“Thank you,” he said again. From Katherine, that meant a lot. She gave praise sparingly, so it was all the more precious when it came.
“There’s nothing to thank me for. Now go and take your team out for a drink, they’ve earned it. I’ll talk to you next week about the new deal.”
“Will do. Have a good weekend, Katherine.” Alec stood and was about to leave when Katherine spoke again.
“Oh, I almost forgot. How did Ed perform on the team? From what I saw, he did well.”
“He did.” Alec flushed, hoping his expression wouldn’t betray his feelings. He tried to tamp them down and regain his objectivity. Ed was good at his job, and Alec wasn’t about to fuck it up for him. “He’s got a lot of potential. He’s thorough, hardworking, and was a valuable member of the team.”
“Do you want to keep him on for the next deal? It’s your call. If he’s valuable to you, then you could keep him on, or even encourage him to apply for a permanent position.”
Alec hesitated. If he seemed too keen to let Ed go, it wouldn’t look good for Ed, but his life would be easier if Ed were in a different department. “Well, he’s been an asset. But I happen to know his ambitions lie in employment law. Perhaps you could put in a word for him and see whether they have any work for him over there?”
“Okay.” Katherine nodded. “That makes sense. Maybe we can move him over to Employment. They have a sexual harassment case brewing that looks like it’s going to be a big one. They’re putting a team together for that at the moment, I believe. I’ll make some calls and see what I can do.”
Alec felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Much as he’d miss the day-to-day contact with Ed, it would be easier this way. Alec couldn’t do his job if he was pining like a lovesick schoolboy. He’d get over Ed faster if he didn’t have to share an office space with him. When Ed was in the room, it was as though there wasn’t enough oxygen left for Alec. “Sounds good. Thanks. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
“Right, Alec. Go and celebrate, and take some time to relax this weekend. You’ve earned it.”
If only, Alec thought. With his father’s birthday party hanging over his head like an axe, he feared his weekend would be far from relaxing. But he replied smoothly. “Will do. Thanks, Katherine. I’ll see you on Monday.”
Friday-night drinks were extra raucous that night. The culmination of weeks of painstaking work had put them in the mood for celebration. The first round was champagne, on Alec, and the three bottles he’d bought for the six of them to share didn’t last long.
James offered to buy the next round. “I warned Emily I’d be late tonight. I have a free pass, and she even promised to get up with Charlotte in the morning. I have a scheduled hangover, and I’m going to make the most of it.” He seemed well on the way already. His eyes glittered and his cheeks were flushed.
Alec was drinking slowly, spinning out his second glass of champagne and making it last. Partly because he didn’t trust himself to be around Ed if he was drunk, and partly because the last thing he needed when dealing with his parents was to be feeling under par. He found spending time with them difficult enough at the best of times.
Ed wasn’t drinking much either. He’d accepted a drink from James, but after that he switched to lemonade when the others ordered a round of cocktails.
Maria asked Ed about his weekend plans.
“I’m going home to see my family,” Ed replied. “I haven’t seen them since Christmas because I’ve been so busy with work. My littlest sisters have been pestering me relentlessly via iMessage for the last couple of weeks. I can’t take the emoji-induced guilt anymore, so I’ve given in.” Ed smiled. “Seriously, though, I can’t wait to see them all.”
Alec wondered what it must feel like to have a family that made you smile when you thought about visiting them.
The party started to break up around half past nine, with Maria making her excuses first, followed by Jon and Jen.
“But the night is young!” James protested, waving his glass a little wildly and slopping whatever he was currently drinking onto the floor. James had been working his way down the cocktail menu and was rather the worse for wear. “You chaps aren’t going to desert me, are you?” He made puppy eyes at Alec and Ed. “Stay for another?”
Alec met Ed’s amused gaze. Ed shrugged. “I don’t need to rush off.”
Alec wanted an early night, but looking into the clear blue of Ed’s eyes and seeing the smile curving those familiar lips, he couldn’t bring himself to leave.