If anything, the fact that Grigori parked so well caused Howard to choke as he sat down in the driver's seat to pick up June. Yet surprisingly, Grigori returned to the passenger seat. It seemed that their conversation was not done.

The question caused his knuckles to tighten.

"Why would you ask that?" He turned to look at Grigori, though Howard refused to meet his eyes. It gave the game away, yet the admin seemed content to do what archaeologists did best: take a shovel and keep digging.

"I think that she's had enough suffering in her life, and that she's entitled to happiness. She's good at fixing things, is a good mechanic, and is good at fixing things. She's never given up, and she tries to solve her own problems. She's really good at—"

He was rambling.

---

Grigori Sokolov

Grigori figured as much. If the lack of eye contact didn't give it away, then it was the way he started rambling that did. Nobody had so much to say about someone unless there was a strong passion about them. And he certainly didn't have anything bad to say. Grigori sighed.

"Then do not feel the need to fish for my approval," he placed a heavy hand on the archeologists shoulder. "I will not stand in your way. Just... be there for when she needs it most."

Mentally, a realization dawned on him: it was not only his relationship with June that he sabotoged. When the time came, Howard would be forced to pick a side like the girl he loved. 

It would hurt twice as much, but his boss could not afford to choose wrong.

They drove off into the street, barely missing the car in front of him. Grigori remained silent the rest of the way.

---

howard slayte