hree : Th

nough to remind everyone this was still about business. The company retreat had become a tradition,The one Ray rarely enjoye

il

ayquan

ves. Dayquan exited the shuttle van just moments behind him, his casual retreat attire a fitted white

ond, thei

ir sh

ked awa

is mind was on Ray. The silence between them had grown louder, h

They hadn't even joked. But the space

ke. Ray had said that. And Dayquan co

cause problems. But he

a knock came

ndwritten note from HR: Dinner at 7PM. Dress c

had to survive this retreat with his sanity intact,

eart hadn't g

, taking a seat near the edge where he could watch people-watch. He recognized a few of the

he anonymity gave

scan

have to

s, the sleeves rolled to his forearms. His watch gleamed under th

rful. Intimidat

an saw th

n Ray's eyes when

t jokes from board members. Dayquan chatted with the finance team. Plates

to the bonfire pit that they crossed paths a

lf?" Ray asked,

as anyone can on a work-

d. "You're

ng unsaid vibrat

ame," Ray added. "No

"Thought it might

his brow. "

loser. "Depends on what I le

es locke

back this time. "Carefu

ps twitched.

g to ignore how good Ray looked in the firelight. That same controlled tension simmered benea

s mad

he trees, pretending to take a phone call,

Ray asked

idn't know you fol

his pockets. "Didn't k

be

t... tired of pretending. We work together,

tened. "I have

ve fool

r. "Dayquan" then

gently but firmly.

ent s

t. But I also didn't think it'd come with weeks o

e. I don't... know how to do this. Espec

problem isn't the job. It's you pretend

silence

oked back. "What if I don'

low step toward

inches a

t was desperate and deep, a kiss that ma

, gripping Ray's collar, pulling

y's breath was unsteady.

oice was su

ced the figure watch

t singl

stay a sec