Power Lines

spent the weekend thinking about Ethan. Not just thinking-reliving. Their second kiss. The feel of Ethan's hand against his back. The sound of his voice when he whispered, "This is real." And now t

opped in front of him, face inches from his. "You really believe that?" "I have to. Otherwise, I'm just showing up to a job every day with a broken heart." The words hung in the air between them-sharp, honest, irreversible. Ethan's shoulders sagged. "I don't want to hurt you, Noah." "Then don't." They stood like that-locked in a moment that could crack everything wide open. Then Ethan stepped forward and kissed him again. It was different this time. Not urgent. Not risky. Just... true. And when he pulled away, his voice was barely above a whisper. "We can't let anyone find out." Noah nodded. "We won't." Ethan's hand lingered on his hip. "But I need to know you're in this. Even if we have to keep it hidden." "I'm in," Noah said. And for now, that was enough. They became masters of the unspoken. Glances across the room. Brief touches passed off as accidents. Texts sent in code and deleted within minutes. Noah never stayed late alone. Neither did Ethan. But they sometimes lingered in the break room after hours, pretending to discuss project specs while their knees brushed under the table. It was thrilling. It was maddening. It was real. Every time they got close, they had to step back. And yet, something in their connection grew stronger in the restraint-like fire denied oxygen. The danger of it made it hotter. The silence made it louder. Then came the offsite. A three-day leadership summit in the Catskills. Twenty executives. Endless panels. Shared rooms. Noah almost declined. But Ethan's eyes caught his during the planning meeting, and that was enough. They both knew what