“Sorry to land this on you so late, but could you get this back to me by eight tomorrow morning?” Always utterly courteous on the surface, Alec kept his voice smooth and polite. “I need it for a telephone meeting with the Scottish accountants.”
“Of course.” Ed did a good job of hiding his frustration, but Alec could read it in the tightness of his jaw as he took the pile of files. “Is it okay if I go through them at home?” He had violet shadows under his eyes and the day’s dusting of stubble on his jaw. He looked like death warmed up, yet he still made Alec’s stomach twist with an unsettling combination of longing and desire.
“Absolutely. As long as it gets done.”
“Okay. See you in the morning.”
Once he’d left, James said, “Don’t you think you’re pushing him a little hard?”
“He can handle it,” Alec replied curtly. “And if he can’t, then I’m doing him a favour. Better to know now so he can find another job. You know it will only get tougher.”
“True. But it’s only his second week.”
“And we’re supposed to be closing this deal in less than six. We can’t afford to give anyone on this team an easy ride.” Alec’s tone brooked no argument and James backed off. Alec remembered those shadows under Ed’s eyes and felt a twinge of guilt. He hoped Ed would manage to get at least a few hours of sleep tonight.
“What’s everyone doing this weekend?” James asked as they sat around their usual table on Friday night.
Alec had been careful to sit well away from Ed. He didn’t want a repeat of last week. One drink and then home, that was the plan.
“Sleeping,” Ed said, lips quirking in a rueful grin. “In between going through the latest batch of figures Alec dumped on me an hour ago.” He caught Alec’s eye.
Alec shrugged. “Sleep is for the weak. Haven’t you learned that yet?” But he smiled, chest tugging as Ed’s grin widened.
“I think the last week has taught me sleep is a luxury, that’s for sure.”
“What about you, Maria? Do you have plans for anything more exciting than sleeping?” James asked.
“I’m having lunch with my brother and his boyfriend tomorrow—or rather, I should say his fiancé. They’re getting married soon.” Maria smiled, her brown eyes softening.
Alec caught Ed’s gaze as everyone around the table chimed in with words of congratulation and started asking her about the wedding plans. He looked away from Ed quickly, trying to focus on what Maria was saying about winter weddings and venues. Longing swelled in his chest like a fist unclenching, and not for the first time he found himself questioning whether staying in the closet had been the right decision. He had success, money, respect… but what might his life be like if he had someone to share it with?
“Alec?” Maria put her hand on his arm, and the room came back into focus.
“What? Sorry, Maria, I was miles away.”
“I was asking you what you’re doing this weekend. All work, no play?” Her voice was deep for such a small woman.
“Depends what you count as work, I suppose,” he replied. “I’m having dinner with Katherine and some of the other partners tomorrow, so it’s somewhere between business and pleasure.”
“Oho.” James raised his glass. “Getting your feet under the table in anticipation?”
They all knew Alec was hoping to make partner this year. He’d been going through the application process for the past few months and would find out soon whether he’d been successful.
“Something like that.” Alec smiled, refusing to be drawn. He already knew his chances were good, but this deal they were working on was crucial. Katherine may be supervising, but it was his baby. If the team pulled it off, Alec would win major brownie points and his promotion almost assured.
“Are you taking the lovely Belinda?” James grinned.
Despite being happily married, he had an embarrassingly obvious crush on her. Belinda tended to have that effect on most straight men. It was ironic, really, when Alec was totally immune, but it came in handy when trying to impress his male colleagues.
“Of course. Who else?”
“When are you going to make an honest woman of her? I can’t believe she puts up with the hours you work when you don’t even live together yet. She must hardly ever see you.” James frowned. “You should put a ring on it before she kicks you to the kerb. Get her settled in that lovely flat of yours with a baby.”
Alec suppressed a smile. Even if he had been dating Belinda, he could imagine how she’d respond to the suggestion of marriage, let alone having a family. Belinda was a free spirit when it came to relationships and utterly career driven. An interior designer who worked for the rich and famous, she was the only person Alec knew who worked as hard as he did—maybe harder.