Lee pushed through the revolving brass door, Marshall just behind him. Back on the sidewalk, they paused to get their bearings and catch their breath. The business meeting had lasted longer than they'd expected, but it had been worth it.
Marshall squinted at the reflected glare of the sun's rays that bounced off the huge glass buildings that surrounded them. They didn't have anything like this in Burnham. The only time he saw structures this big was on their periodic visits to San Antonio. It was nice now and then, but he preferred living the way they did to being part of this noise. Marshall reached into his pocket and brought out his sunglasses. There, that was better.
"Now that's a good morning."
Other people might not be able to tell how Lee was with their morning's efforts. For the most part, he maintained a stoic demeanor, but Marshall knew how to read him. Like a well-thumbed book.
"You did a good job, Marshall."
Marshall warmed at Lee's words of praise. "You're the one that sold him. I just talked software with him, listened to what he wanted, and told him how I could do it."
"And make it better. Don't be so modest. He was impressed, and rightly so. I'm very proud of you." Lee glanced up and down the street before raising his hand. Immediately, a yellow taxicab materialized at the curb in front of them.
It wasn't until they were in the backseat, and safely away from the curious eyes of anyone on the street, that Lee kissed him. Marshall understood and wasn't offended. It wasn't easy to be openly gay in Texas, even now, especially in some of the bigger cities. The last thing they wanted or needed was to get into trouble, or draw attention to themselves. Luckily, the people of Burnham knew them and never judged them for who they were.
"How about a little lunch, and then we can go shopping?"
Marshall was tempted to say shopping first, especially as he knew the particular store Lee had in mind, but he knew from long experience that anticipation was just an aphrodisiac of a different sort. Besides, he needed to fuel himself for the night ahead. The very thought of what was coming made him smile. "Sounds good," he replied.