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“Beef Teef,” I read out. “‘The jerky of choice for the Goliaths’ Tasselled Tussler.’ Oooh, cool, they look like fangs. Or tusks. Wait—they can actually fit over your teeth? Noice.” I tilted the packet up to look inside for some jerky, then pouted when I realised it was empty. “Aw, man.”

“That’s just a mock-up,” Holt said tightly, starting to wheeze a little now as he tried to regulate his breathing. “To see if you’re happy with the branding.”

“I am absolutely not happy with this… utter joke. Get Carl to do it. Or Brian. I’m not the only one with tusks, Holt.”

“They’ll only be sold behind the bar as a snack,” Holt said in a strangled voice. “This is a big win for us, Corey. And you should—hhnngh—be proud that they specifically asked for you to be on the packaging. Plus, it’s an orc-run business. I thought you’d”—he let out a shaky breath—“like that.”

“Well, I refuse.” Corey snatched the packet from me and waved it in the air. “I didn’t consent to this. I don’t even eat jerky. I could sue.”

“I’d be stoked if someone wanted me to endorse their snack,” I said brightly. “Like chips or something.”

Corey huffed. “Sweetie, you’re too good to be the face of a chip brand. Don’t sell yourself short. You could be a fucking runway model if you weren’t working here.”

I perked up. “Really?”

“Maybe we could talk about this another time,” Holt interjected in a tight voice.

“Or I could go get Taylor,” I said helpfully, giving him an innocent smile. “I could’ve sworn he was still in here, but he must be back in his office. I’ll go get him, boss!”

“No!” Holt barked, back to gripping the edge of the desk as he hunched over, breathing like he’d just run a marathon. “I’ll… speak to Taylor… later.”

Corey sniffed and perched his butt on Holt’s desk. It creaked ominously under his weight. “I’d like to speak to Taylor now, actually.”

“Taylor’s very busy,” Holt wheezed.

I snorted. Yeah, Taylor was busy alright. Under Holt’s desk.

Holt glared at me weakly before his expression grew pleading. I sighed, deciding to take pity on him, seeing as Taylor apparently wasn’t, and gave Corey a big smile.

“Hey, Corey, why don’t I set up a proper meeting with Holt and Taylor for next week, once the shows are over? You don’t want to be stressing over this when you have to perform.”

The orc hesitated, stroking Cora’s back as he thought it over. “Only if Holt promises to do nothing with this until we’ve discussed it in full.”

“Of course,” I answered smoothly, while Holt gripped a pencil tightly and flattened his mouth to stay silent. Okay, this was getting less funny and more weird now. I did not want to be in the room when my boss nutted.

Taylor was a kinky little human. He was actually still going under there?

“Alright,” Corey reluctantly agreed after a few more seconds. He stood up from the desk and tossed back his long braid, not even deigning to spare Holt a glance as he swept from the room. “First thing next week, Holt. I’ll check my calendar for availability.”

I hurriedly backed out of the room after him, not wanting to be left behind with my freaky boss and his freaky human boyfriend. Corey was already gone, so I sat down at my desk and immediately picked up my phone to text Seb and tell him what’d just happened.

Five minutes later, Taylor emerged from Holt’s office and strode red-faced across the room to make a hasty exit without saying a word.

—

The next day, I was ready.

I’d decided I had to be brave. I’d been trying to gauge how Seb really felt about me over the last week or so—ever since my conversation with Holt. I still wasn’t all that sure, but I’d decided it didn’t matter. I wanted to tell him. I needed to tell him. If he didn’t feel the same… well, at least I’d tried.

I mean, sure, I’d be totally fucking devastated, but at least I would’ve tried. At least I’d know that I hadn’t missed my shot.

I’d ended up telling Hans everything while we gamed last night, so I was texting back and forth with him all morning as he asked for updates and tried to calm my nerves.

Bro have you done it??? he sent as I fidgeted at my desk, casting furtive glances every few seconds at Seb sitting quietly on the couch doing a crossword.

I haven’t had a chance yet! I sent back, shooting Seb an almost manic grin when he glanced over.

His lips curved into the crooked little smile I loved so much. “You okay?”