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“Hey, Ed.” Alec’s voice came out sounding a little forced, full of over-the-top bravado. He toned it down, trying to sound casual as Ed turned his head to look at him expectantly. “Any chance of a round of coffees? It might not be in your job description, but traditionally the buck stops with the newbie.”
“Oh, of course. There’s a machine in the kitchen, isn’t there? Or do you need me to go out for them?”
“From the machine is fine.”
“Okay.” Ed stood and grabbed a pen and a Post-it note. “You’d better place your orders, then.”
Alec followed Ed with his gaze as Ed took orders from each of the team in turn. Katherine’s office door was closed and she was deep in conversation on her phone. Ed hesitated, obviously wondering whether to knock or not.
“Don’t disturb her.” Alec warned him. “She’ll have tea, white, no sugar. Make sure you use skimmed milk.”
“Thanks, will do.”
Ed’s sudden smile made him look ridiculously young. Alec remembered how Ed had looked in the club the first time he’d seen him, that grin lighting up his face and drawing Alec in like a magnet. He suppressed the instinctive urge to smile back, just nodding slightly before turning back to his desk.
Alec was on his way back from a meeting with the guys in Real Estate when he took a detour to the bathroom. The sight of a familiar figure at the urinals sent a jolt of nerves through him. This might not be the ideal place to talk, but they were currently alone and it was the best chance he’d had all day without anyone overhearing them.
He shifted his weight uncomfortably from foot to foot. Luckily, Ed was finishing, zipping himself back up, so Alec didn’t have to wait like a creepy lurker for long. “Hi,” he said as Ed turned around and saw him standing there, just inside the closed door that led out to the corridor.
“Am I allowed to talk to you now?” Ed’s voice had an edge to it as he walked over to the sinks and started washing his hands. He met Alec’s gaze in the mirrors, his blue eyes challenging.
“I don’t think having this conversation in our office space would be in either of our best interests, do you?” Alec clenched his fist in his pocket, irritated by Ed’s attitude, by his very presence that threatened Alec’s orderly existence.
Ed shook the water off his hands and used a paper towel to dry them. “Well, you’d better make it quick.” He balled the towel up and threw it into the bin with perfect aim. He turned and leaned back against the sinks, arms folded, waiting.
Alec bit down on his rising annoyance, determined not to give Ed the upper hand in this situation. “I just wanted to make sure you realise it would be a very bad idea to let anyone know about what happened on Friday night.” He gritted his teeth, willing himself not to flush as he alluded to their night together.
Ed’s cheeks were pink and his eyes glittered in the bright spotlights that were positioned in the ceiling. “I already told you I wouldn’t,” he said tightly. “I’m not completely stupid. I want to focus on work and do my job. I’m hardly going to go around bragging that I’ve fucked my new boss.”
His words made bright anger pour through Alec, and heat flooded his face and neck. He opened his mouth to retort, but Ed spoke again before he could find the words.
“Look. I don’t want anyone to know either. Not because I’m ashamed of my sexuality, but our little encounter on Friday night doesn’t make for a fun anecdote that I’ll be sharing with my new colleagues. I’m a professional, and I’m planning on behaving like one.”
“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page.” Alec relaxed a little at Ed’s assurances.
“I presume you’re not out at work, then?” Ed raised his eyebrows.
“I’m not out full stop.” Alec met Ed’s blue gaze and saw it soften, almost imperceptibly.
Ed paused for a moment before he spoke again. “That sounds lonely. But don’t worry. I’m not going to out you.”
Somehow Alec knew he could trust him. He nodded and swallowed around a lump that had appeared in his throat. “Thanks.”
“But just so you know, I’m not planning on pretending to be anything I’m not. People often assume anyway.” Ed shrugged. “I’m not very good at flying under people’s gaydar.”
Alec’s lips quirked. “I can imagine.” There was a flamboyance to Ed, a brightness he didn’t try to hide.
“These days, when it comes up, I tell people. I prefer to be upfront about it. I wouldn’t have minded being in the closet at school, but it wasn’t really an option.” The tone in Ed’s voice made it clear he wasn’t joking.
“They gave you a hard time?”
