[The food, the future party, both were safe, easy distractions to fall back on. And if the meal had lost some of its savour, well, that was fine. Edward was still hungry and still had to deal with his annoying coworkers tomorrow and for some time still to come.
He chuckled at Jason's reply, the younger man's wit fortunately not discouraged by the slip. The promise was a good one, even if the refusal of extra money felt like another reminder of their boundaries. They had negotiated terms already, and it also wasn't unreasonable to think that extra payment might lead to extra expectations. Pushing away the flare of frustration and something worse (his father would have plenty to say about Edward having dinner with a man he had to pay to be there), Edward fell back on practised professionalism.]
I look forward to seeing it.
[His smirk disappeared, fading into a confused frown as Jason apologised. Staring at the younger man for a long moment, Edward set his burger down again.]
Why would that bother me? You're practically a ghost; it's more than I- [He... shouldn't admit to having tried to stalk Jason online. That didn't tend to go over very well.] Have learned about your history every other time we've spoken.
[But that was doubtless the issue. Waving a hand airily, Edward dismissed the issue.] You're a private person; I can respect that. [Given he had no option but to.] I'm hardly going to demand you start sharing everything with me. We're just sharing a meal after what's been a long day for us both.
[As much as a petulant part of him wanted to point out, it had been Jason's idea to get dinner in the first place. The excuse was there to take, a long day, some thoughtless words. Another easy way out of the awkwardness.]
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He chuckled at Jason's reply, the younger man's wit fortunately not discouraged by the slip. The promise was a good one, even if the refusal of extra money felt like another reminder of their boundaries. They had negotiated terms already, and it also wasn't unreasonable to think that extra payment might lead to extra expectations. Pushing away the flare of frustration and something worse (his father would have plenty to say about Edward having dinner with a man he had to pay to be there), Edward fell back on practised professionalism.]
I look forward to seeing it.
[His smirk disappeared, fading into a confused frown as Jason apologised. Staring at the younger man for a long moment, Edward set his burger down again.]
Why would that bother me? You're practically a ghost; it's more than I- [He... shouldn't admit to having tried to stalk Jason online. That didn't tend to go over very well.] Have learned about your history every other time we've spoken.
[But that was doubtless the issue. Waving a hand airily, Edward dismissed the issue.] You're a private person; I can respect that. [Given he had no option but to.] I'm hardly going to demand you start sharing everything with me. We're just sharing a meal after what's been a long day for us both.
[As much as a petulant part of him wanted to point out, it had been Jason's idea to get dinner in the first place. The excuse was there to take, a long day, some thoughtless words. Another easy way out of the awkwardness.]