The Law of Attraction

“I don’t think she’s the settling-down type. We’re happy as we are.”

He felt Ed’s gaze on him and deliberately didn’t look in his direction. Uncomfortable with the deception in a way he’d never been before, he wasn’t sure he could carry it off if he caught Ed’s eye.

“So, James. What are you up to this weekend?” Ed asked, diverting the attention of the table away from Alec.

Alec glanced up, wondering whether it was deliberate. Either way, he was grateful the subject of Belinda had been dropped.

Dinner with the partners was the usual tedious mixture of shop talk, social chit-chat, and subtle brown-nosing. Alec was so expert at it after years of practice, that he was able to keep up his end of the conversation even while his mind was wandering.

He’d stayed up late the night before, trying to focus on work, but his thoughts had kept straying to Ed, and they were doing the same this evening while he was supposed to be impressing the partners. Luckily, Henry, one of the senior partners, was deep in a golfing anecdote that only required Alec to nod and chuckle at appropriate moments, so he seemed to be getting away with his daydreaming.

Alec had never been distracted like this before. He was used to being utterly single-minded, able to focus his razor-sharp mind exactly where he chose. But his wayward brain was full of thoughts of Ed.

This was why it was never a good idea to be involved with someone you worked with. Even if Alec wasn’t in the closet, he couldn’t have a relationship with Ed, not while Ed was on his team. It wasn’t against company policy as such, but it was certainly frowned upon. Then again, Ed was only a temp. In a few weeks, he might be gone from Baker Wells completely or would at least have moved on to work elsewhere in the firm. And then….

And then you’ll be free of distractions and able to get back to business as usual, he told himself firmly. Nothing else was an option.

He shook himself free of stupid fantasies and dragged his attention back to Henry, who was waiting for him to reply.

“Absolutely. I’m sure I can fit in a round of golf sometime. It’s been a while, though. I fear my swing may need as much polishing as my clubs.”

Henry chuckled. “It will all come back to you, like riding a bicycle. I’ll have my PA call yours when the weather gets a little warmer, and we can set something up.”

Alec noticed Belinda watching him, her clever eyes narrow and thoughtful. He’d never been able to hide anything from her. That was why she was the only person to know about his sexuality. He had a feeling she was going to get this new secret out of him too.

Sure enough, she rounded on him as soon as they got into the taxi after dinner. “Are you going to tell me what’s up with you? Or am I going to have to drag it out of you?”

Alec could feel her expectant gaze on him. He avoided looking at her, focusing on the street outside instead as their cab pulled into the traffic. It was busy in Covent Garden tonight.

“It’s nothing. Just work stress.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit, Alec Rowland. I’ve seen work stress on you before—it’s a constant state—and this is not it. You’ve been distracted all evening. Now spill.”

There was a long pause. Alec bit his lip and frowned, reluctant to put his dilemma into words.

“Alec?” Concern crept into Belinda’s voice and she put a perfectly manicured hand on his knee. “You’re worrying me now. Are you ill or something?”

“God, no. Stop being such a drama queen. It’s nothing like that. I just….” He turned to her and lowered his voice. “I met someone a couple of weeks ago, and by ‘met’ I mean fucked. And then he showed up at work. He’s the new guy on my team.”

Her eyes flew wide and her mouth softened into a gentle “oh” of understanding. Because if anyone knew how closely he’d guarded his secret and how deep his fear of discovery was, it was Belinda.

“Does anyone else know?” she asked.

“No.”

“Is he out?”

“Yes. Out and proud. He makes it look so fucking easy.” Bitterness flooded Alec’s words.

She squeezed his knee in sympathy. “I can see it must be freaking you out having to work with him. But surely he just wants to do his job. Can’t you both pretend it never happened?”

Alec let out a bitter chuckle. “If only.”

She frowned, the cogs turning, and Alec saw the inevitable realisation dawn.

“Oh my God. After all these years, someone’s finally got to you? Fucking hell. I didn’t think it was possible. Mr No Strings Attached is finally hooked.”

He didn’t bother to try denying it. What was the point? “If you could sound less gleeful about it, that would help.” He glared at her. “This isn’t something to be excited about. It’s a fucking disaster.”