“All right, you vultures. I don’t kiss and tell, so you can stop fishing for details.”
“Oh, come on!” Gabriel whines, perching on the edge of my desk. “You can’t leave us hanging like this. We need the gossip!”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “A gentleman never reveals his secrets. Besides, I’m sure you all have much more exciting things to focus on than my love life.”
Gabriel snorts.
“Nope. We love hearing about your love life. For inspiration, you know?” Ryan mutters, earning a playful shove from Luca.
I’m about to retort when Gabriel’s eyes light up with mischief. “Okay, Casanova. How about this—either you spill the juicy details or buy us all donuts. Your choice.”
The others perk up, nodding enthusiastically at the ultimatum. I pretend to consider it for a moment, tapping my chin thoughtfully. “Hmm, let me weigh my options. Betray the trust of a potential…whatever this is…or spend a few bucks on sugary goodness for my favorite coworkers?”
I stand, fishing my wallet out of Benedict’s joggers. “Donuts it is, you nosy bastards.”
A chorus of cheers erupts. As I head for the door, I call over my shoulder, “But don’t think this means you’re off the hook for mercilessly teasing me!”
I step out of the office into the warm morning sun, squinting as I adjust to the brightness. The streets of Lydovia’s capital city are bustling with the usual mid-day crowd, and I can’t help but feel a little self-conscious in Benedict’s borrowed clothes.
Donuts first. Change into uniform second.
The bell above the door jingles as I push it open, the cool air-conditioned interior a welcome respite from the heat outside. I’m making a beeline for the bakery section when I spot a familiar figure browsing the magazine rack.
My heart does a little flip as Benedict looks up, his eyes meeting mine. A slow smile spreads across his face, mirroring my own.
“Fancy meeting you here,” I say, closing the distance between us.
Benedict’s eyes twinkle with amusement. “Yes, this is a pleasant coincidence.”
I notice how good he looks in a crisp button-down and slacks, a far cry from my borrowed athleisure. “Well, you certainly clean up nice,” I tease, gesturing to my outfit. “Unlike some of us.”
He laughs, the sound warming me from the inside out. “I don’t know. I think my clothes suit you rather well. Though perhaps we should get you some that actually fit?”
I’m about to respond when I remember my mission. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m actually here on official donut duty. Apparently, my colleagues aren’t satisfied with wild speculation about my whereabouts last night.”
Benedict’s eyebrows raise slightly. “Oh? And what have you told them?”
“Nothing,” I assure him quickly. “Hence the donut bribe. I don’t kiss and tell.”
His expression softens, and I swear I see a hint of relief in his eyes. “I appreciate that, Zeke. Really.”
We stand there for a moment, just smiling at each other like idiots, and I can’t help but think how easy this feels. How right. But a small voice in the back of my head wonders how long it can last.
“Well,” I say finally, breaking the silence. “I should probably grab those donuts before my coworkers stage a mutiny.”
Benedict nods, still smiling. “Of course. Don’t let me keep you.”
As I turn toward the bakery section, I can’t shake the feeling that this chance encounter means something. That maybe, just maybe, there’s more to this than I initially thought.
“Hey, are you free this weekend?” I ask, stopping again to face him.
“Sure.”
“I’ll pick you up Saturday morning. There’s a place I want to show you.”
He nods and smiles.
I finally go. I have a donut debt to settle and questions to avoid answering.
