightly so the bars don’t clatter into the shaft once he cuts through.

“I just want him,” I blurt out the second he finishes cutting.

“Yeah, I kinda guessed you wanted to do the mini drug lord.”

“No, Björn… I just want him. No one else.”

Björn slaps a hand over his mouth and gasps. His eyes go impossibly wide, and honestly, shock doesn’t even begin to describe the face he is making.

More like… stroke?

“Do I need to call an ambulance? Are you dying?” I poke his arm with the bar. “Are you dead?”

“WHAT?!” he pants, clutching his chest. “Damián Soto… are you telling me you want to date this man for real?”

“Yes…”

“Oh, man! I never thought I’d hear you say that. Hell, I figured even Tae was more likely to date than you!”

“Seriously? Tae doesn’t even like to be hugged.”

“Exactly…” Björn grabs me in a hug so tight the beast actually lifts me off the floor. “I am so happy for you!”