Charlies's grin vanished instantly. He rushed through his goodbye with Brian before hustling over to the car. His guilt made him hesitate at the vehicle's edge. Rather than climbing in immediately, he bent toward the driver's window with an uncomfortable yet courteous voice: "Well hello there, gorgeous! Waiting for someone special?"
Malcolm gave him a withering stare. "Cut the act. Get in the damn car."
"Yes sir!" Charlies shot back.
He scrambled into the passenger seat with eager compliance, clicked his seatbelt into place, and folded his hands properly in his lap. "Ready when you are."
The vehicle sped off, abandoning the remaining group at the lab building's entrance in stunned quiet.
Benjamin finally broke the silence with an outburst: "Holy shit! When did Prince Charlies turn into such a damn puppy?"
Ivan added with uncertainty, "Maybe... it's just dudes being drawn to other dudes?"
Everyone cracked up at that.
