Shawn turned to the rest of us. “He only storms off when he’s flustered. Adorable, isn’t it?”
Dean snorted. “You’re going to give him a coronary one of these days.”
Sarah shook her head. “Or an identity crisis.”
“Or both,” I said.
“Worth it,” Shawn said. “I consider it a service. Helps him access his emotions. Like therapy, but with fringe benefits.”
“Pretty sure what you’re offering would make any therapist lose their license,” Dean said.
Before anyone could comment further, Brent returned, two coffees in hand, wordlessly placing one in front of Shawn.
Shawn’s teasing expression softened into something sincere and a bit googly-eyed. “Thanks, gorgeous.”
Brent gave a clipped nod. “I poured too much. Didn’t want it to go to waste.”
“Right,” Shawn said. “I’ll let you pretend that’s true, but we both know you like spoiling me.”
Brent leaned into Shawn, voice low. “Don’t get used to it. I only spoil the ones who behave. Next time, you’ll ask for what you want from your knees.”
Shawn’s mouth dropped open before closing then opening again. The king of innuendo, the emperor of quick comebacks, left speechless.
Brent took a long sip of his coffee. “What?” he drawled. “Cat got your tongue, Romeo?”
Shawn made a squeaky noise that did not belong to any grown adult. “I . . . uh . . . knees . . . did you just . . .” He pointed at Brent.
Sarah let out a low whistle. “Well, that’s new.”
“Ever since the baby, my marriage isn’t half as spicy as whatever that was,” Dean said.
“Remind me to keep popcorn on standby for our next meeting,” I said. “This is turning into a spectator sport. Shawn’s been lobbing serves at a brick wall for months, but now the wall has finally hit back.”
“With topspin,” Sarah added, extra emphasis on top.
Dean held out a fist, and she bumped it. “Nice.”
“I try,” she said with a grin.
Shawn finally recovered. “Well, well, well. Someone’s been paying attention during my workshops. That was almost filthy, Brent. I’m so proud of you.”
“Don’t make it weird,” Brent said.
“I hate to break it to you, but we sailed past weird and into erotically charged workplace fanfiction two minutes ago.”
Before Brent could fire back, Paul walked into the conference room, tablet tucked under one arm. Former military like Sarah, he carried the kind of calm, grounded authority that could still a riot with one raised brow. His gaze swept the table, taking in the stunned expressions.
Then his attention landed on Shawn, still wearing the dazed, freshly collared puppy expression.
“Shawn, you good? You look . . . compromised.”
Shawn let out a dreamy sigh, eyes glued to Brent. “Life is full of beautiful, unexpected moments.”
Paul turned to the rest of us. “Is he concussed?”
“Emotionally? Absolutely,” I said.
“Do I want to know?”
