36: Confused Feelings On Your Birthday

It was not a good start to the day. Stephen’s suit was a rumpled mess from being dropped on a pool deck, pulled onto a wet body, and cast aside again at Inho’s. It looked as lousy as he felt, and, he felt like flaming garbage. He glared at Sarah the receptionist on the way in, biting off his hellos with a curt nod. She was definitely judging him for walking in wearing last night’s clothes like some college kid.

He fell into his rolling chair with none of his usual grace. At least he’d showered and shaved at Inho’s place, though his skin felt dry without his usual products. He ran his hands through his hair, shot off a text to Inho coordinating his keys being dropped off, and spun to put a pod in the Nespresso machine behind him. Downing the coffee, he scalded his tongue and cursed at the world in general.

Stephen was a man of routine, and lack of sleep was throwing off his very existence. This wouldn’t happen again. Inho had seduced him with his cute smiles and perfect laugh, but it would be the last time Stephen interrupted his routine for anyone. He’d have to get a handle back on that whole relationship, it was spiraling out of control, just like his life. Inho was supposed to be a hookup, maybe a fun plaything for a few weeks, but this wasn’t even fun. This was exhausting.

He paused and took some deep breaths. It was going to be fine. He was just tired, and he kept an extra suit in the closet for events anyway. Thank goodness. He went to pull it out just as Inho texted him that he’d drop by at noon with the keys. Good everything was – Dammit!

The suit was burgundy, formal, and slim-fitting, with black lapels. He had forgotten he had a gala coming up and had put it in there in preparation. It was way too flashy for a regular day. He sighed and put it on anyway. At the very least, he looked damn good in it.

He went to tell Sarah the frumpy receptionist that he was expecting a guest at noon.

“You look nice today, Stephen.” She quirked a grey eyebrow at his outfit, “Did you change your suit?”

“Yes, I spilled coffee on the other one, is there a problem?”

“Of course not sir,” Sarah replied with a knowing smile.

Stephen’s lip curled in distaste for her, “His name is Inho Kim. When he arrives, bring him directly to my office and hold my calls, okay?”

“Of course sir.” Sarah drawled, back to staring at her screen already, and Stephen headed to his meeting feeling judged.

Over the next few hours of meetings, Stephen found his stride, despite his exhaustion. By the time noon rolled around, he was feeling mostly like himself again.

He walked into his office to find Inho already there, perched awkwardly on the stiff couch. He was examining the plant on the coffee table.

“Oh hey,” Inho said, jumping up with a warm smile, “I put your keys on the desk, but I have an hour free so I waited for you.” A helmet was sitting on the couch and Inho’s hair was a little sweat-damp, sticking out in chaotic directions.

“Thanks for doing that,” Stephen said, breaking Inho’s tension with an enveloping hug. Inho must not feel comfortable being too familiar at Stephen’s office. It was Jamie’s office too, he supposed, and that must make him feel tense as well. Stephen smirked.

“I um,” Inho glanced at Stephen’s desk where a little box and a small gift bag sat, “I brought you a gift. It’s just something small.” He blushed furiously in Stephen’s arms.

“That’s so thoughtful,” Stephen said, oddly touched and slightly confused. Why was a sex friend bringing him a birthday gift? They walked over to the desk, and Stephen opened the box to find a tiny round cake inside, topped with a maraschino cherry and a candle. He looked up at Inho, who was searching for his lighter. Then, Inho reached over and lit the candle, and in a small voice shaking with embarrassment, sang him Happy Birthday.

Stephen was at a loss for words.

Inho finished singing in a rush, then waited for Stephen to blow out the candle. Which he did.

“Do they sing this song in Korea?” Stephen inquired, still taken aback.

“Nah, but like, I went to American birthday parties when I was a kid. I figured it was the same here… Ah, you’re all awkward, it was weird wasn’t it?”

“No, it was lovely.” It was weird. But, it was also the most precious damn thing Stephen had ever seen.

“It’s just, you said you weren’t close with your family,” Inho reached over and squeezed his hand, “I wanted to be sure you celebrated your birthday with someone anyway.”

Oh no. Stephen thought. No, no, no. It was too much; he felt a swelling in his chest.

“And the gift,” Inho was still going. “It’s just socks. I saw these dress socks with Harold on them, and I thought of you.”

“Harold?” Stephen said numbly, overly aware of how his heart was trying to leave his body and join Inho’s instead.

“Yeah, the uh, the cactus you bought me,” Inho looked embarrassed again.

Stephen peered into the gift bag and pulled out a pair of black socks with happy little cactuses printed on them. They did look exactly like the cactus he’d taken Inho as a housewarming gift.

He laughed, “Harold, right, these are great.” He put them aside, and softly brushed Inho’s cheek with his thumb, “You didn’t need to do any of this, but thank you.”

Inho beamed, and Stephen leaned forward to give him a chaste kiss.

“I don’t have a fork to eat this cake though,” Stephen commented casually, plucked the cherry off the top, and putting it in his mouth. He scooped the whipped cream crown off the top with his finger and licked a bit of it off. “Would you like a taste Inho?” he asked, holding out the rest of the cream.

Inho’s smile dropped; he maintained eye contact and leaned forward to suck the cream off Stephen’s finger without missing a beat.

I’m really in trouble, Stephen thought.