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The door to Austin's luxurious brownstone swung open with a sense of grandeur, revealing my business partners and friends, Hugo, Logan and Austin. The golden hues of the setting sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making the room even more inviting.
"Ah, there he is! The man of the hour," Austin greeted me, his piercing blue eyes crinkling at the corners as he grinned. I rolled my eyes playfully at his remark before stepping inside.
"Shut your pie-hole, Austin," I retorted, unable to hide the small smile that tugged at the corner of my lips. "What's so special about today?"
"Nothing in particular," Hugo chimed in, his Italian accent lingering with every syllable. He raised an eyebrow and added, "Except maybe your not-so-secret love affair with your new subordinate, Calla."
"Damn it, Hugo, don't start," I muttered, feeling my cheeks heat up with embarrassment.
"Start what?" Aunt Charlotte asked innocently as she entered the room, her refined Bostonian accent contrasting sharply with Hugo's. She was Austin's aunt but really was like a mother-hen to us all, often feeding us during med school. She was there when we needed a meal or a motherly chat. She was followed closely by Serena, Austin's girlfriend, who was positively beaming with mischief as they both took their seats on the plush couch.
"Austin tells me Dom has taken quite a liking to some Calla from the medical center," Serena said, smirking. "Isn't that right, Dom?"
"Come on, guys," I protested, attempting to downplay their insinuations. "Calla is a young, attractive woman who happens to work at the office and yes, we may have developed a connection. There's no need to make a big deal out of it."
"Sure, sure," Austin said, feigning agreement while exchanging knowing glances with the others. "But you have to admit, things are getting a little heated. We all agree, she might be perfect. Not only is she young and attractive, she is very intelligent, too."
"Indeed, she is. I’ve caught a glimpse of her a few times I’ve visited the medical center," Aunt Charlotte chimed in, her gaze fixed on me with a hint of amusement. "It's only natural that you'd be drawn to her, Dominic. Va-va voom and brains." Then of course, she fucking winks.
"Come on, guys," I protested, rolling my eyes at their relentless teasing. "Calla and I work together. If there is something, you'll never see it at the office." I tried not to think about the steamy session we had in the office. No one had to know about that. "Our relationship will be strictly professional, as far as you guys are going to see."
"Strictly professional?" Austin echoed, his eyebrows raised in mock surprise. "Funny, there was apparently some shenanigans on Friday night and the way you've been looking at her in the office doesn't seem strictly professional to me."
"Really, Dom," Logan chimed in, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You might think you're being subtle, but we've known you long enough to recognize when you're smitten."
"Smitten? That's a bit strong, don't you think?" I shot back, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Damn them for noticing what I had hoped to keep under wraps. At least while I'm figuring out my feelings.
"Alright, fine," Austin conceded, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Let's just say you've developed a... keen interest in Calla."
"An interest which seems to have manifested itself in numerous stolen glances, lingering touches, and an almost constant awareness of her presence," Logan added, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
"Jesus, guys, can we drop it already? You're all starting to sound like a fucking romance novel," I groaned, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "Oops, sorry Aunt Charlotte." Turning back to the guys, "Even if I was attracted to Calla and something happened, it wouldn't change our working relationship."
"Sure, sure," Hugo said, joining in on the fun. "We believe you, Dom. Just keep hiding your feelings from us. We know you well enough that even if you don't want to admit it to us, they are waving like flags. At least they aren't red flags, otherwise we would tell you."
I sighed, struggling to maintain my composure. Internally, I cursed myself for not letting my guard down around them. They knew me too well, and it was only a matter of time before they would piece together my true feelings for Calla.
"Alright, we'll let it go... for now," Logan relented, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "But don't think we won't be watching you, Dom."
"Fine," I huffed, trying to shift the conversation away from Calla and my growing attraction to her. "Now, can we please talk about something else?"
"Very well," Austin agreed, leaning back in his chair and taking a sip of his drink. "But remember, Dominic, everything we resist just becomes a bigger issue. Just admit it, tell us you think she's amazing. Just enjoy it. No big deal. Like us, you know, we're all enjoying life and we just want you to enjoy it too."
"Thanks for the advice, Dr. Phil," I muttered under my breath, knowing deep down that they were right, and referencing the TV psychologist. As much as I wanted to deny it, my feelings for Calla were growing stronger by the day—and soon enough, I would have to confront them. But for now, all I could do was try to bury those emotions beneath a façade of professionalism, desperately hoping that they wouldn't bubble to the surface and threaten everything I had worked so hard to achieve.
"Anyway," Aunt Charlotte chimed in, her voice cutting through the teasing banter. "I think it's high time Dominic had a date for our upcoming F2 Foundation Partner Celebration Gala, don't you all agree?"
"Absolutely," Serena nodded with an enthusiastic grin. "And who better than Calla?"
"Wait a minute," I protested, feeling my cheeks flush with heat at the suggestion. "It's not like I have to take her as my date. I mean, the entire office will be there, anyway. Why make it some kind of official date?"
"Come on, Dom," Logan said, slapping me on the back. "You don't have to hide this relationship, if that's what it is. It's not like you're asking her to a seedy motel for some clandestine rendezvous. It's a gala event—respectable, high class, and for a good cause. She can be there as part of the office staff so you can still fly under the radar if that's what your scaredy-pants dick wants to do. But it's a great chance for her to meet some of our F2 Foundation partners. And hey, why not show everyone that you're more than a serious numbers guy?"
"Exactly," Austin chimed in, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It might do you some good to let loose a little. You've been wound up tighter than a damn Swiss watch lately."
"Fine," I grumbled, acutely aware of the eyes now focused on me, and hating every minute of it. "I'll consider it. But only because it's for a good cause."
"Good man!" Aunt Charlotte exclaimed, raising her glass in a toast. "To new beginnings and finding happiness where we least expect it."
